Commercial drone training in the UK is changing! On 31st December 2020, the UK CAA will adopt the new EASA drone regulations. This means that there will no longer be a separation between recreational and commercial drone use, it is the risk of the flight and the type of drone used that will dictate 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 can 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 operational assessments to meet the CAA and EASA regulatory requirements.

Our most popular course has always been the Pilot Competence Course with PfCO Support. Although the content won’t cahnge much this is now being adapted to become the GVC Course. We have written the course so that everybody who completes the GVC Course 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 PfCO (until December 2020) 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. When purchased with a GVC Course, our Application Support also includes support for your first renewal as well.

Our A2 CofC Course is for those pilots who wish to operate under the EASA 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.

Remote pilots who are exempt from the theory element of the course (generally because they hold a manned aviation licence such as a PPL or ATPL) can progress straight to the Operational Assessment (see separate pricing and information here), but still have full access to our PfCO support process. We are ending this route in September 2020 as there are no longer exemptions for manned aviation licence holders under the new EASA regulations.

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 PfCO 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 future-proof 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.

If you are not sure which option is right for you, please feel free to contact us for assistance.

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 need a CAA Permission for Commercial Operations (PfCO). Although regulations are going to change over the next two years to create consistent European drone rules, holding a remote pilot competence certification and a PfCO will assist with transition to higher categories of the European drone regulations. We are now in a position to deliver the full training for the new EASA drone regulations and we’d love to see you on one of our courses.