Training, Certification and Compliance.

Aerolab is dedicated to Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) safety. Our goal is to provide services that ensure all Pilots and Business have adequate training, correct certifications to be in compliance with Part 102 rules regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Alongside our partnered training provider Drone Trust our Pilot Pathway aims to provide pilots with the knowledge and experience to cooperatively comply with CAA guidelines while also running a profitable business.

The Aerolab ecosystem will allow pilots to enter as a novice and exit as a fully qualified UAV Agriculturally Rated Pilot all in ONE contact. Our customers can expect lifetime support and training from start to finish.

Want to Fly an Ag or Wash Drone? You need to be certified.

First of all, CAA must issue a certificate allowing exemptions to the Part 101 rules - such as being able to fly a drone over 25kg and apply liquid spray. This certificate is called an Unmanned Aerial Operators Certificate (UAOC) and is issued to an organisation rather than an individual.

In order to satisfy CAA that the organisation should be issued that certificate, you will need to complete a few steps - the submission of an approved Exposition (a detailed safety document), and the nomination of an approved Prime Person who will be interviewed by CAA.

Secondly, any pilot intending to fly under this UAOC will need to undertake a number of qualifications to gain the necessary skill to fly safely and effectively. These qualifications are:

RPAS Pilot Certification (Part 102)

Personal certificate proving the holder has the required aviation knowledge and skills to fly as a Professional RPAS Pilot

Chemical Handling Qualification (for applicable ratings)

Specialist training on the use of agrichemicals, fertilisers and VTAs for aerial operations.

UAV Ag Rating

Enables the holder to engage in the aerial application of agrichemicals.

Operational Competency Assessment (OCA)

All pilots flying outside 101 rules must do so according to the exemptions granted to an organisation with a UAOC, as detailed in their Exposition document. To be inducted onto a UAOC, an OCA must be completed to demonstrate competency with procedures and machinery operation.

The process of gaining all of this certification can be complex and long-winded, so at Aerolab we’ve made it our mission to make this path as simple as we can, in order to improve compliance and create an industry of safe and effective pilots.