Drone Patrol Operator
Fly the club’s patrol drone. The Patrol Captain directs you.
No dates yet. Choose Register interest on the form and we’ll email you when a course is set.
How to get it
Step 1: Prepare
Before you sign up, do the CASA online steps: a myCASA account, your ARN, then the CASA quiz and video. Email your certificate to enquiries@ncslsc.com.
Step 2: Do the course
Online theory modules 1 to 3. Then a one-on-one practical with a trainer, on a Saturday morning from November to March.
Step 3: Assessment
Supervised patrol flights, logged in the Fly Freely app.
Step 4: Keep it current
Each season, keep your patrolling award current and do a check with a drone facilitator.
Book your Skills Maintenance Check (SMC) on Learn
If you miss your SMC
In short: if you’re an Active Member and miss 31 December, your membership is put on hold for a month, then it ends. Until you do your SMC you can’t patrol.
If you are an Active Member and are not proficient by 31 December, your membership is automatically suspended for 1 month (from 31 December, or from a later date if the Chair of Education has granted you an extension). If you are still not proficient at the end of that month, your membership automatically ends (By-law 11.3). To ask for an exemption or more time, write to the Chair of Education by 31 December (By-law 11.4). Under SLSWA rules you also cannot patrol, operate rescue craft or compete until you are proficient.
Long Service Members must requalify each season (By-law 6.2.4(f)). Under SLSWA rules you can’t patrol until you do.
What’s next
Nothing follows on directly.
No Surf Rescue Certificate or Bronze Medallion? You can patrol with Radio & Observers ›
Owner: Drones Officer · Last reviewed 2 Nov 2026 · Next review due 1 Sep 2027 · Questions? enquiries@ncslsc.com