Drone Licencing

At Survey Drones Ireland we have a variety of courses available to suit your specific situation and requirements. 

Drone Ground School Theoretical Course & Flight Exam

This is our flagship course suitable for those who do not already have a drone licence and are looking to become a licenced drone operator.

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be awarded your SOP (Specific Operating Permission) and PCC (Pilot Competency Certificate). You will then be able to put your application forward to the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) who are responsible for granting licences within the Republic of Ireland. This is a minimum requirement for you to be legally recognised as a licenced commercial drone operator.

The Drone Renewal Course

Every 2 years your drone licence must be renewed. We highly recommend that once the expiry date approaches, you take our drone renewal course. This course is for any operator that already holds an SOP & PCC. The renewal of these documents is critical if you wish to remain as a licenced operator. 

The Drone Conversion Course

If you hold a drone licence obtained outside of the Republic of Ireland and wish to operate within the country our drone conversion course is perfect for you. This course is required to convert your current licence to one that is recognised by the IAA.

If, for example, you are a holder of a PfCO for the UK, we recognise that you have completed a drone ground school course. This means you will not have to attend every lesson that we offer. As some of our lessons will be similar to your own country, in this case the UK. The conversion course covers lessons that are pertaining to the Irish Drone Rules and Regulations S.I 563 of 2015. This course is compulsory in order for you to be awarded your SOP & PCC by the IAA.

IAA Documentation

Here are the documents that you will need in order to receive your SOP & PCC from the Irish Aviation Authority, after you have successfully completed your ground school course and passed your flight exam. Click on the application form and you will be brought to the IAA website, so you can download the document.

• IAA Drone Registration Process
• S.I 563 of 2015
• U.F 100 Application for SOP
• U.F 101 SUA Flight In Controlled Airspace Application Form Version 8
• U.F 102 Fixed-Wing
• U.F 102 Multi-Rotor
• U.F.102H Helicopter
• U04 Exemption from Controlled Airspace Permission
• U06 The pending introduction of (EU) Regulations in the area of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in Ireland.