So you want to use drones for commercial purposes?
The HALO Advanced GVC Drone Training Course is our flagship course, confirming that successful candidates have the required competency to operate within Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) in the Specific category, as governed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Culminating in a theoretical examination and a practical flight test, it is a comprehensive “all inclusive” package that will give you the necessary knowledge and tools to safely fly drones in a commercial setting.
The GVC qualification can be built upon in the future by “add on modules”, increasing your competency and allowing more freedom (reduced proximities to uninvolved persons, flying beyond visual line of sight) for your drone business.
What is a GVC?
The General Visual Line of Site Certificate (GVC) is a new qualification that came into effect as part of the European UAS regulations in November 2020. By holding this qualification, you will be able to show that you have the technical and operational knowledge to safely operate your drone within Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) in the specific category.
What about the PfCO?
If you’ve been researching drone training for some time, you may have come across the requirement for a “Permission for Commercial Operations” (PfCO). This was the previous authorisation required by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for commercial operations, which has now been replaced by “Operational Authorisation” which can be obtained by completing this course.
Course Brochure
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Not sure which drone training course is right for you? Speak to our experts and we’ll help to guide you through the process
Advanced Course Enquiry
The most comprehensive GVC Drone Training Course available
No more death by PowerPoint
HALO Drones is the ONLY CAA approved drone training school to use Practical and Scenario based training methods as the foundations of our course design. These keep you engaged and put content into context, making it relevant, understandable and memorable.
100% Extra Value
Rather than giving you content to remember, our training methods help you develop skills that will allow you to apply your knowledge on the job so that you can present yourself with confidence and competence in front of your clients, helping you win work and separate yourself from your competitors.
Drone-specific expert instructors
Our instructors are all current commercial drone pilots. Combined, they have thousands of logged hours of operational experience for your learning benefit. They have also successfully taught over 1,000 commercial drone operators within the UK.
Maximum class sizes
We do not operate as a meat factory and minimise the number of attendees to no more than 10. This ensures substantial contact time between you and your and instructor, to ensure you have the attention they need and a chance to ask important questions.
GVC Course Options
GVC (LITE)
£252 Inc. VAT- Entry level product which is ideal if you want to learn in your own time with minimal expense.
- Everything you need to get your GVC theory certificate to operate in the Specific category with an Operational Authorisation:
- On demand
- Self directed learning
- Online theory exam
- In person flight assessment at one of our sites
- GVC certificate on completion
GVC Course Enquiry
GVC (COMP)
£600 Inc. VAT- Ideal if you want instructor led learning to help consolidate your understanding. 2 days remote online instruction with a professional drone pilot.
- Everything you need to get your GVC theory certificate to operate in the Specific category with an Operational Authorisation:
- Live remote online learning with engaging tasks and activities
- Instructor directed 2 day ground school
- Online theory exam
- In person flight assessment at one of our sites
- GVC & A2 CofC certificate on completion
GVC Course Enquiry
GVC - Upgrade from A2 CofC
10% discount on current course price- For HALO candidates who would like to progress from an A2 CofC to GVC.
- Everything you'll need to achieve your GVC qualification:
- LITE or COMP options
- Online theory exam
- Practical flight assessment
- GVC Certificate on completion
Advanced Course Enquiry
FAST TRACK GVC
£2000 Inc. VAT- For candidates who would like to progress through the full GVC in just 5 consecutive days.
- Everything you need to get your GVC certificate to operate in the Specific category with an Operational Authorisation:
- Practical flight training focusing on basic handling skills
- Handling skills development, demo flight assessment and mock test
- Live remote online learning with engaging tasks and activities
- Instructor directed 2 day ground school
- Online theory exam
- In person flight assessment at one of our sites
- GVC & A2 CofC certificate on completion
Advanced Course Enquiry
Operations Manual Course - Addition to GVC
LITE Operations Manual Course
Additional £120 Inc. VAT when purchased with a GVC Course- Ideal if you're conducting simple operations with a small team of pilots.
