Synonymous with UAS OperationsOur basic course can include the classroom or online course.
Classroom course: If you’re looking for the best face to face learning then the classroom course may be the solution for you. Our instructors have taught candidates all over the world and are fully trained air instructors from the Royal Air Force’s Central Flying Training School.
Drone training course overview:
This is the 2-day CAA approved course (with the option to extend to 3 days if you want to complete your operations manual and flight test without delay). The price includes Ground school, Theory Examination, Operations Manual ratification and Operational Evaluation (flight test).
The structure has changed slightly, this is to make it more practical for those wanting to complete the theory course, operations manual and flight test all at once.
Alternatively, if you would prefer you can complete just the 2 day theory course – and then go away and complete your operations manual in your own time and arrange your flight test for a later date once your operations manual is approved.
We hold standard, advanced, refresher and bespoke PfCO drone training courses at Lincoln. To find out dates, please call the office on 01522 687681 or fill out the contact form below.
If your company does not have an existing operations manual in place and you want to do your flight test on day 3 – You will be expected to start your operations manual prior to the course commencing and send in a 1st draft for us to look over. The instructor will go through changes required in the operations manual workshop on day 3 to get you all approved. Don’t worry though, when you enrol on the course, we will send you a template that you can use to draft your own operations manual and give you our Ops Man subject matter experts’ contact details to help you along the way.
As long as you have a signed-off operations manual and a minimum of 2 hours flying time in a 3 month rolling period (and you have your drone with you), you will be able to do your flight test on the afternoon of day 3. Alternatively, we can arrange your flight test for a later date.
Day 1 & 2 Ground School –
This is the two-day ground school theory element of the course. The first day of the course will begin with an introduction for both new and experienced pilots as to what the course will entail and what each day’s outcomes will be. Throughout day 1 the topics covered will include:
The second day will include:
The afternoon of day 2 will cover how to carry out risk assessments as well as pre-flight and on-site surveys. Using the knowledge gained, you will complete a planning exercise to test you on what you have learnt and for you to experience how to effectively plan for an operation, as well as delivering a professional brief to your crew.
Theory Examination–
At the end of day 2 is the important theory examination part of the RPCS. This is a 70 minute multiple choice paper that will test you on what you have learnt over the two days. You will need 75% or higher to pass. If you happen to fail the Theory Examination, you can re-sit the paper for free however at least 10 days must pass before you are able to re-sit.
Day 3 (optional) Operations Manual Workshop and Flight Assessment
Day 3 is for those that have already sent in the 1st draft of their operations manual or, have an existing operations manual in place and are ready to do their operational evaluation (flight test).
With guidance and advice from the instructor, the workshop will give you the knowledge and skills to be able complete your Operations Manual to a professional standard that RUSTA deem acceptable. You will be expected to produce a manual detailing the way in which you will operate your SUAS to conform to regulations and safety standards.
Having an approved Operations Manual is essential to progress to your flight test. It is a vital document for any operator and is integral to obtaining your PfCO. It is a mandatory item needed for any business commercially offering UAS services. It contains managerial, technical, health and safety, and flying procedures that will be specific to each business’ proposed operating set up.
RUSTA prides itself on the attention to detail and support it offers candidates throughout enrolment to course completion. The theory course is structured so that guidance on the Ops Manual is received from day one of the course, giving candidates the knowledge and confidence necessary to fulfil this task without undue delay.
If you have a minimum of 2 hours flying time within a 3-month rolling period, you can complete your flight test on day 3.
The instructor will give you a practical scenario that reflects a normal task that you can expect from a customer in the future. You will plan the mission and carry out the practical task at one of our approved RUSTA operational sites. On successful completion of the practical task the candidate will be awarded their RUSTA wings and you will be emailed your RUSTA recommendation form to support your application to the CAA when you apply direct for your PFCO.
*If you do not have your operations manual approved or have a minimum of 2 hours flying time by the time the course ends, your flight test will be scheduled for a later date (at no extra cost).
*If you decide to complete your operations manual after the course has finished, you will have 3 months to send in, for RUSTA to approve. Once the Ops Manual is deemed and ratified satisfactory by our experts, you will be contacted to arrange a suitable date and time for your flight test.
We hold standard, advanced, refresher and bespoke PfCO drone training courses at Lincoln. To find out dates and locations, please call the office on 01522 687681
In your own time at your own pace…
At RUSTA we understand that people lead busy working lives. Taking nearly three days off work to attend a course, that will allow them to apply to the CAA, is not a possibility for many of our clients. Which is why last year RUSTA launched it’s full online training package to facilitate those individuals who can’t make it to the classroom. It contains all the same course material but negates the need for the classroom.
