CAA Requirements for South African Drone Pilots

1. Overview

Commercial drone operations in South Africa are regulated under Part 101 of the South African Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs). The remote-pilot certificate (RPC) is issued under Part 71 (it was formerly called an RPL). The operator certificate is the ROC, also known as UASOC. Hire-or-reward flying also requires an Air Services Licence under CAR 101.04.1(1)(b). Lofft does not hold a ROC and does not operate aircraft.

• You must hold a valid Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) issued under Part 71, with category and rating matching the work.
• The unmanned aircraft that will fly must hold a SACAA Certificate of Registration (C of R).
• The flight must be under a valid ROC (UASOC) and OpSpec: you are the holder, or listed crew of a holder. Unattached freelancers flying outside a registered ROC cannot list for commercial contract work on Lofft.
• Hire-or-reward flying requires an Air Services Licence (ASL) held by the operator (the ROC holder), not by a job client unless that client is itself the ROC / ASL holder.
• You must carry public liability insurance of at least R1 000 000 covering commercial UAS, naming each UA registration that will fly.
• Flight operations must comply with airspace restrictions, visibility limits, and distance rules at all times. Aviation compliance, flight authorization, and airspace clearance are the booked operator's legal responsibility.

2. Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC)

The RPC is the individual remote-pilot certificate, issued by the Civil Aviation Authority under Part 71 (formerly called an RPL). It is not a Part 101 licence. Category and rating on the RPC must match the work you accept.

RPC Requirements

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Hold a valid South African ID or passport.
• Complete an approved RPC theory course with a CAA-approved training organisation (ATO).
• Pass the CAA RPC theory examination (minimum 75% pass mark).
• Complete a practical flight assessment with a qualified examiner.
• Hold at least a valid medical certificate: a Class 3 Aviation Medical Certificate for BVLOS operations or RPAS classified Class 3 or higher, or a self-declared medical assessment per SA-CATS 67 for standard VLOS operations on lighter aircraft.
• Submit a completed RPC application form to the CAA with the applicable fees.

3. RPAS Operator Certificate (ROC / UASOC)

The ROC is the SACAA RPAS Operator Certificate, also known as UASOC. It is issued to the operator (an individual or a company). It certifies an approved operations manual, safety procedures, and OpSpec. Lofft accepts unexpired ROC-titled certificates until they are reissued as UASOC. Lofft does not hold a ROC.

• An Operations Manual (OM) must be written, approved by the CAA, and followed at all times.
• All RPAS used under the ROC must be listed and registered.
• The ROC holder is responsible for all pilots operating under the certificate.
• ROC applications are submitted to the CAA RPAS Licensing division.
• The CAA may conduct ramp inspections at any time to verify compliance.

4. Air Services Licence (ASL)

Alongside the ROC, Part 101 (regulation 101.04.1(1)(b)) requires commercial RPAS operations for hire or reward to be conducted under a valid Air Services Licence, issued by the Air Service Licensing Council under the Air Services Licensing Act, 1990. ASL is a commercial-operation obligation of the operator (the ROC / UASOC holder).

• Issued by the Air Service Licensing Council, a body under the Department of Transport, separate from the CAA.
• Required for commercial operations specifically (corporate and non-profit operations may not need one, check with the Licensing Council for your case).
• Like the ROC, this is held by you personally or by your employing/operating company, provided you are listed crew of that holder. A job client who is not the operator cannot lend ASL.

5. RPAS Registration

Every drone used commercially must be registered with the CAA. Registration is per-aircraft (C of R), not per-pilot. The C of R must be for the UA that will fly.

• Each drone must have a unique CAA registration number displayed on the aircraft.
• Registration is done via the CAA's online portal or at a CAA office.
• The registration certificate must be available during every flight (physical or digital copy).
• If you purchase or modify a drone, the new/modified aircraft must be registered separately.

6. Insurance

Public liability insurance is mandatory for commercial drone operations in South Africa. Without it, you are personally liable for any damages or injuries caused during a flight.

• CAA Part 101 requires commercial RPAS operators to be adequately insured for third-party liability at all times. Lofft's listing minimum is R1 000 000 per incident, covering commercial UAS and naming each UA registration that will fly (most professional policies start at R1M–R5 million).
• The policy must specifically cover RPAS/drone operations. Standard business insurance typically does not.
• Insurance must be valid and current for every job. Our team manually reviews your insurance certificate before you're verified.
• Some clients (particularly corporate and government) require higher coverage. Always check the job brief.

7. Standard Operating Rules (Part 101)

Even with a valid RPC and ROC, pilots must follow the operational rules set out in Part 101 on every flight.

• Fly only in daylight hours (VLOS: Visual Line of Sight) unless a specific BVLOS approval has been granted by the CAA.
• Maximum altitude: 400ft (120m) AGL above the highest obstacle within a 300m radius, unless in approved airspace.
• Minimum horizontal distance from bystanders not involved in the operation: 50m. From crowds and public gatherings: 100m.
• No flight within 10km of any aerodrome without prior ATC permission.
• No flight over or within 50m of congested areas, including roads, unless in controlled conditions.
• No flight at night without specific CAA approval.
• Alcohol/drugs: a pilot may not operate within 8 hours of consuming alcohol or under the influence of any substance.
• A pre-flight check must be conducted before every flight and logged in the Operations Manual flight log.
• The pilot must carry their RPC, RPAS registration certificate, ROC, and ASL at all times during commercial operations.

8. Airspace & Authorisation

South Africa's airspace is managed by ATNS (Air Traffic Navigation Services). Certain areas require permission before flying. Flight authorization and airspace clearance are the booked operator's legal responsibility, not Lofft's and not the client's (unless that client is itself the ROC holder).

• Controlled airspace (Class C, D): requires prior ATC approval via ATNS. Submit requests at least 48 hours in advance.
• Restricted areas (military zones, national key points): generally prohibited without explicit approval from the relevant authority.
• National parks and nature reserves: apply to SANParks or the relevant conservation authority separately from CAA.
• Use the SACAA DronePort or similar approved apps to check real-time airspace restrictions before every flight.

9. Documents Required by Lofft

For commercial contract listings, all four items below are required (or the profile is barred from that pool). Additional marketplace documents follow. Our team reviews each submission manually. Please allow 2 to 3 business days. Lofft checks documents; it does not hold a ROC or operate the aircraft.

Contract listing gate

Operator commercial-operation duty

Additional marketplace documents

10. Penalties for Non-Compliance

Flying commercially without the required licences and documents is a criminal offence in South Africa.

• Operating an RPAS commercially without an RPC: fine of up to R50 000 and/or 10 years imprisonment under the Civil Aviation Act 13 of 2009 (as at August 2026, verify with CAA).
• Operating without a valid ROC or ASL: administrative penalties, suspension of operations, and potential prosecution.
• Flying in restricted airspace without authorisation: potential aircraft impoundment and criminal charges.
• Operating without valid insurance: full personal liability for all damages, plus CAA penalties.