- Operations manual template
- Operations manual review x 2
- Online video tutorials
Advanced Course Enquiry
COMPREHENSIVE Operations Manual Course
Additional £240 Inc. VAT when purchased with a GVC Course- Ideal if you're operating regularly in congested area's with a team of pilots and need extra support to complete the OM
- Operations manual template
- Operations manual review x 3
- 1 Hour of 1:1 support with an instructor to complete the OM
Advanced Course Enquiry
A revolutionary approach to GVC drone training
We believe learning should be fun! We have used our expertise and experience to redesign the concept of what is considered a normal course. We have incorporated modern adult learning and assessment methodologies which will accelerate your learning, so that you are better prepared for the competitive and challenging world of commercial drones.
We have given a lot of consideration to the logistics of our course and ensure it represents good value for money. This means we provide a lot of learning hours with minimal contact time ensuring expenses are minimised, and people can fit the course into their busy lives.
There really isn’t another course like HALO’s GVC Course.
What’s included in the GVC course?
- All reference materials, workbooks & handouts
- 2-day ground school on the comprehensive course option (Remote and Face to Face options now available)
- All day refreshments and lunch both days (Face to Face option)
- Theory exam & flight assessment
- Certificate
- Support from the HALO instructors
- Access to our exclusive Facebook group for HALO alumni
HALO GVC Course Brochure
Find out more about our GVC course and how it can help you in your journey to becoming a professional drone pilot.
HALO GVC Course Brochure
Testimonial
"The initial discussions / sales pitch was much better than other training companies providing a lot more information and background on the industry, regulations, your company and the course, indicating a solid knowledge base and commitment to education / training. As a local authority I wanted to ensure we were trained thoroughly and properly and not just going through the motions to obtain necessary CAA permissions."
Joe Brickley Bristol City Council
Course Details
Who should attend this course?
Whether you intend to progress your hobby, become a pilot for an existing drone company, start a new business or add drones to your existing one, this course has been specifically designed for people looking to fly drones for commercial purposes.
This is the higher level of training for professional drone pilots and is aimed at beginners who either have little or no prior experience with drones. Therefore, there is no requirement for any pre-existing knowledge or qualifications.
Course Objectives
To provide sufficient knowledge to pass theory and flight assessments. To provide a framework for operations through scenario based experiential teaching. To teach you to be self-sufficient (learn how to find the information rather than memorise it).
Course Outcomes
Once you have submitted an approved operations manual and are successful in passing both the theory and flight assessments, you will receive a GVC Certificate. This can be used in the application for an Operational Authorisation or allow you to operate for another drone operator.
Course Content
The following areas of knowledge will be covered: Airmanship, Air Law, Airspace, Meteorology, Human Factors, Aircraft Knowledge. This syllabus is mandated by the CAA for all RAE’s. By the end of this course you will understand and be able to apply the knowledge required to make you a competent and safe drone pilot.
Course Prerequisites
No prior knowledge or experience is required prior to booking onto this course, although if you do have experience it will be beneficial. The minimum age for attendance is 14 for pilots flying for a company with an existing Operational Authorisation or PfCO. The minimum age for applying for an Operational Authorisation is 18 years of age. The drone that you conduct your flight assessment with must be the one that you are looking to apply for an Operational Authorisation is with (Multirotor or Fixed wing).
Laptop or desktop computer with a webcam and microphone in order to participate in the remote theory assessment. Mobile phones and tablets are NOT acceptable.
We recommend a minimum of 10 hours practice flying prior to booking a flight assessment, and our additional practical flight training options can help save a lot of time and money along the learning and development process.
