To make an informed choice about the suitability of this course, please consider the essential skills and knowledge below. You must: 

• Have a strong interest is drone operation.
• Be technically minded and have creative thinking skills.
• Enjoy problem solving.
• Demonstrate well-developed digital literacy skills and a basic understanding of mathematics.
• Have well-developed time-management skills.
• Show your ability to read and interpret instructions/signs/meters.
• Demonstrate your ability to write documents legibly.
• Have a sound level of fitness to manage physical demands in the workplace, such as lifting, bending, and kneeling.
• Show your ability to follow instructions and comply with licencing requirements.

Drones are a remotely operated robotic aircraft and piloting them has become an in-demand skill.  They play a vital role in delivering medical supplies and food to remote areas, and are invaluable in emergency situations such as bushfires, shark spotting, and military operations. Industries like agriculture, mining, oil, and gas use drones for surveying and monitoring, while conservationists employ them for wildlife tracking. Drones also offer immense creative potential, especially in photography for weddings, tourism, and media production.

South Regional TAFE is not authorised to assess students for the requirements of the Remote Pilot Licence (RPL) or the Aeronautical Radio Operator Certificate (AROC). Once you have completed your Certificate III in Aviation, you will be required to sit these assessments externally. 

Time Commitment: You will need to allocate appropriate time to complete this course. This includes attending classes on-site and/or online as outlined in the study mode; and undertake independent study outside of class hours, including private study, assessment preparation, research, and complete assessment requirements.

Below are some of the important personal skills you will be required to develop and demonstrate during training. These skills are highly valued by industry:

• Respectful Communication: Engage effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, communicate ideas clearly, and foster trust and strong relationships.
• Teamwork: Work collaboratively, treat others with respect, and remain open to constructive feedback.
• Problem Solving: Proactively find solutions, engage with challenges, ask questions, and respond appropriately within your scope of practice.
• Initiative: Stay motivated, take initiative, and seek help when needed.
• Planning: Manage time well. Prioritise and complete tasks efficiently and effectively.
• Self-Management: Reflect on your performance. Acknowledge your success and take responsibility for your shortcomings.
• Learning: Recognise your strengths while embracing new knowledge and experiences to support personal and professional growth.
• Technology: Adapt to new tools, access digital resources, and integrate technology into your learning.