Commercial drone training in the UK has changed! You may have come here looking for information about a Permission for Commercial Operations (PfCO), but those have been phased out over the last few years. On 31st December 2020, the UK CAA adopted a UK version of the new EU drone regulations. This means that there is no longer a separation between recreational and commercial drone use, it is the risk of the flight and the type of drone used that dictates the level of training and certification needed. In June 2020, Global Drone Training was updated from our CAA NQE status to the new designation of RAE (Recognised Assessment Entity). This means we now deliver the new General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC) and A2 Certificate of Competence (A2 CofC).

Our instructor team is carefully chosen and includes both unmanned and manned aviation specialists. The majority of our instructors are, or have been, commercial drone operators, so have a great understanding of the drone industry in their country. Having manned pilots on the team ensures that we keep up to date with the latest developments in integrating drones into UK airspace.

Global Drone Training offers practical flight training, theoretical competence courses and practical flight tests to meet the UK CAA drone regulations.

There are now two categories that most drone operators in the UK can choose to operate in, Open Category and Specific Category. Different certifications are required and the category of operation will be dictated by the type of drone and the potential risk to members of the public.

Our most comprehensive course is the full GVC Course. We have written the course so that everybody who completes the GVC Course also obtains A2 CofC certification on successful completion of the course. As a result, this provides everything you need to get going and work towards your CAA Operational Authorisation with the added bonus that it future-proofs you into the new regulations.

Our GVC course is issued with or without CAA Application Support. We would advise most people to take that support on first application as it shows you the process and can save a lot of time and frustration.

Our A2 CofC Course is for those pilots who wish to operate under the Open Category in the A2 or A1 Transitional subcategories. This one day course gives you everything you need to get going and also forms the first day of the GVC course, so if you ever want to upgrade to GVC, you just have to do day 2 and a Practical Flight Test.

Under the new regulations, there are no longer any exemptions for existing pilots who hold PPL, CPL or ATPL licences.

If you are changing aircraft category, for example adding a fixed-wing certification, then you may simply need to do a Practical Flight Test.

Current Operational Authorisation holders who have an existing NQE certification can do our GVC Conversion Course. This course will bring you bang up-to-date with the legislation and futureproof you into the new system as well as getting you your A2 CofC to operate under the A2 and A1 Transitional subcategories of the Open category. Since 1st January 2024, all remote pilots who fly under an CAA Operational Authorisation are required to hold a valid GVC certificate.

If you are not sure which option is right for you, please feel free to contact us for assistance. You can check availability and book courses though our shop.

CAA-approved remote pilot competence courses:

Flight training courses:

Confused by what you’ve heard about flying drones in the UK? It is not surprising… UK drone regulations have been constantly developing over the last few years and there have been 3 major changes over the last 18 months. At present, to operate a drone commercially in UK Airspace you either need a CAA Operational Authorisation (OA) or to operate under the Open Category. We deliver the full training GVC and A2CofC certification courses for the new UK drone regulations and we’d love to see you on one of our courses.