Compliance & UASOC Onboarding
Operating under a valid ROC now called UASOC is not optional
Look Up Pro holds its own UASOC, SACAA compliance, BVLOS pilot licences, and an aerial applicator licence. Commercial clients can verify our standing. Drone operators can onboard under our certificate to operate legally and insurably across South Africa.
- SACAA Compliant
- Own UASOC (formerly ROC)
- BVLOS Licensed Pilots
- Aerial Applicator Licence
Look Up Pro Credential Summary
Active licences and certifications
Our Credentials
The compliance foundation behind every project
Before a drone lifts off on a commercial site, clients and site managers need to know the operator is legitimate. These are Look Up Pro's active licences and certifications.
UASOC - Approved Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator Certificate
Formerly the ROC. Required by SACAA for all commercial drone operations in South Africa. Look Up Pro holds its own UASOC, meaning other operators can legally operate under our certificate through an onboarding arrangement.
SACAA South African Civil Aviation Authority
Fully registered commercial drone operator with the South African Civil Aviation Authority. All operations are conducted within SACAA Part 101 regulations.
BVLOS Beyond Visual Line of Sight Pilot Licences
BVLOS-rated pilot licences allow operations beyond the standard visual range. This unlocks larger site coverage, extended mapping runs, and specialist remote operations that standard VLOS pilots cannot legally perform.
Aerial Applicator Licence
A specific licence required for commercial herbicide, pesticide, and chemical aerial application. Without this licence, drone spraying operations involving registered agricultural chemicals are not legally permitted. Look Up Pro holds this licence.
For Clients
Why your compliance requirements matter
Hiring an unqualified drone operator exposes your project and organisation to real legal and financial risk.
Legal liability on your site
If an unregistered drone causes an incident on your property, the site owner carries liability. An operator with a valid UASOC shifts that responsibility appropriately.
Insurance requirements
Most project and site insurers require that any aerial contractor holds valid SACAA registration and an UASOC. An unregistered operator can void your coverage.
Mine and site entry requirements
Mines, Eskom, and large industrial sites increasingly require proof of UASOC and SACAA compliance before granting contractor access. Look Up Pro meets these requirements.
Spraying and chemical licencing
Aerial application of herbicides or pesticides without a valid aerial applicator licence is illegal in South Africa. Any reserve or land manager hiring a drone sprayer must verify this licence exists.
Data accuracy and accountability
Compliant operators follow documented flight planning and safety management procedures. This produces more reliable data, better audit trails, and accountable project delivery.
For Drone Operators
Operate legally under Look Up Pro's UASOC
Getting your own UASOC (ROC) is a lengthy and costly process. Look Up Pro opens the door for independent pilots and drone businesses to operate commercially legally, safely, and insurably under our established certificate.
Who Can Onboard
Who this is for
UASOC onboarding through Look Up Pro is suited to any operator who needs a compliant, insurable structure without going through the full UASOC application process independently.
Freelance Pilots
Independent drone pilots who want to offer commercial services legally without their own certificate.
Start-up Drone Businesses
New operators who are building a client base and need to operate while working toward their own UASOC.
Specialist Operators
Operators focused on a specific niche spraying, inspection, media who need compliance support for their work.
Corporate Internal Teams
Companies running internal drone operations who need a compliant structure for their pilots and equipment.
What You Get
What UASOC onboarding includes
Legal Commercial Operation
Operate commercially in South Africa under a valid UASOC without the full cost and time of applying for your own.
Insurance-Compatible Structure
Most drone insurers require an UASOC. Onboarding gives you an insurable operating structure for your aircraft and operations.
Operational Documentation
Access to flight planning frameworks, risk assessments, safety management systems, and compliance documentation.
Brand and Credibility Backing
Deliver services with the compliance credibility of an established, SACAA-registered operator behind your work.
Access to Larger Contracts
Mines, utilities, and large project clients require UASOC proof. Onboarding opens contracts previously out of reach.
Practical Operator Guidance
Ongoing support and mentorship from an operator running active commercial drone operations across multiple sectors.
How It Works
The onboarding process
Getting started is straightforward. We assess your situation, structure the right arrangement, and get your operations running compliantly.
Submit your details
Tell us about your operation operator type, pilot count, the kind of work you do, and where you currently are with compliance.
We assess the fit
We review your operation type, equipment, and requirements to confirm that onboarding under our UASOC is the right structure for you.
Onboarding and documentation
We set up the operational framework, add your aircraft and pilots to the OpsSpec, and provide the required documentation for your operations.
Ongoing support
Continued compliance support, operational guidance, and structure as your business grows not just a once-off sign-on.
Common Questions
Frequently asked questions
They are the same requirement under different names. ROC (Remote Operating Certificate) was the original term used under older SACAA regulations. When SACAA updated Part 101, the certificate was renamed to UASOC - Approved Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator Certificate. The legal requirement has not changed. Any commercial drone operation in South Africa must be conducted under a valid certificate. Most operators and clients still use the term ROC out of habit. Look Up Pro holds an active UASOC.
Yes. Any drone operation conducted for commercial purposes where payment or compensation is involved requires that the operation is conducted under a valid UASOC. Flying commercially without one is a contravention of SACAA Part 101 regulations and can result in enforcement action, fines, and prosecution. It also invalidates any insurance covering that operation. Onboarding under an existing UASOC is a legal and practical solution for operators who have not yet obtained their own certificate.
Drone insurance in South Africa generally requires proof of a valid UASOC for commercial operations. By operating under Look Up Pro's UASOC through a formal onboarding arrangement, your operations are structured within a compliant framework that supports insurability. You should confirm the specific requirements with your insurer, but the UASOC structure is the foundation most insurers require. We can assist with the documentation your insurer may request.
Onboarding fees depend on your operator type, number of pilots, aircraft, and the level of support required. We structure arrangements that work for both parties - typically a monthly support fee that covers ongoing compliance maintenance, operational documentation, and UASOC coverage. Submit a quote request and we will scope the right arrangement for your operation and get back to you with specific details.
We can provide copies of our UASOC, SACAA registration, BVLOS pilot licences, and aerial applicator licence on request for contractor vetting purposes. Contact us directly at niel@lookuppro.co.za or 082 894 3446 and we will supply the relevant compliance documentation for your procurement or site access process.
BVLOS Beyond Visual Line of Sight is a higher-rated pilot certification that authorises operations where the drone flies beyond what the pilot can see with the naked eye. Standard VLOS (Visual Line of Sight) operations are limited in range and area coverage. BVLOS-rated operations allow larger mapping runs, extended agricultural spraying areas, and remote site monitoring that standard VLOS licences cannot legally cover. Look Up Pro's pilots hold BVLOS ratings, unlocking a broader range of project types and site conditions.
Get Started
Two paths forward
Whether you are verifying a contractor or looking to onboard under our UASOC, we will respond promptly.
Verify our compliance credentials
If you need documentation of our UASOC, SACAA registration, BVLOS licences, or aerial applicator licence for contractor vetting, get in touch directly.
- UASOC / ROC certificate copy
- SACAA registration confirmation
- BVLOS pilot licence documentation
- Aerial applicator licence copy
Onboard under Look Up Pro's UASOC
If you want to operate commercially in South Africa with a compliant, insurable structure without the full cost and wait of your own UASOC, start here.
- Legal commercial operation under our UASOC
- Insurance-compatible operational structure
- OpsSpec registration for your aircraft
- Ongoing compliance and operational support