Australia-wide CASA Certified Drone Training Provider

RePL: helicopter (repl-manned)

Vary your existing CASA-issued Manned Pilot Licence (Flight Crew Licence Holder) to include the RePL Helicopter type.

Upon completion of this course, you will receive a CASA-Issued Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) Helicopter. If you do not hold an English Language Proficiency (ELP), we will assist you in obtaining one. Wicked Copters also issues you with a Certificate of Attainment.

This course is approved by CASA and compliant with the new syllabus defined in the Part 101 MOS.

Existing Licence?

Other RPA Type?

Theory Component:

As a manned pilot, you only need to complete theory related to the operation of a Helicopter.
  • Delivery Method: Online Interactive Virtual Classroom
    • Studio: We run multiple hardware-driven studios with power and internet backup. We do not just share a desktop with you!
    • Content: All theory is provided live with our Instructors, there is no prerecorded content or additional self study required.
  • Delivery Options:
    • Continuous: Complete the theory component over consecutive days
    • Staggered: Complete the theory component over several weeks during the day
    • Night: Complete the theory over several weeks at night
    • Weekends: Complete the theory over several weeks on weekends
  • Participant Package: Prior to the theory session, you will be sent a package containing all the materials you require
    • Textbook: Digital Textbook (with ongoing updates) and Printed Textbook
  • Student Ratios: We aim to keep the classes small to enhance learning
    • Generally there will be two Instructors
    • No more than 6 students per Virtual Classroom session

Practical Component:

  • Delivery Method: Face to face / In-person
    • Ensuring compliance with all COVID restrictions as applicable
  • Components Completed:
    • Theory: Finalising the theory and assessment and the introduction to the practical
    • Practical: Flying to obtaining your mandatory 5 hours (minimum) of training and final assessment
  • What to bring:
    • Just appropriate clothing and the course textbook
    • We supply everything else required
  • What RPAs (aircraft / drones) will I fly and in what modes?
    • RPAs: We train on a variety on RPAs and strive to ensure you get to try as many types as possible
    • Flight Modes: You will fly in a variety of flight modes
    • You will also be taught about automated flight and role equipment (payloads / cameras /etc).
  • Student Ratios: We aim to keep the classes small to enhance learning
    • Generally there will be two Instructors
    • One-on-One Practical Flying with dedicated Instructor

Course Availability / Schedule

To see the upcoming course dates, please select your preferred assessment centre (for the face to face component).

Please select a location to see the available course dates.
The RPA Upgrade training course gives students with manned aviation experience the pathway to gain an RePL (Helicopter) focused on the operation of an RPA. This course has been approved by CASA to comply with the 10 April 2020 Part 101 MOS requirements.

There is no minimum age to hold an RePL. All RePL holders also require an English Language Proficiency (ELP).

You must hold an existing CASA-Issued Manned Pilot Licence, Flight Crew Licence or equivalent.

  • CASA-Issued Helicopter Remote Pilot Licence (RePL)
  • English Language Proficiency (ELP) if you do not hold one yet
  • RPA with liquid-fuel system
  • Flexible online face to face webinar theory available day and evenings (including weekends)
  • Printed Notes and access to regularly updated digital notes before, during and after the course
  • All CASA fees included, no hidden costs
  • If you added any additional courses, you will receive those as well
This CASA-Issued Helicopter Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) takes 5-6 days to complete. The theory is completed over 1 day in our Virtual Classroom with the remaining 4-5 days for the practical close-out.

The Wicked Copters Virtual Classroom has been approved by CASA. We utilise purpose built TV-like studios for our Virtual Classroom with backups available for power and internet. To deliver interactive online face-to-face training, we use high tech hardware used for media broadcasting to TV.

The studios have sound boards with high quality microphones and advanced noise reduction systems. The content you see is not a shared desktop but multiple computers, tablets and electronic white boards to provide you with a high tech course. All you need is a computer, tablet or phone combined with a speaker and microphone.

Most of our Virtual Classroom sessions will have two Instructors (each in their own studio) for redundancy.

This course has been approved by CASA under the Part 101 Manual of Standards. During this course you will be taught and assessed on:

Aeronautical Knowledge:

  • Aeronautical Knowledge and Operation Principles
  • RPA with liquid-fuel system

As well as completing your General English Language Proficiency (GELP) requirements to hold the RePL / AROC. Wicked Copters conducts CASA-approved ELP notices and assessments for Level 6.

Practical Competency Standards:

  • Perform pre- and post-operation actions and procedures
  • Energy management
  • Manage crew, payload, and bystanders
  • Navigation and operations
  • Non-technical skills
  • Automated flight management systems
  • Control on ground
  • Launch, hover, and landing
  • Normal operations
  • Advanced manoeuvres
  • Abnormal situations and emergencies

You will control the RPA in GPS and non-GPS modes with a range of aircraft over a minimum of 5 hours.

We are able to provide discounts for group bookings, multiple training courses or with hardware / software. If you are wanting to pay the course over instalments, we offer that too!

If you qualify for community or personal grants, contact us for the discounted rate, and we can supply you with documentation, as required.

Within reason, any need to adjust your theory or practical sessions we do not charge rebooking fees. We never have.

If for any reason you were unable to complete your course in full, we will reschedule you to the following course.

If you can't find the information on this page, you can try our FAQ.

Otherwise, you will find our contact details at the top and bottom of the page, you can use the contact form or use our live chat feature.


Please contact us for any of your RPA needs - from drones through to corporate and / or specialised training. We can bundle discounted products and training to suite you.