When drones, also known as remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), began to emerge, Kevin Weldon, founder of the Ripper Group, had the vision to assemble a team of individuals, equally passionate about saving lives and serving communities.

With strong links to aviation, emergency services and training, the Ripper Group team committed to steering drone technology into several practical sectors. 

Our ground-breaking drone-based Search and Rescue service is one such example where you’re likely to see our aircraft providing an aerial patrol capability to surf life saving on the beaches, or assisting emergency services with operations in a range of challenging environments such as bush fires, missing persons, animal welfare and many more.

The Ripper Aviation Academy was implemented because the pilots we needed with the required skills to save a life via drone didn’t exist. The Ripper Aviation Academy was built from the ground up with the fundamentals of safe flight, efficient and effective training methods and aspirations to transfer as much knowledge from the manned aviation space into our pilot trainees.

The Ripper Aviation Academy will continue delivering the Ripper Group’s existing high standards of RPAS training and certification, with the dual purpose of ensuring our services are readily available to the community. Our training facilities, syllabus and instructors are world class, and the Academy is endorsed to award formal qualifications on behalf of CASA.

Whether you’re pursuing training to get the most from your recently purchased drone, or your ambition is to secure a professional career in this fast growing industry, we have a course for you. You’ll depart the Ripper Aviation Academy competent, confident and motivated to use your expertise, knowledge and flying skills.

In addition to the Academy’s world-class training facilities, there’s the assurance you will be trained by a company at the forefront of the RPAS industry. We’re out there doing the job, working with some of the country’s leading businesses and organisations. We have a keen interest in ensuring all drone users are equipped with the knowledge and skills to conduct safe and effective drone operations.

We take an active interest in your progress and currency once you leave the Academy, with options available for continuation of training and additions to your initial qualifications. The skills associated with drone operations change rapidly and we will work closely with you to ensure you remain ahead of pack. Once a student, always a student!
We supply all aircraft and associated training materials. 

Options are available for those wishing to use their own aircraft during training courses (conditions apply).