EASA regulations effective from November 2020
What are the main changes?
From November 2020, 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 November 2020, there will be no distinction between Hobby and Commercial Drone Pilots.
This Category fits Professional Pilots, Hobby Pilots and Commercial flights. There are restrictions in place and are more strict than the Specified Category.
The Open Category is split into 3 Sections. Drones are split into CE Marked Classes which fall into certain Open Category Sections.
Drones will fall into classes based on their Maximum Take off Mass or Flying Weight.
The UK will interpret the term within the Open category only as follows:
▪ Unmanned aircraft marked with a Class marking (C0 to C4) – MTOM will continue to be used as defined
▪ Unmanned aircraft without a Class marking – any reference to MTOM or ‘take-off mass’ should be taken to mean the weight of the unmanned aircraft at any time while it is in flight (which will be referred to as the ‘flying weight’)
Open Category Drone classification table
What does this mean for me??
A1 Category - Fly over people
A3 Category - Fly far from people
A1 Category - Fly over people
This Section of the Open Category was created to define the flights that you might make with toy aircraft.
The table above details that drones under 250G fall into this section.
However, there is a transitional period for the U.K which means that any drone upto 500G ( If the Pilot undertakes the A2 CoC Exam) can fly in the section of the Open Category.
This is very significant. You could fly a Parot Anafi / Mavic Air 1 and you would not have any minimum distances to adhere to.......
A2 - Fly Close to People
A3 Category - Fly far from people
A1 Category - Fly over people
The A2 subcategory will allow you to fly closer to people if you hold an A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC).
You must maintain a minimum horizontal distance of 50M at all times
You’ll be able to fly down to 30m of uninvolved people, or down to 5m if the aircraft has been switched to a low-speed mode, provided you have a C2 Class Drone.
You cannot fly UAS with a MTOM of no more than 4 kg.
You must abide by the 1:1 Rule at all times.
A3 Category - Fly far from people
A3 Category - Fly far from people
A3 Category - Fly far from people
The A3 Category is there to allow YOU to purchase a Drone and enjoy flying it without undertaking any traiing, other than completing the CAA Drone Registration Scheme.
As you can see from the table above, you are able to fly drones upto 25KG BUT you must FLY FAR FROM PEOPLE at all times.
This means you must remain 150M from people and congested areas.
The A2 Certificate of Competence ( A2 CoC )
A2 CoC Online Course £199
What does this allow you to do?
- This allows you to operate drones up to 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 June 2022 upto 2KGs. 30M/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 arrange regular webinar / video conferences to iron out the points of confusion.
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 and an overall recommendation from us to support 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.
We even attended the first commercial jobs of our past customers ( if requested ) just to offer guidance to cool off those nerves!!
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. You will be able to operate under the privileges of the PfCO until 2024. It will be referred to as an OPERATIONAL AUTHORISATION.
What are my options to retrain?
We are currently both an NQE and RAE.
This means we are able to provide A2 CoC / GVC and PfCO Courses.
GVC Module 1 courses will be available later in 2020. This will allow flights out to 2KM in certain circumstances.