Terms and Conditions
25% of the course fee is non refundable once you have received the course materials
75% of the course fee is non refundable once you have completed the ground school
Any refund will be issued as credit on account
You have 6 months to complete the course after enrolment
You have a maximum of three attempts to pass the theory assessment before having to re attend the ground school
Reassessments are charged at £50 inc VAT for a theory and £180 inc VAT for a flight assessment
Deferring your attendance of a ground school course costs £50 inc VAT if done within 2 weeks prior to the start date
Any late/no show or time wasting during the theory assessment will incur a rescheduling fee
Cancellations or postponements to the theory assessment booking will incur a rescheduling fee if made within 24 hours of the start time
Course Structure
Stage 1: Distance Learning
First you will learn the knowledge needed to operate drones with help of our unique interactive course handbook. This is full of quick quizzes, tops tips, anecdotes and illustrations to help make the information relevant and bring it alive so thats its an informative and enjoyable read. If you have a drone and feel confident to fly it, then any flying experience will help put things into context.
Stage 2: Ground School
The 2-day ground school focuses on consolidating your understanding of the knowledge you have gained when reading the handbook by guiding you through the workflow process for delivering a real world scenario over the course of the two days. This puts the knowledge you’ve learnt into context and makes you familiar with what to expect in preparation for your first job.
Remote Ground School
The remote ground school includes a series of engaging activities based around a real world scenario and is facilitated using the MS Teams video conferencing software. Originally created in response to the UK lockdown, it has proved to be a very popular course and we have now replaced all face to face courses with the remote course option only. You can learn from the comfort of your own home or office without the hassle of commuting or booking accommodation. It limits any problems related to the virus, cancelling and postponing is far simpler and it’s cheaper!
Stage 3: Operations Manual Development
Once the ground school is complete the candidate will need to prepare for their assessment day. The flight assessment must be completed in accordance with an approved operations manual that is specific to your organisation. If you need guidance in completing your Operations Manual, we advise that you enrol onto our Ops Manual add-on course at the time of booking your GVC.
We offer two options for helping to complete your Operations Manual:
Suitable for those who need an Operations Manual to deliver simple operations in the specific category.
Operations Manual COMPREHENSIVE Course
Suitable for those who need an Operations Manual to deliver complex operations such as flying in congested areas.
Stage 4: Theory Assessment
Once you feel ready, you can book and conduct your theory test online. From the comfort and convenience of your own home, you can complete your assessment in a matter of minutes and have your result shortly after.
Stage 5: Flight Assessment
Once the operations manual has been approved you feel prepared, you can then book your flight assessment day. 3 hours is allocated for the assessment which gives plenty of time. and it’s conducted as if it’s a typical commercial operation.
Stage 5: Application to CAA for an Operational Authorisation
Upon successful completion of the two assessments, HALO Drones will provide a GVC Certificate and guidance on how to apply for a Operational Authorisation using the CAA online application form.
Contact Us
Types of courses
Open Courses
These are great for individuals to book on to. You will share the ground school with people from all sorts of backgrounds which will inevitably stimulate networking and discussion. We have set dates for these and they can be viewed ON THIS PAGE.
Bespoke Courses
These are preferable for any company with multiple individuals looking for a private and bespoke course. We can come to your venue and tailor the course structure to suit your organisational needs. Prices vary depending on numbers, location and course structure.
ORDER A BESPOKE COURSE
Please get in touch with our personable staff to discuss your requirements so that we can create a specific quote for your course.
Enquire about a Bespoke Course
FAQ's
What if I fail either of the assessments?
If you fail any assessments, you will be allowed to re-sit subject to the following criteria:
A mark within 25% of the pass mark – A resit is permitted after a minimum of 1 week.
A mark outside 25% of the pass mark – A resit is permitted after a minimum of 2 weeks.
You can complete a maximum of three attempts in either of the assessments, before having to attend another course. There is a charge, but before you worry about the cost implications of failing, we would like to reassure you that our course structure and training methodology has been designed to reduce the likelihood of this happening. We don’t want you to fail, and the charge is merely to cover our expenses.
What is not included on the course?
Operation Manual support and the CAA’s application fee for an Operational Authorisation which is currently £253.00 (March 2022). The yearly renewal fee is currently £190 also. Visit the CAA website for the latest information.
If you require support with writing your Operations Manual, you can choose to join one of our OM courses as an add-on to your GVC.
Do you supply drones for training?
Yes, we supply a range of DJI Drones, including the DJI Mini 2, DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise and the DJI Mavic 3.
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