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CAA General Visual Line of Sight (GVC) Course (incl. Practical Flight Training)

Learn how to fly a drone with one of the UK’s leading authorised drone training schools

Price

From ÂŁ1095 +VAT

Just the 3 day course

Stay on-site

ÂŁ1195 +VAT

3 day course, 2 nights accommodation, including meals

Everything you need to pass your course

  • 3 days

    theoretical course & examination

  • Practical workshop session to complete your operations manual on the course

  • Hands-on flying to reinforce theory lessons

  • Instructor stays on-site with you, day and night

Staying on-site

  • 2 nights accommodation

  • Breakfast, lunch and 2 course evening meal

  • Unlimited hot and cold beverages throughout the course

  • Free WiFi

Our CAA Drone Training Courses (residential or non-residential) are held at very convenient locations within easy access from all the main transport links.

The benefit with this course is that you pay only one fee and we take care of everything else – all you need to do is get to the venue where we will have taken care of all the bookings! There is no prior reading required for any of our courses as we take you from the very basics right up to being ready to sit the examination. We also believe in Quality not Quantity and as such we limit our course sizes to a maximum of 8 students.

Included in this package

  • 3 day theoretical course & examination
  • Practical workshop session so you can complete your operations manual whilst on the course
  • Hands On Flying to reinforce the theory lessons
  • Flight Assessment
  • 2 Nights Accommodation
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • 2 Course Evening Meal
  • WiFi
  • Student Study Guide
  • Unlimited hot and cold Beverages throughout the course
  • Business Start-up advice

We also offer a unique service where your instructor stays at the venue and is on hand every evening should you require any one to one revision or consolidation on any of the topics or simply want to discuss the industry over dinner.

Operations Manual

Writing an Operations Manual once you have left the course and having the usual distractions of work and home life can be a time consuming process – ask anyone who has written one! The benefit of the DPA course is that once you have sat the theoretical exam we then have a practical workshop on writing your operations manual where we take you through, step by step, the compilation of your manual.

By the time the course is complete, most of you will have completed your manuals. This is INCLUDED in the package and we don’t charge for this additional service.

When you are content that your Operations Manual is at a stage ready to submit to the CAA then our staff at the DPA will proof read it as many times as required until we are confident it will pass muster when they review it.

Once we get to the stage where we think your Operations Manual meets the mark we will then book your flight assessment at a mutually convenient time at one of our flight assessment venues.

On successful completion of all aspects of the training, examination, Operations Manual and flight assessment we will issue you withe GVC certificate to present to the CAA so they can issue your Operational Authorisation.

This certificate tells the CAA that you have been trained and assessed by one of the leading authorised training schools! We are also on hand to assist you with the online application and provide guidance throughout to ensure this is a seamless process for you. The only additional cost at this stage is levied by the CAA for your application and is currently ÂŁ253.

Drone Training

Learn how to fly from the best: all of our trainers are ex-military aviators with a wealth of experience in training and instruction.

  • CAA GVC Courses
  • A2 Certificate of Competence Courses
  • PfCO to GVC Conversion Courses
  • See all our courses

“Might be able to fly a drone but can't drive! Cutting up a 44t Truck cos you can't plan in advance to exit. Absolute idiot! People like you cause accidents!”

“Richie and Chris delivered the course with expertise and professionalism. They covered a lot of ground in the three days, and the pre-prepared documents and assistance with the Ops Manual were invaluable.”

“Fantastic Company. Since completing my GVC course with Drone Pilot Academy I've been able to maintain great communication with the course instructor who has been really helpful where we fall short of the knowledge. Would really recommend Drone pilot academy to any one who's looking to get into the industry.”

“I took a GVC course earlier this month. Really knowledgeable, helpful and experienced team. Information for tests is presented in a really efficient way. It was fun to be there. Thank you, Chris”

“I did the A2 COC and GVC corse. Absolutely fantastic experience, our tutors Billy and Richard, were both first class instructors extremely knowledgeable and made you feel at ease giving me what ever support i required, even if that ment repeating and going over the parts of the subject I was not grasping. From my experience I would recommend Drone Pilot Academy to any one, they are just what the industry needs, they are always there for help and support what ever your problem. Once again a big thank you to Billy, Richard and the team.”

“If you're looking to up skill with theory and practical knowledge with Drones, then Drone Pilot Academy are the guys. James, Chris and Bill are knowledgeable, friendly and teach at a pace which suits all.”

