Drone Training Pilot Courses – 101 and 102 RPAS Training
Drone Training is operated by Aviation Training Limited, a CAA-approved Part 141 organisation (#TR85222), providing certified quality UAV training and Part 102 certification support for UAV pilots and operators (in addition to our professional helicopter check and training services).
Who Are Our CAA-Approved Drone Courses For?
- Anyone operating a UAV in New Zealand who needs to ensure compliance with CAA Part 101 rules.
- Operators intending to conduct flights outside of Part 101 standard operating rules, which requires certification under a Part 102 certificate.
- Commercial operators requiring training and assessment on the specific equipment they are utilizing.
- Pilots intending to operate within 4km of an aerodrome, as these operations require specific certification and training.
- Operators seeking the confidence to fly legally and the knowledge to utilize the extended privileges and clearances available to a 102-certified operator.
- Current UAV pilots looking to mitigate the risk of regulatory breach, enforcement action, or equipment confiscation due to a lack of knowledge.
- Operators who intend to conduct advanced operations, such as flying in built-up areas, above 400 feet, or at night.
Key Considerations for Drone Operators
If you answer “Yes” to any of the following, you may be unknowingly breaching Civil Aviation Rules:
- Have you had less than 20 hours of drone flying experience?
- Are you intending to fly over groups of people or property you do not own or occupy?
- Are you using your drone for commercial purposes?
- Do you lack specific airspace knowledge regarding your intended flight area (e.g., within 4km of an airport/airstrip or hospital)?
- Are you unsure of your legal obligations as a private drone pilot under CAA Part 101?
If you are uncertain, please review our guide on Part 101 operations or contact us. We can provide an information pack or discuss your requirements at 027 315 2265.
About Our Instructors
Our instructors are experienced, fully licensed aeroplane and helicopter pilots and examiners. We offer a comprehensive training syllabus under our Part 141 certification, providing professional aviation insights into airspace, airmanship, and protocol. We teach from a practical, safety-first perspective to ensure you are fully regulation-compliant.
Potential Consequences of Non-Compliance
There are increasing instances of UAV pilots facing fines, prosecution, or confiscation of drones due to a lack of understanding of airspace rules. Safety incidents in controlled airspace can have severe legal and financial consequences for operators and the wider aviation industry.
CAA-Compliant 102 Exposition Services
To operate under Part 102, the CAA requires an approved Operating Exposition—a detailed document outlining your safety management and operating procedures. Creating this document is a technical requirement, and the CAA charges hourly audit fees for reviews. We recommend commissioning a professional to ensure your manual suite meets all regulatory expectations on the first submission.
We provide 102 operational exposition writing services through our partnership with Aviation Dynamics Ltd. Their suite of manuals and forms is tailored to your specific Part 102 needs, which you will fully own. Ongoing amendment services are also available to keep your documentation current.
What You Will Learn
- Interpretation of Civil Aviation Rules (Parts 101 & 102).
- Airspace management: Controlled vs. uncontrolled airspace, VNCs, and NOTAMs.
- Airshare: Procedures for logging flights and obtaining ATC authorization.
- Airmanship, hazard mitigation, and flight planning to protect your equipment and ensure safety.
- Technical proficiency: Drone maintenance, battery care, and systems knowledge.
- Meteorology and its impact on small unmanned aircraft.
- Privacy obligations regarding people and property.
- Case studies and scenarios regarding sharing the sky with manned aircraft.
Optional Helicopter Flight
Book a weather-dependent optional helicopter flight to observe your operating environment from a professional pilot’s perspective. Your pilot will demonstrate a true “sight picture” of controlled airspace and provide a practical demonstration of how manned aircraft interact with the airspace at heights where drones operate.
Refresher Courses and Competency Assessments
Your Part 101/102 certificate is valid for 2 years. We provide:
- Refresher Training: A 3–4 hour course covering regulatory updates and a practical competency demonstration.
- Operational Competency Assessments (OCA): For pilots operating under a company’s Part 102 certificate, we conduct annual theory and flight assessments as required by the operator’s Exposition.
