About our courses
Our innovative remote learning courses allow you to study at a time and place which suits you and at your own pace. You will not need to take time away from work or travel to attend a classroom-based course. You will not have to sit through any classroom based training. Instead, you will study using our Online Learning System. This system will take you through the syllabus and give you plenty of opportunity to test your knowledge by taking quizzes and a mock examination covering the whole syllabus. When you feel ready you will then take your theory examination online too. All of this can be done from your home at a time and pace to suit you. Our courses may be accessed using a mobile device, however it may be difficult to see some of the diagrams on a small device. To take the formal exam you will need a laptop computer with webcam or a desktop with a separate webcam.
The A2 Certificate of Competency
The A2 CofC is the first level course and with The UAV Academy, it can be completed entirely at home. This qualification allows you to legally fly your drone in more demanding locations (such as built-up areas) and to fly closer to uninvolved people. Holding an A2 CofC means that you can operate in the new A2 sub-category, no matter if it’s for recreational or commercial reasons.
The A2 sub-category allows flight with drones weighing up to 2kg. If you are flying a drone 501g or over you will have to keep it at least 50m away from uninvolved people. You will be able to fly in built-up areas provided you maintain this distance from uninvolved people. With a drone weighing less than 500g (eg. Mavic Air, Mini, Parrot Anafi) you will be able to fly as close to uninvolved people as you feel is safe, provided you do not deliberately fly overhead them.
The A2 CofC requires you to complete a theory course and take a formal invigilated theory exam. The exam is 30 multiple-choice questions and you have to score 75% to pass. You also have to complete some practical flight training which can be self-training or time with one of our instructors.
The big advantages of the A2 CofC are that you do not need an operations manual and there is no requirement to submit any sort of application to the CAA. As soon as you have completed the course and have been issued with your certificate you can fly in the A2 sub-category for both recreational and commercial purposes.
Course Elements
- Online Learning ( 3 modules)
- Quizzes to check your knowledge
- Mock examination
- Theory Examination is taken online at home
- Self-training to fly, or book a half day with one of our intructors (additional cost)
- Issue of your A2 Certificate of Competency
The General VLOS Certificate
The GVC is required if you wish to act as remote pilot under a CAA Authorisation for operations in the Specific Category. This will allow you to pilot a drone with a maximum take-off mass (weight) of up to 25kg. It allows you to fly in a built up area provided you fly no closer than 50m to uninvolved people. This distance reduces to 30m on take-off and landing.
Course Elements
Stage 1 – Theory
- Online Learning (9 modules)
- Online live video meetings with your instructor
- Quizzes to check your knowledge
- Mock examination covering entire syllabus
- Theory Examination is taken online at home
Stage 2 – Operations Manual and Flight Assessment
- Creation of your Operations Manual based on our Standard
- Our review, feedback and approval of your Ops Manual
- Flight Assessment (half a day at one of our assessment locations)
- Free Flight Assessment insurance with Coverdrone
- A final check of all documentation required for your CAA Operational Authorisation application
- GVC issued
The GVC Transition Course
If you have already completed a PfCO course and have been issued with an NQE Certificate of Recommendation you are able to ‘upgrade’ to the GVC qualification by taking our GVC Transition Course.
From 1st January 2024, remote pilots must hold the GVC qualification to be able to fly under a CAA Operational Authorisation. You may, however, start and complete the GVC Transition course after 1st January 2024.
Provided you fulfil all the following criteria you will not need to take a GVC flight assessment.
- A Certificate of Recommendation (or BNUC-s) issued by an NQE on completion of the old PfCO course.
- Your pilot log shows a minimum of 2 hours logged flight time in the previous 3 months and evidence of reasonably regular flying
If you are unable to provide evidence of the above you will have to undertake the full GVC course
The GVC Transition Course includes
- Online Learning
- Quizzes to check your knowledge
- Theory Examination is taken online at home
- Access to our Standard operations manual.
