The first man to collect his Remote Pilot Licence (RPL) with Instructor Rating from SA Civil Aviation Authority is Ian Melamed.

On receiving his RPL Licence Melamed said “if you consider that the regulations on RPAS (Remote Piloted Aircraft Systems) came in effect on 1 July, the SACAA have achieved miracles in processing RPL licence holders and instructors in such a short time”.

Melamed added “it is a myth that it would take six months for drone pilots to train for their RPL Licence and cost R150,000. A special 10-day course has been organised for experienced drone pilots in both Cape Town and Johannesburg starting on 3 August and will cost less than 15% of the mythical R150,000.”

Melamed said,”Drone Pilots have become an essential part of the film industry. When the new regulations were announced there was extreme unhappiness. The commercial use of drones has mushroomed in South Africa. Licenced drone pilots will soon return to help in the fight against Rhino poachers.”

Melamed added “it was only a matter of time before the Civil Aviation Authority would have to introduce regulations to protect the safety of all aviation users. The challenge is to incorporate drone pilots into aviation space as quickly as possible and welcome them as fellow aviators.”