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. From 1st January 2026. the C-Class drone certifications will be recognised in the UK. This will give even more flexibility to fly closer to uninvolved people to owners of C-Class drones.
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
GVC Renewal
If your GVC qualification is due to expire in the next 6 months you can renew it for another 5 years. This requires the following: –
- Your current GVC must be valid (in date)
- You must pass the current GVC theory examination
- Your pilot logbook must show that you are current, i.e. at least 2 hours of flight time in the precediing 3 months. This applies for each aircraft category, i.e. Rotary and/or Fixed Wing.
Provided you are able to meet the above conditions you will not need to retake a GVC flight assessment.
Option 1. The CAA allows you to just take the GVC theory exam without the need to complete the online course. We offer the exam only option, with access to a mock examination, for £180 including VAT. Should you not pass the exam on the first attempt you must then complete the full online course for an additional fee of £270 including VAT.
Option 2. If you prefer to have access to the online course to study before you take the formal exam the fee is £270 including VAT. This includes two exam attempts.
Please Note: If you are unable to meet all the criteria for renewal you will have to complete the full GVC course, including a GVC flight assessment. The fee for this is £750 including VAT.
Please email us if you would like to renew your GVC
A2 CofC Renewal
If your A2 Certificate of Competency qualification is due to expire in the next 6 months you can renew it for another 5 years. This requires the following: –
- Your current A2 CofC must be valid (in date)
- You must pass the current A2 CofC theory examination
- Your pilot logbook must show that you have been flying reasonably regularly over the last two months.
Option 1. The CAA allows you to just take the A2 CofC theory exam without the need to complete the online course. We offer the exam only option, with access to a mock examination, for £60 including VAT. Should you not pass the exam on the first attempt you must then complete the full online course for an additional fee of £75
Option 2. If you prefer to have access to the online course to study before you take the formal exam the fee is £75 including VAT. This includes two exam attempts.
Please email us if you would like to renew your A2 CofC.