Start A Drone Business

Heliguy provides dedicated training to help you start your drone business or add the technology to your existing workflows. Grow your pilot capabilities to the highest standard through the heliguy™ Learning Management System - a robust and interactive online training experience.

Benefit from continued support from our full-time instructors and regulatory specialists, who have trained 9,000+ candidates, and access our wider support infrastructure, including consultancy, repairs, and supply - including rental.

Training begins with the CAA-approved A2 CofC, GVC, or RPC-L1 courses, delivered by our instructors who have trained drone teams from the likes of Network Rail, National Grid, Sellafield Sites, and Phillips 66.

A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC)

The A2 CofC is the foundational course prescribed by the UK CAA.

As a business, the A2 CofC endorses your understanding of flight planning, airspace considerations, and safety. This provides you with a base level of pilot competency that will resonate with your clients and industry stakeholders.

The A2 CofC enables drone operators to fly closer to people, using UK2 or C2 class-marked drones weighing under 4kg, or non-class-marked drones weighing 250g-2kg.

Obtain your A2 CofC by completing theory learning, a multiple-choice exam, and self-guided flight training.

View A2 CofC course here.

Remote Pilot Certificate Level 1 (RPC-L1)

The RPC-L1 is the UK's new competency-based qualification for VLOS operations in the Specific Category. It is replacing the GVC as the recognised route for VLOS missions in the Specific Category, providing a future-proof drone-training option.

It is also the foundation for the wider Remote Pilot Certificate framework, including RPC-L2 and RPC-L3 for more complex operations, such as BVLOS.

This, and the GVC, are more advanced drone training qualifications than the A2 CofC, demonstrating expanded pilot competency and proficiency.

Completing the RPC-L1 enables you to apply to the UK CAA for an Operational Authorisation to operate in the Specific Category - unlocking extended operational privileges with larger aircraft.

Heliguy delivers RPC-L1 as a blended course: complete flexible online theory learning through our Learning Management System, then attend 2.5 days of practical training and assessment at Heliguy.

View the RPC-L1 Course here.

General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC)

The GVC remains a valid, five-year qualification for VLOS operations in the Specific Category, and can be a more cost-effective route for businesses that only plan to fly VLOS.

It is being phased out, though: the UK CAA will stop issuing new GVCs after December 2027, and the GVC can't lead into RPC-L2 and beyond.

Completing the GVC enables you to apply to the UK CAA for an Operational Authorisation to operate in the Specific Category - unlocking extended operational privileges with aircraft weighing between 2kg and 25kg.

Obtaining a GVC is a multi-step process: theory learning and multiple choice exam, in-person Practical Flight Assessment, and the creation of an Operations Manual.

Complete your bespoke flight assessment - tailored to your commercial operation - at one of our UK venues, and utilise our streamlined Operations Manual creation service.

View GVC Course here.

Complete your A2 CofC, GVC, or RPC-L1 theory learning and exam through the heliguy™ Learning Management System - a comprehensive online drone training platform and industry resource hub.

heliguy™ LMS offers a guided learning process - taking the benefits of our traditional classroom-based Ground School courses and transforming them into a digestible digital format.

Benefits include:

• Learn at your own pace through on-demand content.

• Develop your piloting knowledge with interactive and engaging course material, developed and presented by our in-house training team.

• Speak to our team of instructors via live chat throughout your theory learning.

• Sit your exam remotely, via webcam, with flexible booking slots available.

• The LMS is a hub for drone-related resources and updates, providing added-value learning for continued industry development.

Looking to start a drone surveying business? Alongside your CAA-approved qualification, invest in Heliguy’s drone surveying course to strengthen your skills.

Our training, led by Heliguy's in-house Survey experts, focuses on photogrammetry and LiDAR workflows using DJI drones.

Learn best practices for aerial mapping to improve ROI, enhance site safety, and choose the right drones for your business needs.

Courses are delivered at a location of your choice and cover:

• Mission planning and data capture techniques

• GNSS, NTRIP, base stations, rovers, and GCPs

• Data processing, cleaning, analysis, and outputs

• Data processing, cleaning, and analysis, and data outputs.