CASA RPA Accreditation study guide
CASA RPA Accreditation · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
This independent study page supports candidates preparing for the CASA RPA Operator Accreditation, the Australian accreditation that sits behind the operator accreditation certificate for remotely piloted aircraft. It is aimed at people who want to fly drones for work or as part of a business, and at recreational flyers who want to understand the rules properly. The material is organised around four study domains of equal weight: drone safety rules and general operating requirements; drone weight categories and registration requirements; operator accreditation, certification and record keeping; and flight authorisations and airspace constraints. Each domain covers the practical knowledge a remote pilot needs before flying, including where and how you may operate, what registration obligations attach to different aircraft, what records you must keep, and when you need a flight authorisation or must stay clear of particular airspace. The CASA RPA Accreditation study guide has 4 sections and about 1,305 words.
01Drone Safety Rules and General Operating Requirements
Australian drone safety rules are built around a small set of obligations that apply to every flight, regardless of weight or category. You must only fly in daylight, keep the drone within visual line of sight (VLOS) at all times without using aids such as binoculars or FPV goggles alone, and never fly in a way that creates a hazard to another aircraft, person or property.
356 words, about 2 min02Drone Weight Categories and Registration Requirements
Australian rules sort drones by weight because weight drives registration and accreditation obligations. The key thresholds are 250 g , 2 kg , 25 kg and 150 kg .
326 words, about 2 min03Operator Accreditation, Certification and Record Keeping
Operator accreditation is the entry-level pathway for recreational and excluded-category operators. It is obtained by completing an online course and assessment, and it attaches to the individual, not the drone.
314 words, about 2 min04Flight Authorisations and Airspace Constraints
Australian airspace is divided into controlled and uncontrolled airspace. Controlled airspace surrounds major airports and requires an air traffic control clearance, which drone operators generally cannot obtain without specific authorisation.
309 words, about 2 min