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Licence guide · South Africa

How to fly drones for money in South Africa.

To fly paid jobs in South Africa you need a pilot certificate from the SACAA, an operator certificate to fly under, a registered and approved drone, and insurance. This guide explains each step in order.

Last checked September 2026. Rules change, so always check with the SACAA before you fly.

Step by step

From drone owner to paid pilot.

The SACAA changed the names in 2023. Many schools and SACAA pages still use the old names: RPL for the pilot licence, ROC for the operator certificate and RLA for the drone approval.

  1. 1

    Choose an approved training school

    Train at a SACAA-approved training organisation (ATO). The school teaches the theory and the flying, and prepares you for the tests.

    Who:
    SACAA-approved school
    Time:
    A few days of theory, plus flight training
    • You must be 18 or older
    • You need a good level of English
    • You also need a radio certificate (restricted radiotelephony). Ask the school to include it
    • Choose the category for your drone: multirotor (MR), helicopter (H) or aeroplane (A)
  2. 2

    Get a medical certificate

    The SACAA currently asks for a Class 3 aviation medical from a SACAA-approved doctor. For some basic ratings the rules allow a self-declared medical. Your school tells you which one you need.

    Who:
    SACAA-approved aviation doctor
    Valid:
    Depends on your age
    • Book it early, before your skills test
    • Keep a copy with your other documents
  3. 3

    Pass the theory exam and the skills test

    Pass the SACAA theory exam, then a practical skills test with an examiner. The dates are strict, so plan them with your school.

    Who:
    SACAA exam and a designated examiner
    • Pass the theory exam no more than 90 days before the skills test
    • Take the skills test within 60 days of finishing your training
    • Apply to the SACAA for your certificate within 30 days
    • Most paid jobs need the VLOS rating (visual line of sight)
  4. 4

    Fly under an operator certificate (UASOC)

    A pilot certificate alone does not allow paid jobs. The flight must also run under a UAS Operating Certificate (UASOC, formerly ROC). For commercial work the operator also needs an Air Service Licence (ASL).

    Who:
    SACAA (UASOC) and the Air Service Licensing Council (ASL)
    Time:
    Your own takes many months
    • Most new pilots fly under a company's UASOC
    • Your own UASOC needs an operations manual, a safety system and security checks
    • The ASL has South African ownership rules
    • Kiteshot's partner programme lets you fly our jobs under a partner operator's certificate
  5. 5

    Register and approve each drone

    Each drone needs a SACAA registration certificate, a registration mark and a UAS Letter of Approval (UASLA, formerly RLA).

    Who:
    SACAA
    Valid:
    UASLA: 12 months
    • There is no weight exemption for paid work. Small drones need this too
    • Put the registration mark on the drone
    • Carry the registration certificate and the UASLA when you fly
  6. 6

    Get insured

    The operator must have third-party liability insurance at all times. The insurance section below explains what to ask for.

    Who:
    A drone or aviation insurer
    • The policy can be in your name or your operator's name
    • It must cover commercial flights
  7. 7

    Join Kiteshot

    Apply as a pilot. A person checks your documents within 5 working days. Then you fly a paid test job and start getting job offers.

    Time:
    Document check in 5 working days
    • No operator certificate yet? Choose "No ROC yet" when you apply
    • Our editors do the editing, maps and reports for every job
    • We remind you before your documents expire

Insurance

What insurance you need.

Insurance protects you and your customer if something goes wrong. For paid work in South Africa it is required.

The law

Part 101 says the operator must be adequately insured for third-party liability at all times. It does not set a minimum amount.

  • Third-party liability

    Pays for injury to people and damage to property caused by your flight. This is the most important cover.

  • Cover for paid work

    Check that the policy covers commercial flights. Many hobby and home policies do not.

  • Cover for your drone

    Pays for damage to your drone or its loss. It is not required by law, but a crash can be expensive.

  • Your customer's rules

    Some customers and sites ask for a minimum amount of cover. Check before you accept the job.

When you fly

The main rules for every flight.

These are the main limits in Part 101. Your operator can fly outside some of them only with SACAA approval.

  • Height

    No higher than 400 ft (about 120 m) above the ground.

  • People, buildings and roads

    Stay 50 m away from people, buildings and public roads. Never fly over people.

  • Airports

    Stay at least 10 km from an aerodrome, unless your operator has approval.

  • Restricted places

    Do not fly near prisons, police stations, courts or national key points, or in restricted airspace.

  • Controlled airspace

    Only with approval in the operator's operations manual, in good weather, below 400 ft and in radio contact with air traffic control.

  • Night and beyond sight

    Night flights and flights beyond visual line of sight need approval on the operator's certificate.

Keep it valid

Renewals and records.

  • Your pilot certificate is valid for 24 months. Do a revalidation check in the 90 days before it expires.
  • Renew your medical before it expires. How long it lasts depends on your age.
  • The UAS Letter of Approval for each drone lasts 12 months.
  • The operator renews the UASOC every 12 months.
  • Keep a logbook of your flight time, and keep your records for 5 years.

Kiteshot tracks the expiry dates on your documents and reminds you before anything expires.

Common mistakes

Things new pilots often get wrong.

  • Thinking the pilot licence is enough

    You also need a UASOC and an Air Service Licence, or you must fly for an operator who has them.

  • Thinking small drones are exempt

    There is no weight exemption for business use. A small drone needs the same approvals.

  • Calling business use private

    Private means no business purpose at all. Flying for your own business counts as corporate or commercial.

How Kiteshot helps

We help with the licence. Then we find you the work.

  • Partner training schools near you
  • A partner operator programme, so you can fly our jobs under a partner's UASOC
  • Local jobs with the pay agreed before you accept
  • Our editors do all the editing, maps and reports
  • Reminders before your documents expire
Check my drone Already licensed? Apply as a pilot

Questions

Questions about licences.

Something else? Email [email protected].

Official sources

This guide is general information, not legal advice. The SACAA rules and your partner school have the final word.

South Africa
Is the RPL the same as the RPC?
Yes. In 2023 the SACAA renamed the Remote Pilot Licence (RPL) to Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC). The ROC became the UASOC, and the RLA became the UASLA. Many people still use the old names.
How long does it take?
The training takes a few days to a few weeks, depending on the school. Then the SACAA issues your certificate. Your own operator certificate takes much longer, so most new pilots fly under a partner's.
What does it cost?
The school sets the training fee. The SACAA also charges fees for the certificate, the exams, registration and approvals. It publishes these fees and updates them every year.
Can I use a small drone, like a DJI Mini, for paid work?
Yes, if it is registered and approved and you fly under a UASOC. There is no weight exemption for paid work.
Do I need my own operator certificate?
No. You can fly under a company's UASOC. Kiteshot's partner programme can match you with a partner operator.