Specific Category Drone Operations

The Specific Category is designed for drone operations which carry a greater level of risk than those permitted in the Open Category.

It enables operators to conduct more complex drone missions, including flights with larger aircraft, operations in built-up areas, and missions which require permissions beyond those available in the Open Category.

Generally speaking, the Specific Category is the next step for drone operators who need greater operational flexibility.

Pilots can conduct recreational or commercial applications within the Specific Category.

Pilots require an Operational Authorisation from the CAA to fly in the Specific Category.

The Operational Authorisation sets out the conditions and limitations under which an operator can conduct its flights, including the competency requirements for its remote pilots.

There are two main routes to obtaining an Operational Authorisation:

• PDRA01: A Pre-defined Risk Assessment covering a defined range of Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) operations.

• UK SORA: The UK Specific Operations Risk Assessment, which provides a risk-based route to authorisation for operations outside the scope of PDRA01.

For many VLOS operations under PDRA01, this can currently be achieved through either the established General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC) or the newer Level 1 Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC-L1).

The GVC remains relevant for pilots focused on VLOS operations under PDRA01 - but is being phased out - while RPC-L1 provides an entry point into the CAA's wider Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) framework, with opportunities to progress towards qualifications for more complex operations, including BVLOS.

Both courses can be completed with heliguy™.

The General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC) remains a recognised qualification for VLOS operations in the Specific Category, particularly for pilots operating under a PDRA01 Operational Authorisation who do not need to progress through the wider Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) framework.

The GVC is now in a transitional period, with new certificates available until 31 December 2027. Existing GVCs - valid for five years - will be accepted until their expiry date, where specified by the relevant Operational Authorisation.

The GVC consists of:

• Theory learning followed by an exam with 40 multiple-choice questions - covering topics such as air law, operating principles and responsibilities, and airmanship.

• Practical flying test - covering pre-flight actions, in-flight procedures, and post-flight actions.

• Creation of an Operations Manual. This contains information such as insurance, pilot responsibilities, flight operation details, and drone description, among other things.

The Level 1 Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC-L1) is the entry point into the Remote Pilot Certificate framework.

RPC-L1 Part A covers VLOS operations and is broadly similar to the GVC.

However, RPC-L1 introduces a more structured, competency-based approach to practical training and assessment. It is also designed to provide the foundation for progression through the wider RPC framework.

This makes RPC-L1 particularly relevant for pilots and organisations that want to develop their capabilities beyond conventional VLOS operations and potentially progress towards RPC-L2, RPC-L3 and more complex BVLOS operations.

The heliguy™ RPC-L1 course consists of:

• Theory learning followed by an exam with 40 multiple-choice questions. The theory aspect covers topics such as air law, aircraft general knowledge, human performance limitations, meteorology, and operating procedures.

• Practical flying: Spend 2½ days at heliguy™ HQ developing your flying skills. This is followed by a practical flight assessment. Closed courses are also available.

heliguy™ also offers a GVC to RPC-L1 Conversion course for operators with a valid GVC. No theory exam is required, and includes 1 day of training/practical assessment with heliguy™.

This table shows the differences between the GVC to RPC-L1.

The UK CAA's Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) framework provides a structured qualification pathway for remote pilots operating in the Specific Category.

The framework introduces different levels of competency aligned with increasingly complex operations, providing pilots with a pathway to develop their skills as their operational requirements evolve.

The framework includes:

• RPC-L1: The foundation of the RPC framework. Part A covers VLOS operations, while Part B covers BVLOS operations using Visual Mitigations.

• RPC-L2: Covers VLOS and BVLOS operations in ARC-a, where other air traffic is not expected.

• RPC-L3: Covers VLOS and more complex BVLOS operations up to ARC-c.

The qualification required will depend on the proposed operation and the competency requirements specified within the operator's Operational Authorisation. For pilots who want to follow the new RPC framework, RPC-L1 provides the starting point, creating a pathway towards RPC-L2 and RPC-L3 as operational requirements become more complex.