“Having just completed the A2 and GVC 3 day course in a very sunny Motherwell. I would have no hesitation at all in recommending this very well structured and taught course. There is a lot to learn in a short space of time but thanks to the patients and clear teaching style of our instructor Jim Ixer I not only passed but have confidence that I can fly my drone safely and to follow all the regulations!”

“Purchased DJI mini 4 pro and signed up for intro flying course from this company. During the course, Jim set up all aspects of the drone for me, explained the operations, rules, regulations and functions of the drone before the flying lesson. Fantastic service, really knowledgeable, friendly and helpful staff. The location for the course was fantastic too. I would recommend Drone pilot academy to everyone either new starters or experienced. Would have given more than 5 stars if possible. Can’t thank Jim and his team enough.”

“Excellent experience with DPA at Milton Keynes earlier this year. The instructors (Chris) and examiners (James) were both excellent, supportive and clear communicators. The venue at Cranfield was great and the post course support to get the Operational Authority issued with the CAA has been beyond what I was expecting. I really felt like the DPA team was there to help me get all requirements satisfied and 3 months on I am feeling confident that I can go and set up a job to get some filming done. Highly recommend and hopefully will be sending some colleagues soon.”

“As someone with no previous drone experience this course (A2COC and GVC) was very welcoming and interesting throughout. Our groups instructor, Chris, taught the material thoroughly so it was fun and easy to learn for everyone. I would recommend this company to anyone who is interested in drones out there.”

“Fantastic course with very experienced instructors. Highly recommended.”

“Very good experience with the Drone Pilot Academy. As someone who had never operated a drone before, I was a bit apprehensive about piloting. However, the quality and experience of the instructors, especially Chris, were crucial in teaching the basics of flying a drone safely, which greatly boosted my confidence. The entire course was well organized and of high quality, showing great attention to the students. Jim and the team deserve congratulations for this.”

“Chris Wright the Head of Training is extremely knowledgeable and fluid in his teaching. He has the answer to every possible question and helped everyone pass the exams first time. Highly recommend.”

“Very easy comms with Jim to organise the DJI mini 4 drone training. He sent through a lot of info about what IDs and Apps are needed or recommended. Great place for the training, we had a great time and are much better prepared and confident as a result. No showing off with the drones, just a straightforward professional person. 5/5 đź‘Ť”

“Myself and two colleagues attended the 3 day GVC training course to obtain our GVCs in 2023. All accommodation, food etc. was all included in the price which made for a very enjoyable experience. Chris and Richie are very knowledgeable, helpful and approachable. There were full days of teaching the required theory and practical flights, however on the last day we had adverse weather so couldn't complete the FA. A year went by and we still hadn't due to various work commitments etc.. but they were very understanding and accommodating of us and over a year later were happy to support, meet and ultimately guide us through in obtaining our GVCs. I can't rate these guys highly enough and would not hesitate in recommending them for any drone training you would want to undertake.”

“Highly Recommend! Top-Notch Training! I recently completed the residential A2CofC and GVC course with Drone Pilot Academy, and I can't recommend them enough! Pros: Immersive Learning: The residential format provided a focused learning environment, allowing me to fully grasp the course material. Expert Instruction: Chris our instructor was ex-RAF with a wealth of knowledge. His revision exercises in the classroom were invaluable for exam preparation. Convenient Exams: Taking both exams in the classroom after the course was a huge plus. It eliminated any time lag and was good to crack on an get the exams completed. Flight Assessment: There was plenty of time included for practical flight training and practice. I had my FA on the same day of the exams but there is no pressure to do that, it was convenient for me and I had enough flying hours to progress. Streamlined Process: Drone Pilot Academy took care of everything, making the entire experience smooth and hassle-free. Overall: This residential course was the perfect choice for me. It offered intensive training, expert guidance, and a convenient exam process. If you're looking to get your A2CofC and GVC in a supportive and immersive environment, Drone Pilot Academy is the way to go!”

“Thoroughly enjoyed the course, very professional, the instructor’s knowledge in this industry is second to none. Highly recommend”

“I found this course disappointing. Despite being in a group with six others from a different company, I received less flight time compared to them. The course structure felt disorganised, and the instructor appeared frustrated as I struggled to grasp the material.”