The online theory course covers the following modules:
Ensuring standards
If you go down the computer based learning path you will still need to conduct the theory examination and practical flight evaluation (after submission of your operations manual). With examination centres across the UK we can make this an efficient process by conducting the examination then the flight test on the same day. Our examination centres are comfortable and easy to get to whilst our flight test centres are second to none.
After successful completion of the theory modules, candidates must complete and submit their Ops Manual for approval by one of RUSTA’s highly qualified experts. This is completed in the candidate’s own time and requires them to produce a manual detailing the way in which they operate their SUAS to conform to regulations and safety standards.
Proving yourself
Once the Ops Manual is deemed and ratified satisfactory by our experts, you will be assigned a RUSTA evaluator. The evaluator will give you a practical scenario that reflects a normal task that you can expect from a customer in the future. You will plan the mission and carry out the practical task at one of the approved RUSTA operational sites. On Successful completion of the practical task the candidate will be awarded their RUSTA wings and will have the ability to apply to the CAA for their PFCO.
A National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) is a standard of professional recognition that acknowledges the skill set and knowledge base that a person holds to be able to perform a particular job. They are measured within the National Qualification Framework which is regulated by Ofqual and is therefore recognised both nationally and internationally.
As one of only two training academies able to administer NVQ qualifications, RUSTA are extremely proud to be able to offer:
The NVQs that RUSTA offer are run in conjunction with, and complement, our existing PfCO qualification. In short, this means that only a small amount of further work is required in preparing your NVQ portfolio for submission.
To achieve one of the above qualifications, candidates must demonstrate the level of knowledge and competence described in each of the units for the qualification they are working towards.
Each candidate is required to produce evidence which demonstrates their achievement of all of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria for each unit.
Evidence can include:
Details of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria are issued upon registration.
This qualification is appropriate for individuals who wish to learn the basics and prepare to fly a drone. It is also suitable for those who may who wish to seek employment with a commercial UAS operator.
Modules include: knowledge of regulations, safety issues, pre-flight processes and procedures, flight manoeuvres, post flight procedures and emergency procedures.
Candidates must complete the 2 mandatory units:
Candidates who demonstrate achievement of the qualification will be awarded a certificate giving the full qualification title – ProQual NVQ Level 3 Certificate in the Remote Piloting of Unmanned Aircraft Systems for Commercial Operation
This qualification is appropriate for individuals engaged in the remote piloting of unmanned aircraft systems for a commercial operator.
Topics include: knowledge of regulations, safety issues, preflight processes and procedures, flight manoeuvres, post flight procedures and emergency procedures; candidates will also develop an Operations Manual for the commercial use of unmanned aircraft systems.
Candidates must complete the 3 Mandatory units:
Candidates who demonstrate achievement of the qualification will be awarded a certificate giving the full qualification title – ProQual NVQ Level 4 Diploma in the Remote Piloting of Unmanned Aircraft Systems for Commercial Operations
To find out more contact us using the form below
Since 2015 RUSTA have been heavily involved in training emergency services to operate SUAS.
Rusta uses it security experiences learnt from a combined 10000 hours flying UAV on operations but the last 24 months has seen RUSTA recruit specialist law enforcement operators to it’s instructor cadre.
RUSTA’s Remote Pilot Certificate Advanced (RPCA) training course is a bespoke course specifically designed for the Police, Fire and Emergency Services.
The course is broken down into the theory phase and the flying phase. The theory phase consists of two days covering all the items that are included in the basic RUSTA drone training course. The flying phase is three days of intensive operating in the field. Combining both theory and practical (hands-on) training for operations of Small Unmanned Air Systems (SUAS), the RPCA provides candidates with a tactical advantage which may assist with:
On successful completion of the flying phase an emergency services candidate is issued with their recommendation and awarded their prestigious RUSTA wings.
To find out how RUSTA can help call the office on 01522 687681 or use the contact form below
Some of our past customers include;
West Sussex Fire & Rescue, Surrey & Sussex Police, Lincolnshire Police, Thames Valley Police, Derbyshire Police, Cheshire Police and Leicestershire Police
RUSTA has the most qualified UAS instructors in the industry. The vast majority of these credentials were obtained and honed whilst serving in either the Royal Air Force or the Army Air Corps. All our instructors have completed the RAF Central Flying Schools Air Instructors Course at RAF college Cranwell. In addition to the instructors credentials all of RUSTA’s courses are designed to the Defence Systems Approach to Training (DSAT) protocol which is familiar to all serving personnel in any of the UK’s Armed Forces.
RUSTA has, to date, delivered courses to the RAF, Army and Navy and is proud to deliver training back to the most professional Armed Forces in the world.
