TAFE NSW Regional General Manager Jason Darney has today announced the introduction of a Certificate III in Aviation (Remote Pilot -Visual Line of Sight) at TAFE NSW Kingscliff.

The course will meet demands from local agricultural, construction and surveying industries for emerging drone services and improve safety by training drone operators in accordance with aviation regulations.

Mr Darney said it was essential that local training is available to meet the rapid development remote piloted aircraft technology.

“The nationally-recognised qualification is designed to provide businesses with confidence that those using drones on their behalf have been trained beyond the minimum licensing requirements.

“Drones are becoming more sophisticated and popular and a short remote piloted flight can often deliver superior, cheaper, and faster results for businesses,” Mr Darney said.

Students will undertake a 10-day face-to-face training component with 14 individual unit assessments as well as a theory and flight testing under the regulated CASA framework.

TAFE NSW Team Leader of Aviation and Aviation Transport Security Andrew Trease said drone operators needed to understand the legal and technical aspects of flying and also benefit from industry-specific knowledge that is useful in the field.

“As businesses across the State continue to explore the many technological possibilities afforded by drones, TAFE NSW is responding by customising training to meet their requirements,” he said.

“The last thing innovative businesses need is for access to new technology, and the flow-on economic benefits, limited because training hasn’t kept pace.”

Mr Darney said “Drone use is not limited to private and commercial operators, our emergency services use drones as part of their response to floods, fires and environmental incidents.

“Rather than bashing through the bush to access remote areas, it’s often safer and quicker to send in a drone to assess the scene and work out what resources are needed.”

Drone technology is becoming critical for a wide range of industries which is generating new opportunities for well trained and qualified remote aircraft pilots and commercial operators.

For more information about studying aviation at TAFE NSW, please visit www.tafensw.com.au or call 131 601.

Media contact: Sarah Lievore, TAFE NSW Media Officer, sarah.lievore1@tafensw.edu.au