Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) Pilot

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) Pilot. A Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Pilot operate the start-up, lift-off, flight and set down of a remotely piloted aircraft system under 7kg. A qualified learner will be able to: • Operate the lift-off of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems. • Fly Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems. • Land Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems.

As the Fourth Industrial Revolution reshapes how we live, work, and communicate, it is impacting government, education, healthcare, commerce and almost every aspect of life. Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) technology is at the heart of these changes and the development of the skills and knowledge to thrive in this environment has a great potential for job creation and poverty alleviation in South African communities. It will increase the potentiality of the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Pilots to be employed, while it will ensure the upward mobility of individuals with the entrepreneurial spirit to move confidently towards self-employment. This qualification is for people working in the RPAS industry. Typical learners are school-leavers as well as existing personnel working in the RPAS industry. The exponential growth for the use of an RPAS, which are also known as drones, for work and commercial purposes in industries such as emergency services, the police service, research, collection and surveying has led to a huge demand in the market for more qualified personnel to attend to various issues that arise with the usage and support for RPAS operations. RPAS are already being used as a business tool to access high, difficult or unsafe places and as a result, many sectors are ramping up their usage, using them for disaster management, infrastructure, agriculture, surveillance and resource purposes. RPAS are being considered to move freight and are even being used in a military sense. This qualification reflects the workplace-based needs of the RPAS environment in the Republic of South Africa (RSA) that are expressed by this growing upward trend in the market. Currently the RPAS repair environment is proliferated with individuals who are trained on the job without adequate formal qualifications, hence the need for a formal qualification on the NQF targeted at people who wish to join the RPAS industry, or those that are currently working in this industry as salespersons and repairers. They will be performing duties related to operating RPAS for disaster management, infrastructure, agriculture, surveillance, commercial, military, etc. This qualification will empower the learners with the required skills that will allow them to enter this market of RPAS with the skills and knowledge to work either in the sales stream or the technical stream. It will permit individuals to increase their employability or become self-employed by starting their own small businesses with a potential of employing others. Furthermore, the qualification will benefit societies by ensuring better quality services including environmental protection, efficient spraying of crops, crime prevention, medical lifesaving efficiency, transportation goods etc. The sector will benefit from Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Pilots with a set of competencies aligned to industry regulated standards for services. The economy will benefit from increased revenue due to increased employment opportunities and entrepreneurship due to emerging SMME's that will create employment and pay tax. The availability of suitably qualified Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Pilots will improve the safe working environment especially as these devices are in the close proximity of the public. Upon completion, the qualification will provide learners with opportunities for professional development and career advancement within the broader RPAS environment, including, RPAS Technician, Senior Pilots, Team Leaders, Master Pilots, Sales Officers, Sales Representatives, Senior Sales Representatives, RPAS Centre Managers, etc. There are no similar qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF)

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): • Learners will gain access to the qualification through RPL for Access as provided for in the QCTO RPL Policy. RPL for access is conducted by accredited education institution, skills development provider or workplace accredited to offer that specific qualification/part qualification. • Learners who have acquired competencies of the modules of a qualification or part qualification will be exempted from modules through RPL. • Learners will be awarded credits for or towards the qualification or part qualification through RPL as provided in the QCTO RPL Policy. RPL for credits provides for the formal award of credits for, or towards a qualification or part-qualification registered on the NQF. RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: • An NQF Level 3 with communication.

• Demonstrate the ability to remove, upgrade and install software and firmware used for remotely Piloted aircraft systems according to manufacturer's specifications and procedures.
• Set up, dismantle and operate the lift off and landing of a remotely piloted aircraft system according to standard operating procedures and within legal parameters.
• Fly remotely piloted aircraft systems according to standard operating procedures and within legal parameters.