EASA regulations effective from 31st December 2020
What are the main changes?
From 31st December 2020 the EU / EASA Regulations will come into force. There will be no distinction between Hobby and Commercial Drone Pilots.
Drone Pilots will fall into the below two categories.
Open Category and the Specified Category
Open Category Explained
Hobby vs professional Vs Commercial
From 31st December 2020, there will be no distinction between Hobby and Commercial Drone Pilots.
The Open category (A2 CofC) can suit all types of flights, from recreational to professional. However, there are differences compared to the Specific category (GVC).
We have simplified the Open category, just above to help you understand and determine your training requirements.
It is important to refer to the table that the CAA has created, which is available below. It contains all the information you require.
Open Category Drone classification table
The A2 Certificate of Competence ( A2 CoC )
A2 CoC Online Course £99
What does this allow you to do?
- This allows you to operate drones between 250G and 500G in the A1/C1 Category. In real terms this means no minimum distances with NO flying over people.
- C2 drones up to 4kgs. 5M, 30 and or 50M minimum distances.
- Current market drones until 01/01/23 upto 2KGs. Zero to 50M minimum distances.
- Fly to your permission across Europe!
What do you get from us?
We send you the required learning Syllabus and you can learn this in your own time.
We enrol you onto our E Learning Package to help make sense of the regulations.
You can take the examination online in the comfort of your own home.
A certificate confirming you have achieved A2 Certificate of Competency.
Specified category
General VLOS Certificate
Operating in the specific category will require the operator to hold a GVC also known as a General VLOS Certificate.
GVC/PfCO Course £550
What does this allow you to do?
- Operate Current market and future market drones up to 25KGs
- Conduct far more complex flights
- Fly over people with RA and mitigation measures
- Future training allowing 2KM distance flights.
- Fly to your permission across Europe!
What do you get from us?
We send you the required learning Syllabus and you can learn this in your own time.
Upon booking we send you the required learning Syllabus and you can learn this in your own time. We arrange a webinar / video conference to cover the key areas.
We also provide 1-1 video calls to discuss any points of confusion.
Online Theoretical Examination, instant pass or fail result. Feedback and one free retake included.
Operations Manual template and guidance on how to write it with optional writing service.
Practical Examination at a mutually convenient date.
Certificates confirming your General Visual Line of Sight Competence which supports your application for an Operational Authorisation.
We have a private Facebook group where we can all keep in touch and Andy or Scotty are more than happy to help past students with any queries / guidance they might need in the future.
This essentially replaces the PfCO permission system and course. There will be future building block training. We will be offering Module 1 which will allow flights out to 2KM.
What if i have a pfco?
Your permission is still valid
Your PfCO will be valid and you will not suddenly become illegal. It will be referred to as an OPERATIONAL AUTHORISATION.
However you will need to re-train and obtain a GVC by 2023 to operate from 31/12/2023.
You can also obtain an A2 CofC and have this alongside your PfCO / Operational Authorisation.
What are my options to retrain?
We are providing GVC Upskill Courses. Please take a look at our product page to see the minimum requirements to take this course.
GVC Module 1 courses will be available later in 2021. This will allow flights out to 2KM in certain circumstances.