Anyone can apply for a remote pilot licence (RePL), but you only need one if you want to:
- be a remote pilot for an individual or business that holds a remotely piloted aircraft operator's certificate (ReOC)
- fly a drone or remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) that weighs more than 25 kg but less than 150 kg over your own land.
You do not need a RePL if you're:
- eligible to operate a drone that is a micro RPA (250 g or less) or an excluded category RPA. The excluded categories include RPA that are either:
- more than 250 g but no more than 2 kg
- more than 2 kg but less than 25 kg (only over your own land)
- flying for fun.
The requirements
If you have your RePL, you can:
- work as a remote pilot for an individual or business that holds a ReOC, or apply for your own ReOC
- fly a drone more than 25 kg but not more than 150 kg for commercial purposes over your own land, without a ReOC.
Your RePL will show the type and weight category of drone you can fly. This includes:
- less than 7 kg
- less than 25 kg
- less than 150 kg (type specific ratings only)
- more than 150 kg (type specific ratings only).
A RePL does not expire. There is no minimum age to get a RePL.
Medium RPA flown over your own land
You can fly a drone weighing more than 25kg but not more than 150 kg over your own land for business or as part of your job. This is provided you do not accept any type of payment for the services.
This is the landowner or private landholder excluded category. You do not need a ReOC to fly a drone in this category.
Examples of the types of operations you can do under this excluded category include:
- aerial spotting
- crop, livestock or equipment inspections
- land surveying
- agricultural operations
- carrying cargo.
You must:
- get a remote pilot licence for the type and model of drone you intend to fly
- only fly your drone within the standard operating conditions
- not accept payment for the services you provide
- keep the required operational records.
Get your RePL
To get a RePL, you must follow these steps.