“From taking on their courses and their additional advice and support given in regards to setting up afterwards has all been very thorough and helpful. Such a great and professional team to know as they never fail in steering you in the right direction with whatever it may be you seek within the drone industry!”

“Totally recommend! Thanks Chris. Very patient and takes time to explain ! ( yes Totally recommend for that matter, I have already sent a friend of mine your way. He will contact you soon.)”

“From Mike Ghent. A joy to be trained by professionals. With a real passion for the subject matter and the skills to impart knowledge and confidence. A great training experience with continuous assistance and support through the course, assessment, and beyond. Many thanks”

“I need a GVC qualification to work on the UK's Polar research vessel in the Antarctic and Arctic. I was a little nervous about the subject matter of the course and my capacity to learn all of the info in just 3 days but Chris at DPA was simply excellent with his course plan and delivery/time management. It was a thoroughly enjoyable course and I would recommend, 10/10 training provider. Additionally if you are staying at the hotel the food/lunch is excellent.”

“Great instructors making a lot of hard info go in. Excellent company.”

“I deliberately chose a face-to-face training course for my GVC; for me there is massive value in having the ability to ask the tutor questions as they arise, and DPA organise things so that you can continue in the bar after the teaching has closed for the day. Hard work for an old man who has forgotten how to concentrate in a classroom, but ultimately successful. Chris Wright is very knowledgeable and experienced, a good teacher most generous with his time . Highly recommended.”

“I wanted to expand my understanding of Drone operations, so I booked a GVC with the Drone Pilot Academy. An excellent three day course, delivered with great instruction (patient and very knowledgeable) at a great venue. Course material was very good and post course support was excellent. If you are considering doing some Drone training then this is place I would recommend.”

“Excellent training and still giving me support and advice over a year after my course, including reviewing Op Manuals . I strongly recommend them!”

“I am really happy with the course and the instructors on the course, learned a lot, and have helped me achieve what I need to go further. Greatly appreciated.”

“Wanted to try a bit of a taster session flying drones and seeing the art of the possible. Jim was excellent, and provided lots of knowledge and guidance, completely made me feel comfortable with my first drone flight. Would highly recommend!”

“It has been a pleasure working with Drone Pilot Academy from the very first day. HVAC Communications was looking to introduce drones into the business and Jim from DPA spent time with us explaining what we would need to operate, demonstrated different drones and set everything up for us. The GVC course was delivered very professionally by Chris over three days with him going above an beyond to answer any questions put forward. The guys are very knowledgeable and their experience and previous RAF careers show through. The post course support has been great. We will definitely continue to use DPA in the future.”

“Completing a PFcO to GVC course in November 2023, with The Drone Pilot Academy, who I had also got my original PFcO drone licence with previously. 1 day course with James Ixer, who has a professional and friendly approach to his courses. I would recommend this company, for those considering getting into the Drone sector, for qualifications and training etc.”

“I attended the PfCO to GVC conversion course with Drone Pilot Academy last week and have to say how professionally it was put together. Jim is extremely knowledgeable and passionate, he gets the lesson across expertly and immediately putting you at ease. This is the second time I have gone to DPA for training and wouldn't consider going anywhere else. I can highly recommend them to anyone who has an interest in Drones. Thanks Jim and all at DPA”

“I was looking for a course to obtain my drone qualification to help with roof surveying and I was recommended to attended the 3 day course for the GVC and A2 CofC. On attendance the course was very educational by providing a full understanding of the requirements for drone flying. The material was easy to follow and any questions we had were promptly answered. There was a test on the third day which the whole class had passed. After the test we attended a field near by to practice flying a drone. After the class, the service was still present with help organising the flight test and the paperwork required to submit to the CAA. I would highly recommend attending a course via the Drone Pilot Academy if you require a qualification or are a beginner to drone flying. I will definitely be attending the infrared foundation course in the near future.”

“I have recently completed Drone Pilot Academy's A2 CofC and GVC courses along with several colleagues. A special shout out to Richie for sharing his experience, knowledge and skills, ensuring you're well-prepared for your journey into the skies. From understanding airspace regulations to mastering flight maneuvers, it's a fantastic experience. They've incorporated all the right elements for success. Highly recommend for all aspiring drone pilots!”

“I recently attended the GVC drone pilot course with Drone Pilot Academy. Thoroughly enjoyed the three day course. My instructor was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the subject, would defiantly recommend to anyone who has interests in drones, whether commercially or just for fun.”

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