Product dossier
What you need to do to pass your GVC
Become A Qualified Drone Pilot
- Online Learning:
On-demand online learning through the heliguy™ Learning Management System. The content, delivered by the heliguy™ instructors, covers all you need to know to pass the GVC. Access live support from heliguy™ in-house instructors from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
- Remote Theory Exam:
Sit your exam remotely via webcam. Answer 40 multiple-choice questions, covering air law/responsibilities, UAS airspace operating principles, and airmanship and aviation safety.
- Practical Flight Assessment:
Conduct this assessment at one of our UK venues. Demonstrate your ability to control your drone safely and accurately through a series of manoeuvres.
- Drone Operations Manual:
Submitted to the UK CAA, this document explains how you will conduct operations in the Specific Category under UKPDRA-01. It covers areas such as safety, incident reporting, flight planning, and emergencies. Our Operations Manual creation service streamlines this process and meets the highest industry standards against the requirements of BS ISO 21384-3: 2019.
- Operational Authorisation:
Once you have passed your GVC, you can apply to the UK CAA for an Operational Authorisation.
Full specifications
Manuals & documents
Customer reviews
“Very fun and staff Lois and Bradley very knowledgeable.”
“Lois and Brad delivered an excellent course. Thoroughly covering the topics and showing excellent knowledge when asked additional questions on UAS operations. The online course and handbook and additional content is modern and excellently laid out. Would highly recommend heliguy for your GVC training.”
“Louis and Brad took out initial GVC course, the course was well delivered and great knowledge. Great help every step of the way”
“The course was really well delivered and the trainers made every aspect enjoyable and engaging. The trainers were also very supportive and approachable”
“Well run course taking me from complete beginner to having a structure to follow and build from”
“Course was very good and instructors were very good , happy with the support provided and helped me pass . Instructors very knowledgeable.”
“A hugely enjoyable and challenging course made easier by two very knowledgeable instructors, Andrew & Lois. Every aspect of the course was covered in great detail and any questions anyone had were explained fully. The classroom inputs provided the knowledge and understanding to take on the practical aspects of the course. The instructors were able to get the best out of everyone and rectify any issues we had. A fantastic course run by great instructors, who clearly have a passion for teaching and operating UAS.”
“Lois and Andrew were absolute top trainers during the whole course. The course was extremely well structured, informative, and up to date, but what really made the experience stand out were the trainers. The balance between theory and practical guidance was spot on, trainers made sure you sure you were safe and confident to fly, getting myself and whole team ready for the practical assessment. If you’re considering drone training, Heliguy and especially Lois and Andrew set the bar very high. An outstanding course delivered by trainers who clearly care about what they do and about their candidates.”
“Fantastic tuition and guidance throughout the GVC course. Instructors very approachable and helpful and helped with confidence greatly to successfully complete the course. Highly recommend for official flight training.”
Frequently asked questions
What Is The GVC?⌄
The GVC (General Visual Line of Sight Certificate) is a remote pilot competency certificate. It provides a single qualification that is suitable for VLOS (Visual Line of Sight) operations within the Specific Category.
Mainly aimed at enterprise drone pilots, the Specific Category covers operations that present a greater risk than that of the Open category, or where one or more elements of the operation fall outside the boundaries of the Open category.
Drones such as the DJI M350 RTK, DJI M300 RTK, DJI M30 Series, and Inspire 3, fall into this category. Depending on operational requirements, there may also be pilots of aircraft such as the Phantom 4 RTK or Mavic 3 Enterprise Series who choose to sit the GVC instead of an A2 CofC (for operation in the Open Category).
The Specific Category hinges on an Operational Authorisation being held by the drone operator, which has been issued by the CAA, before the operation can commence.
Please note, a £500 fee to the CAA applies when applying for a UKPDRA-01 Operational Authorisation.
The GVC is acceptable for all VLOS operations conducted under a PDRA.
What Is An Operational Authorisation?⌄
The Operational Authorisation – which has replaced the term PfCO – is based upon a risk assessment that is completed by the UAS operator, or through a series of Pre-Defined Risk Assessments (PDRA).
This means that individuals or organisations that wish to operate a drone within the Specific Category must either provide a risk assessment to the CAA (by following the OSC – Operating Safety Case – process), or adhere to the requirements of the PDRA.
Please note, a £500 fee to the CAA applies when applying for a UK PDRA-01 Operational Authorisation.
UPDATE - APRIL 2025: Please note that the Operating Safety Case methodology has now been replaced by UK SORA. To find out more, click here.
What Do I Have To Do In The GVC Drone Exam?⌄
The GVC examination – sat in formal conditions – will comprise a minimum of 40 multiple-choice questions.
There will be a minimum of five questions in each of the following subject areas:
• Air law/responsibilities;
• UAS airspace operating principles;
• Airmanship and aviation safety.
• The exam will be a closed-book format (except when questions require reference to charts, or other sources of specific aeronautical information) and the minimum overall pass mark is 75%.
The examination is 60 minutes in length. Any candidate with a recognised disability or additional needs (e.g. dyslexia or dyspraxia) should be granted an extra 10% of the allocated assessment time to complete the examination.
Sit your GVC drone exam remotely using a webcam. For your exam, you will require:
• A quiet, private space
• Desktop or laptop
• Webcam
• Microphone
• A reliable internet connection
• Photographic ID (if you don't have photo ID, you will need to complete the exam at heliguy™ HQ during office hours).
What Do I Have To Do In The GVC Practical Flight Test?⌄
The GVC practical flight test is designed to provide assurance that the remote pilot being examined can safely undertake a wide range of VLOS operations within the Specific Category, including those conducted under a published PDRA, whilst adhering to a set of procedures contained within an Operations Manual.
The test will be conducted outdoors and candidates must sufficiently show competence in a range of pre-and-post-flight actions, and in-flight procedures.
All candidates must complete the practical flight test.
The practical flight examination can be conducted at one of our UK training venues, or at a venue of your choice if you are undertaking a closed course training programme.
Do I Need To Do Anything Other Than My GVC?⌄
Yes. You must complete the CAA’s Drone and Model Aircraft Registration and Education Service free online competency test, and be in possession of the Flyer ID number associated with that test.
This must be done before you start the heliguy™ GVC training.
How Long Does My GVC Last For?⌄
The GVC is valid for a period of five years from the date that the examination was taken.
What Happens If I Fail The GVC Exam/Flight Assessment?⌄
heliguy™ offers free resits. If you have not completed your practical flight assessment/Operations Manual within a year of passing your exam, you will be required to re-do the exam.
Do I need any kind of insurance before I take the course?⌄
No - heliguy™ offers free insurance for your practical flight assessment through our partners at Coverdrone.
Once you're operating commercially of course, you'll need to have insurance in place to protect your operations and your equipment.