The PDRA01 - or Pre-defined Risk Assessment - is the most common type of Operational Authorisation for the Specific Category.

It provides a predefined set of conditions for operations which meet the scope of PDRA01, avoiding the need for the operator to develop a full operation-specific risk assessment.

Currently, operators with a GVC or a RPC-L1 can apply for a PDRA01 Operational Authorisation.

A PDRA01 from the UK CAA costs £524 per year - with no VAT to pay - and must be renewed annually.

What Does The PDRA01 Allow?

Key stipulations of the PDRA01 include:

• Fly drones between 250g and 25kg within 150m of residential, commercial, industrial, and recreational areas.

• Fly within visual line of sight (VLOS) and stay within 120 metres (400ft) from the earth's surface.

• Obstacles taller than 105m can be overflown by 15m, as long as the person in charge of the obstacle has requested this, and the drone must not be flown more than 50m horizontally from the obstruction.

• Flights must not be closer than 50m of uninvolved people. This separation distance can be reduced to 30m during take-off and landing.

  

  

• Keep overflights of uninvolved people to a minimum. Overflight of crowds of people is not permitted.

• Operate 24 hours a day, but night operations must be conducted according to the Operations Manual.

• No flights within flight restriction zones (FRZ) of airports.

• No dropping of articles and no carrying of dangerous goods.

Not every Specific Category operation can be conducted under PDRA01.

For more complex operations, operators can seek an Operational Authorisation using UK SORA (Specific Operations Risk Assessment).

UK SORA provides a structured, risk-based methodology for assessing an operation and identifying the mitigations and requirements needed to conduct it safely.

heliguy™ has an in-house UK SORA consultancy to help applicants through the process.

Typical operations that require a UK SORA-based Operational Authorisation include:

• Dropping items from your drone.

• Flying beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS).

• Flying close to crowds.

• Flying close to people with an aircraft that weighs 500g or more.

• Flying at increased heights above ground level.

• Swarm operations.

• Flying more than 120m (400ft) above ground level

The Remote Pilot Certificate framework becomes increasingly relevant as the complexity of an operation increases.

RPC-L1 provides the foundation of this framework, while RPC-L2 and RPC-L3 introduce competency requirements for increasingly complex operations, including different types of BVLOS flight.

For operators with a current valid OSC-based Operational Authorisation, it will remain valid until its expiry date. In most cases, once this expires, operators will need to make a new application under the UK SORA-based Application Service.

From pilot competency to complex Operational Authorisations, heliguy™ can support your journey through the Specific Category.

• CAA-approved training: Learn with a UK CAA-approved RAE, with 10 full-time instructors and more than 9,000+ candidates trained.

• Flexible training options: Access online, on-demand learning and remote exams, plus dedicated closed courses for organisations training multiple pilots.

• GVC and RPC training: Build the competencies you need for VLOS operations or progress through the Remote Pilot Certificate framework.

• UK SORA consultancy: Work with our in-house regulatory specialists to prepare and submit applications for more complex operations.

• Proven regulatory expertise: Our team has supported advanced permissions covering BVLOS, EVLOS, operations up to 1,000ft and heavy-lift missions, including DJI Dock and FlyCart operations. The team has also secured UK SORA SAIL II permissions to conduct remote BVLOS DJI Dock operations for Network Rail at two live sites.

If you fly a drone or model aircraft for recreation, sport, or as a hobby, you can choose whether or not to have insurance.

If you fly for any other reason, you must have third-party insurance.

For example, you must have insurance if you:

• get paid to take pictures or record video;

• get paid to carry out surveys;

• provide delivery services;

• use your drone for work, such as on a farm, park, or estate;

• use a drone in an educational setting, such as a school, college, or university.

UAS Operators are responsible for ensuring they have appropriate insurance. This is a condition of every Operational Authorisation issued by the CAA.