Every Specific Category Operational Authorisation sets out the level of remote pilot competency required to fly under that authorisation.
The competency requirements will specify a minimum remote pilot certificate. Depending on the nature of the operations, the authorisation may also specify further remote pilot competency requirements too. For example, a certain number of flying hours.
Remote Pilots must meet the specified competency requirements whenever flying under the authorisation.
What the certificates are designed to provide
Remote Pilot Competence certificates are designed to equip you with a standard level of task performance, knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
The certificates do not cover all operational scenarios on all types of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Operators must ensure that remote pilots have the appropriate operational and UAS-specific training as well as the appropriate certificate.
Type of aircraft
You can choose whether to take each certificate as either an aeroplane or rotorcraft option. For the GVC, the options are fixed wing or multirotor.
Training and assessment providers
You must complete your training with a CAA-approved training and assessment provider. We call these Recognised Assessment Centres for Pilot Competence (RAE-PCs).
We provide a list of RAEs.
Overview of certificates
There are five qualifications for the Specific Category:
- General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC)
- Level 1 Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC-L1)
- Level 2 Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC-L2)
- Level 3 Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC-L3)
- Level 4 Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC-L4)
The Level 2 RPC certificate is designed for Remote Pilots who will be operating BVLOS in environments where there is no other traffic operating, for example, within an AAE. This is defined in UK SORA as ARC-a.
The Level 3 and 4 RPC certificates are much more advanced qualifications, and are designed for Remote Pilots operating in more complex environments, including those which are integrated with other traffic, and where the UA will be expected to operate within usual rules of the air. We expect the Level 4 qualification to develop after the launch of UK SORA.
The following sections provide a high-level overview of each certificate.
For full details, including the learning objectives and syllabus for each certificate, see the Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC) for Remote Pilot Competence (opens in a new tab)
General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC)
For full details see the AMC for General VLOS Certificate (GVC) (opens in a new tab)
Minimum age
- None
UA category options
- Fixed wing
- Multirotor
Type of operations
- VLOS
Entry conditions
- Flyer ID
Period of validity
- Five years
Level 1 Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC-L1)
For full details see the AMC for Level 1 Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC-L1) (opens in a new tab)
Minimum age
- No minimum age
UA category options
- Rotorcraft (R)
- Aeroplane (A)
Type of operations
- VLOS only
Entry conditions
- Flyer ID
(If you hold a valid GVC, you do not need to pass the RPC-L1 theory test.)
Period of validity
- Five years
GVC and RPC-L1: The GVC and RPC-L1 are broadly similar in the level of competency needed to attain them.
Level 2 Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC-L2)
For full details see the AMC for Level 2 Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC-L2) (opens in a new tab)
Minimum age
- 18
UA category options
- Rotorcraft (R)
- Aeroplane (A)
Type of operations
- VLOS
- BVLOS Operations in ARC-a, i.e. where there is no other air traffic expected.
Entry conditions
- Flyer ID
- RPC-L1 certificate for the same category of UA
- Minimum 50 logged flight hours in the Specific Category using a UA of the same category
Period of validity
- Three years
Level 3 Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC-L3)
For full details see the AMC for Level 3 Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC-L3) (opens in a new tab)
Minimum age
- 18
UA category options
- Rotorcraft (R)
- Aeroplane (A)
Type of operations
- VLOS
- BVLOS operations up to ARC-c
Entry conditions
- Flyer ID
- RPC-L2 certificate
- Minimum 50 logged BVLOS flight hours in the Specific Category using a UA of the same category
- Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL) medical certificate
Period of validity
- Three years
Level 4 Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC-L4)
For full details see the AMC for Level 4 Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC-L4) (opens in a new tab)
Minimum age
- 18
UA category options
- Rotorcraft (R)
- Aeroplane (A)
Type of operations
- VLOS
- BVLOS operations in any ARC
Entry conditions
- Flyer ID
- RPC-L3 certificate
- Minimum 75 logged BVLOS flight hours in the Specific Category using a UA of the same category
- Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL) medical certificate
Period of validity
- One year