TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION
Global Drone Training offers a wide range of training and certification for operating drones in the UK and elsewhere.
UK CAA CERTIFICATIONS
UK INDUSTRY QUALIFICATIONS
FLIGHT TRAINING
ADVANCED COURSES
TRAINING COURSES FOR AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST
UK CAA CERTIFICATIONS
There are currently only two UK CAA certifications:
The A2 Certificate of Competence
The General Visual Line of Sight Certificate
You can find details of each these below and courses are available to be booked in our shop.
Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC)
As of the start of 2025 there will be two additional certifications for Remote Pilots with two more to follow over the coming months. These are the Remote Pilot Certificates Level 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Based on CAA consultations we can expect Remote Pilot Certificate Level 1(RPC L1) will be similar but different to the GVC and is the starting point for what will eventually be four levels or Remote Pilot Certificates. RPC L1 will differ from the GVC by having a more up to date syllabus with less emphasis on the Operator requirements and will focus more on the Remote Pilot’s skill sets. As such it will include a required amount of practical training with an approved RAE instructor. There will be a migration path from the GVC and more details will follow when we have them.
Remote Pilot Certificate Level 2 (RPC L2) will build on RPC L1 and introduce some basic Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) permitting. Additional training will be a pre-requisite but being able to fly around solid objects without having to land, reposition, land, reposition etc will definitely improve efficiency (and reduce boredom).
General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC)
The General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC) became the new standard in drone training in 2020. It is designed to tie in with the new UK drone regulations that came into force in December 2020, allowing you to operate under an Operational Authorisation in the Specific Category. The UK CAA will accept the GVC as proof of remote pilot competence when applying for an Operational Authorisation. All GVC Courses include the new A2 CofC as standard.
The GVC Theory Course covers all unmanned aircraft from 0-25 kg, regardless of aircraft type, so it covers both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.
The other aspect of applying for an Operational Authorisation from the CAA is the Operations Manual. As we work through the theory course we will begin to relate the course content to the Operations Manual and therefore its practical application.
The Practical Flight Test fulfils the CAA requirements with regard to practical competence. The practical competence is categorised by aircraft type. The Practical Flight Test is designed to test both your drone flying skills and the practical application of the knowledge and operational processes covered in the Theory Course. Drone Training Ltd provides £1M public liability insurance for your Practical Flight Test. We are not able to provide insurance for your equipment.
Unless the course is being delivered as part of custom onsite training the theory course is taught across 2 days.
This is then followed by an online 1:1 exam invigilation.
A Practical Flight Test then takes place at one of our locations across the UK.
A2 Certificate of Competence
The A2 Certificate of Competence (A2 CofC) Course was introduced in 2020. It was introduced by the CAA to meet the drone pilot competence requirements of the Open Category of the new UK drone regulations. The regulations are now in force and allow drone users to operate under the Open Category. The A2 CofC allows remote pilots to operate under the A2 and A1 Transitional subcategories of the Open category, granting you the right to operate larger drones closer to uninvolved people.
The A2 CofC Course consists of 4 theory modules. There is no formal practical requirement, but you are required to self-declare your drone flying experience. Once you have your A2 CofC it allows you to operate appropriate drones under the A2 and A1 Transitional subcategories of the UK CAA Open Category. These categories became active on 31st December 2020 and your A2 CofC is valid for 5 years from the point of issue.
The A2 CofC is a one day theory course. We have also designed the course to form day 1 of the GVC course. So, if you wish to upgrade to GVC to operate under the Specific category within 5 years of your A2 CofC certification you will just need to complete day 2 of the GVC Theory Course and a Practical Flight Test.
This is then followed by an online 1:1 exam invigilation.
A self declaration of training and submission of flight logs to reflect this training must be submitted.
UK INDUSTRY QUALIFICATIONS
Global Drone Training are proud to be the first ECITB Approved Training Provider (ATP) to be able to offer the Foundation Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Course, launched in February 2023. The course aims to provide a benchmark for remote pilots who intend to operate drones in complex engineering construction environments. The course content was designed in collaboration with leading industrial users of drones and aims to bridge the knowledge gaps that exist when moving from general drone operations to industrial drone operations. Companies who wish to contract drone services will use this ECITB course as a benchmark to simplify the procurement process.
The course is suitable for remote pilots who wish to move into industrial use of drones and for ECI companies who wish their operatives to begin to use drones as part of site operations.
The ECITB Foundation Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Course consists of a mix of theoretical and practical training modules that aim to develop your remote pilot skills and ensure that your theoretical knowledge and practical skills meet the stringent requirements of the engineering construction industry.
The theory is spread over 5 modules; Platform, Path, People, Procedures and Planning. Each theory module provides the opportunity to deepen your knowledge on a specific area of industrial drone operations. As remote pilots will have different starting points, knowledge-sharing will be encouraged during the course.
Practical modules will be tailored to different remote pilot skill levels, as it is expected that candidates may come from different flying backgrounds. The aim is to prepare you to carry out a skills test that goes beyond the basic skills you may have demonstrated on other UK drone certifications. On the foundation course, the skills test will be carried out in a safe environment, but expect you to demonstrate:
- Precise control of your drone in different conditions
- The ability to fly in proximity to structures
- The ability to obtain high quality data
- The ability to manage data securely in line with site procedures
During the 5 day course, all candidates will sit a theory examination, produce a risk assessment under assessed conditions and carry out a practical skills assessment.
To find out about the next available course dates please get in touch with the team.
FLIGHT TRAINING
Global Drone Training offers basic to advanced flight training on a range of platforms and aircraft types. From basic multirotor to advanced fixed wing and everything inbetween we can cater for your needs.
Some of the areas available include:
- How to choose your drone
- Setting up your drone
- Understanding airspace
- Basic flight training
- Dealing with emergencies
- Automated flight
Please get in touch with the team to discuss any particular needs and if you want to book flight training please visit the shop here.
ADVANCED TRAINING
Global Drone Training can provide specific platform training and also cover specialist subjects such as photogrammetry and LIDAR.
Global Drone Training also offers specific regulation courses and workshops for those that are responsible for drone operations but are not trained as Remote Pilots.
TRAINING COURSES FOR AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST
Working with our partners in Africa and the Middle East we are pleased to be able to offer training solutions to satisfy the requirements of different civil aviation authorities. Sometimes this means providing training to the same standard as the UK certifications although our preferred approach is to help develop country specific courses that not only satisfy the civil aviation authorities but are also much more relevant to the environment that the Remote Pilots will find themselves.