MmowW

Clearing up a common misconception

There is no single commercial drone licence in the UK. What matters is not whether you are paid, but the risk of the operation you carry out. Some commercial work fits within the Open category and needs no special certificate; other work requires the General VLOS Certificate (GVC) and an operational authorisation from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This guide explains how to plan training for commercial flying, without recommending any provider.

Open category vs Specific category for commercial work

Open category

If your commercial flights stay within the Open category limits — keeping the required distances from people, flying within visual line of sight and below 120 metres — you may be able to operate without a GVC. The A2 CofC can extend what you can do in this category with certain drones.

Specific category

Many commercial operations are higher risk: flying closer to people or structures, in built-up areas, or in ways the Open category does not allow. These fall into the Specific category and generally require a GVC followed by a CAA operational authorisation.

Qualifications relevant to commercial pilots

• A2 CofC: Useful for some commercial work involving heavier legacy drones flown closer to people, within the Open category.
• GVC: The main qualification for the Specific category, covering advanced theory, a practical assessment and an operations manual.

Both are assessed by Recognised Assessment Entities (RAEs) recognised by the CAA.

What commercial-focused courses cover

Beyond the core flying theory, courses aimed at commercial pilots often address the practical realities of running operations:

• Building robust risk assessments for client sites
• Producing and maintaining an operations manual
• Understanding the CAA authorisation process
• Planning operations around airspace and permissions
• Record-keeping and ongoing compliance

Beyond training: what commercial operations require

Training is only one part of operating commercially. You will also need:

• Operator registration: An operator ID from the CAA.
• Insurance: Appropriate insurance is generally required for commercial work.
• Operational authorisation: For Specific category flights, granted by the CAA.
• Good records: Flight logs, maintenance and risk assessments.

Planning your route

A practical approach is to define the operations you want to offer, check whether they fall within the Open or Specific category, and then choose the qualification and authorisation that match. Avoid paying for more than you need, but make sure you are properly qualified for the work you actually intend to do.

A note on costs

GVC courses generally cost more than the A2 CofC because of the practical assessment and operations manual support; as of May 2026 the figures vary by provider. Budget also for insurance, the CAA authorisation fee and any equipment you need.

Choosing commercial training is a business decision. Match the qualification to your intended operations and ensure your provider is a CAA-recognised RAE.