SC-VTOL EASA Certification Course
Online course of 300 hours in EASA SC-VTOL certification: 6 modules covering the SC-VTOL special condition, the type-certification process, key technical requirements, systems and software safety, continued airworthiness and production, with an assigned technical tutor.
SC-VTOL EASA Certification Course — studying from South Africa
South Africa has a long-standing aerospace base, anchored by the Western Cape cluster around Cape Town and the Gauteng aerospace corridor near Johannesburg. Companies such as Denel Aerospace Systems, Aerosud and Airbus-linked suppliers in the Western Cape draw on local engineering talent. The South African Civil Aviation Authority oversees airworthiness and drone regulation, while the South African National Space Agency coordinates national space activity. Demand for skills in aircraft systems, unmanned aerial systems and satellite engineering continues to grow across both regions.
Fees for South Africa: R 13 900 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by the South African Council for Aeronautical and Engineering Professions or ECSA?
SEIUM is a private online institute and its qualifications are not official state degrees or accredited by a national body. In South Africa, professional registration is handled by bodies such as ECSA (Engineering Council of South Africa) and SACAP for built environment roles, and aviation licensing by the SACAA. Recognition of a private qualification is decided by the employer or the relevant body, so check directly with them before enrolling.
Would this qualification help me get work with aerospace or drone employers in South Africa?
Employers in South Africa's aerospace and drone sector, such as aircraft maintenance organisations, defence contractors and drone operators, usually weigh experience, licensing and university credentials heavily. A private online qualification can support your CV and show specialist knowledge, but it does not guarantee hiring or a particular role. Ask prospective employers whether they value the programme before you commit.
Can I manage the workload while working full time, and do I need to be fluent in English?
The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you need solid working English. Study is fully remote, so no student visa is needed to study from home. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, with an assigned technical tutor. Plan your weekly hours realistically, and ask whether employer sponsorship or instalment payment could help with fees.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Interpret the structure and approach of SC-VTOL-01.
Describe the type-certification process with EASA.
Identify the critical technical requirements of an eVTOL.
Apply systems and software safety processes.
Prepare a compliance matrix.
Understand continued airworthiness requirements.
Plan the certification roadmap for an eVTOL.
Who it's for
- eVTOL certification engineers
- Systems safety engineers
- Airworthiness managers
- Regulatory compliance engineers
- Certification programme managers
- Flight test engineers
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter urban air mobility
What you'll work with
- EASA SC-VTOL-01 (special condition for VTOL aircraft)
- MOC SC-VTOL (EASA) (means of compliance with SC-VTOL)
- Regulation (EU) 748/2012 (Part-21) (airworthiness and environmental certification)
- EASA SC E-19 (special condition for electric/hybrid propulsion)
- SAE ARP4754A (development of civil aircraft and systems)
- SAE ARP4761A (safety assessment process)
- RTCA DO-178C (airborne software)
- RTCA DO-311A (rechargeable lithium battery systems)
- IBM DOORS
- Jama Connect
- Ansys medini analyze
- Siemens Polarion
6 modules
1.1Origin and structure of SC-VTOL-011.2Objective-based approach1.3Basic and enhanced categories1.4Continued safe landing requirement1.5Certification levels and passengers1.6Relationship with CS-23 and CS-271.7MOC SC-VTOL means of compliance1.8Comparison with the FAA approach1.9SC-VTOL public consultation process1.10Practical exercise: guided reading of SC-VTOL-01
2.1Application and certification basis2.2VTOL-specific CRI documents2.3Certification programme2.4EASA Level of Involvement (LoI)2.5DOA organisation requirements2.6Demonstrations and inspections2.7Certification flight tests2.8Operational Suitability Data (OSD)2.9Certification milestone schedule2.10Case study: certification programme for an eVTOL
3.1Performance and flying qualities3.2Structure and loads3.3Electric propulsion systems3.4Special condition SC E-193.5Batteries and thermal runaway risk3.6Crashworthiness3.7Lightning and HIRF protection3.8Noise and environmental requirements3.9Fly-by-wire flight control systems3.10Workshop: compliance matrix for the propulsion subpart
4.1VTOL.2510 and safety assessment4.2Systems development to ARP4754A4.3FHA, PSSA and SSA analyses4.4Airborne software to DO-178C4.5Electronic hardware to DO-2544.6Environmental testing to DO-160G4.7Cybersecurity to ED-202A4.8Distributed propulsion failures4.9Particular risk analysis4.10Case study: FHA of the thrust control function
5.1Production organisation (POA)5.2Instructions for Continued Airworthiness5.3Initial maintenance programme5.4Directive management5.5Certificate of airworthiness5.6IAM operations and vertiports5.7Lessons from ongoing programmes5.8Validation with other authorities5.9Mechanic training requirements5.10Practical exercise: ICA outline for an eVTOL
6.1Product description6.2Proposed certification basis6.3Category classification6.4Compliance matrix6.5Systems safety plan6.6Test plan6.7Certification roadmap6.8Regulatory risk management strategy6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so you can combine it with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is IBM DOORS, Jama Connect, Ansys medini analyze and Siemens Polarion, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures for preparing compliance matrices, functional hazard analysis and planning certification campaigns. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrative project.
Standards covered: EASA SC-VTOL-01, MOC SC-VTOL (EASA), Regulation (EU) 748/2012 (Part-21), EASA SC E-19, SAE ARP4754A, SAE ARP4761A, RTCA DO-178C, RTCA DO-311A.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with IBM DOORS, Jama Connect, Ansys medini analyze and Siemens Polarion, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required; you need an internet connection, a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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