Drone Pilot Chemical Rating
Course details
About the course
The Chemical Rating is required to apply chemicals from a drone in New Zealand. DroneTrust's course is fully online and follows the CAA's AC61-16 (Revision 6) Appendix 1 syllabus, with no practical component needed to gain the rating.
Every module is built on Threat and Error Management (TEM), the same safety thinking used across aviation. You'll work through real-world scenarios, interpret weather and drift data, and make the operational calls you'll face in the field. Plan on 14-18 hours of study. Most pilots finish in one to two weeks at their own pace.
The ten modules cover:
- TEM and risk management for chemical operations
- Agricultural chemicals: classifications, formulations, hazards and adjuvants
- Application methods, calibration and dispersal systems
- Spray equipment, safety systems and maintenance
- Drift and weather assessment
- Operational execution, record keeping and emergency response
- Human safety, exposure and PPE
- Navigation technology: GNSS, GPS, GIS and track logs
- Legislation and compliance
- Drone fertiliser application
What's included:
- Full online course across ten modules
- Scenario exercises and quizzes in every module
- A final exam, 80% pass mark
- Pilot Chemical Rating (Unmanned) certification, valid for five years
The Chemical Rating is a required step on the Ag Pilot Pathway and must be held before you can sit the Agricultural Rating. It's also used on the Aerial Asset Management pathway for pilots working with chemical products.
This is a fully online course with no practical component, so you can start any time and work at your own pace.
Got questions about the course or where it fits in your pathway? Hit Send enquiry and we'll get back to you. Ready to go? Use the Provider's course page link below to buy directly from our website and start today.
Entry requirements
No formal entry requirements. Suitable for pilots on the Ag Pilot or Aerial Asset Management pathways, and for pilots renewing an expiring Chemical Rating.
The course must be completed within 12 months of purchase.
About the provider
DroneTrust has been providing certified drone training in New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and the United States since 2018. It is our mission to grow an industry of safe, knowledgeable and trusted drone pilots by providing quality training.
We provide drone training courses in a cost-effective and scalable way, so all drone pilots can learn the rules and up-skill to maximise their drone experiences and income-earning opportunities. The quality of our courses shows in the results - we have a 95.5% pass rate across more than 1,200 flight assessments in the last three years alone.
DroneTrust is a certified CAA Part 141 aviation training organisation #TR104722. Our courses are delivered online, meaning you can learn at your own pace at your own place. This makes it a convenient, affordable exercise, and throughout that time, you can be confident we are here to support you and help you achieve your desired outcome. Watching you succeed is our business. Note that the final practical assessment must be completed in person with an approved examiner.