UAS Operations Managers
Every UK Operating Authorisation requires a named Operations Manager accountable for the safety, training and compliance of the flying team. heliguy supports both routes — train your own to the standard, or use our contracted Accountable Manager service.
What the role actually requires
Under a UK CAA Operating Authorisation (OA), the Operations Manager is accountable for flight authorisation, currency tracking, fleet airworthiness, risk assessment, incident reporting and ongoing alignment with the operations manual. It's the role the CAA escalates to when an operation doesn't go to plan.
For organisations starting out — or scaling from a single OA into a SAIL II operation — that responsibility quickly outgrows what an in-house pilot can sustain alongside flying duties.
Two routes
Train your own
The TQUK Level 5 Diploma in Drone Operations is the route most UK organisations take to qualify a senior team member for the Operations Manager role. Delivered through heliguy training and paired with practical mentoring across your first authorisation cycle.
Explore training →Contract ours
Our embedded Accountable Manager service places a qualified heliguy Operations Manager on your operation under contract — covering the named role, manual ownership, training oversight and CAA liaison. Useful when you need to start flying before your own staff are qualified, or as ongoing cover for a small team.
Scope a contract →Not sure which route fits?
Tell us the size of the team, the operation you're scoping and the timeline — we'll come back with the route that gets you airborne the soonest.