RUSTA not only covers the mandatory CAA regulations including the ANO and the CAP722 but they also cover the Military Aviation Authority (MAA) documentation such as the RA1600.
RUSTA has two sites near their HQ that can be utilised, alternatively RUSTA can conduct training at the customers site if viable.
In 2018 RUSTA was awarded the Armed Forces Covenant Silver Award for its continuing support to Her Majesty’s Forces.
To find out how RUSTA can help call the office on 01522 687681 or use the contact form below
The variety of industries utilising Drone Technology has increased exponentially over the last 5 years. There are many varied users who have embraced drones from Agronomists who use the airborne data for agricultural purposes to news teams who want to get the best footage for a story.
At RUSTA we know, from experience, that certain organisations require additional items to be covered in more detail or that they require extra flying training. That is why we have set up a separate training program aimed at business clients. If you are an organisation who require more than 5 operators to be trained we can conduct the training at your premises (subject to conditions) and we can add whatever additional items are requested.
We have conducted this training from Hong Kong to Switzerland to Bristol and have received great feedback from an eclectic mix of customers.
If your company is looking for the most professional training organisation with a bespoke program tailored to your requirements contact us and see how we can help.
Some of our past customers include:
UMS Skeldar | MITIE | Bayer Crop Science | Royal Navy | RAF | Ka-Boom | Natural England | Leica Geosystems | Agrovista | BASF | Waldeck | Waterway Ireland | UAS Flight Ops | Ministry of Defence | Frontier Agriculture | Steel Rock | West Sussex Fire & Rescue | Surrey & Sussex Police | Lincolnshire Police | Thames Valley Police | Derbyshire Police | Icon Films | Terminix | UWE plus many more…
There are many advantages in joining the Alumni: –
Continuous Support
With the rules and regulations in constant flux, it can be confusing on what you need to amend or include in your ops manual when you come to renew. As a member of the Alumni we will take the pressure of you and ensure your documentation is up to standard prior to resubmission.
If you need clarification on any airspace issues or regulatory issues after you have finished the course our instructors will contact you and help in any way they can
Quarterly News Letter
Stay abreast of the UAV industry and connect with other graduates via our quarterly newsletter. Opportunities in the industry will also be listed.
Networking Events
The Alumni organisation will host events across the UK which will be open for Alumni members. This is a great opportunity to Network and meet some of the guess speakers we will be hosting.
Concession on RUSTA services
As a member of the Alumni you will also receive discounts on future RUSTA courses e.g. 7-20 kg flight test upgrades and NVQ’s.
In Addition RUSTA has partnered with companies in the SUAS industry who can offer further discounts on their products to Alumni members
In May 2020 RUSTA, EEI’s training Academy, was awarded Recognised Assessment Entity (RAE) status by the Civil Aviation Authority. This sits alongside the National Qualified Entity Status (NQE) that RUSTA has held since 2015.
RAE accreditation allows RUSTA to deliver the new regulatory courses that will be introduced in 2021. See Link below. The new courses and qualifications will apply to SUA operators regardless of whether their flights are for commercial operation or hobbyist purposes.
This is a one-day course held at one of RUSTA’s learning centres nationwide and is designed for operators who want to fly in the A2 subcategory of the new Open category which will be introduced in 2021. Although not in existence yet all SUA will eventually have a CE rating. This CE rating will determine what the particular SUA can do with regards to operating parameters. If the aircraft has a C2 CE rating, then it can operate in the A2 subcategory. This will allow operators more leeway such as reduced distances for people and buildings not under the Remote Operators control.
To enroll on the course, you first have to complete the DMARES process (Hyperlink) and self-certify as being a competent operator with regards to flying a SUA
RUSTA is offering this course at £425 inc VAT. Contact us today for more details and for reservations.
This is a two-day course that in some ways is very similar to the existing PfCO process. It covers topics that apply to SUA operators planning to operate in the Specific category. Once a candidate has completed the theory and a flight skill test, they will be issued with a GVC certificate and a set of RUSTA wings. The operator can then apply for an Operational Authorization (OA) that will allow an operator to fly in congested areas. The distances that an operator must adhere to are set in the Air Navigation order. These haven’t changed from the standard permissions from an existing PfCO.
RUSTA is offering the GVC at £695 inc VAT. Contact us today for more details and a reservation.
For more details on the new regulations follow this link.
If you are an existing PfCO holder don’t worry, you can still operate under your permissions. PfCOs will still be issued by the CAA until the new rules are implemented and renewed after the new rules come online. If you wish to continue to operate with a PfCO in the future you must ensure that you renew on time and that it doesn’t lapse. How long this continue has yet to be announced but most commentators think it will be at least 2 years.
