01Licensed simulatorsPractise on training flight simulator software and the IDA online simulator before you fly.
02Expert instructorsTaught by IDA instructors with indoor simulator labs and an outdoor flying field.
03Clear pathwayEach course ends with an IDA certificate. Regulator licensing requirements are explained at enrolment.
Course overview
What you will learn
The most popular route into the sky. Train on professional multi-rotor aircraft, practise on licensed simulators, and sit your practical test with electronic scoring accurate to the centimetre. The course follows the training and examination content of the civil unmanned aircraft operator licence, so you practise exactly what you are tested on.
- Trainers built for small multi-rotor training, with laser obstacle avoidance and battery overload protection
- RTK centimetre-level accuracy, covering the main deduction areas: figure-eight circling and obstacle avoidance
- Modular airframes with 3-minute quick repair, so training stays on schedule
Course length and intake
Multi-rotor schedule
| Level | Duration | Intake |
|---|---|---|
| Pilot | 18 days | Enter school on the 1st of every month |
| Captain | 24–28 days | Enter school on the 21st of each month |
| Instructor | 18 days | Enter school on the 1st of every month |
Hours follow the IDA course schedule. Contact your nearest academy for class hours.
Ground class
Theory syllabus
- Civil aviation regulations and air traffic control
- Aviation weather and flight environment
- UAV overview and system composition
- UAV flight operation mode classification
- Fundamentals of aerodynamics and flight principles
- UAV system characteristics and manoeuvring technology
- Communication link and task planning
- UAV industry application classification and scenarios
Flying class
Practical syllabus
- Preparation for drone flight operations
- UAV flight operation plan development
- Simulated flight on the training simulators
- Ground station set-up
- Pre-flight preparation and checks
- Take-off and landing training
- Field flight: figure 8 and 360° spin
- Solo flight and electronic-scored practical test
Training aircraft
Fly what you train on
M6EMulti-rotor trainer
M4EMulti-rotor trainingEligibility and documents
Before you apply
Entry requirements, fees and the documents to bring are confirmed by IDA admissions when you enrol. Use the form to request the current list.
