GVC Requirements: Who Can Apply in the UK

What the GVC actually requires

The General VLOS Certificate (GVC) is awarded once you have satisfactorily completed all the elements of a course delivered by a Recognised Assessment Entity (RAE) approved by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). There is no shortcut: the qualification is competency-based, so you earn it by demonstrating knowledge and skill.

The four core requirements

Every GVC requires you to complete:

1. Theory training covering the syllabus — air law, airspace, meteorology, human performance and operating procedures.
2. A theory examination that you must pass to demonstrate understanding.
3. A practical flight assessment where you show you can operate the aircraft safely.
4. An Operations Manual that you write to describe how you will conduct operations safely. This forms the basis of your later safety case.

Eligibility considerations

The GVC is open to those intending to operate in the Specific Category. There are practical considerations rather than complex barriers:

• You should be ready to study the theory and sit an examination.
• You will need access to a suitable aircraft for the practical assessment, depending on your provider's arrangements.
• You must be prepared to produce an Operations Manual.

Age and other administrative requirements are set out in CAA guidance; confirm the current position with your RAE before enrolling.

Do you need a GVC at all?

Not every operator needs a GVC. If your flying fits within the Open Category limits, you may only need to register as an operator and, where relevant, hold an A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC). The GVC is specifically for the Specific Category — operations that fall outside the Open Category and require an Operational Authorisation from the CAA.

The GVC is a prerequisite, not a permission

A key requirement to understand is what the GVC does and does not do. Completing the GVC does not by itself authorise Specific Category flights. You use the GVC and your Operations Manual to apply to the CAA for an Operational Authorisation. Many operators apply under PDRA01, a Pre-Defined Risk Assessment that streamlines the process.

After you qualify

Once you hold a GVC, the next steps are:

1. Apply to the CAA for an Operational Authorisation.
2. Operate within the limits of that authorisation.
3. Keep your GVC current by renewing before its validity period ends.

Costs and timescales for meeting these requirements vary between RAEs and are noted as of May 2026. Confirm the current requirements directly with your provider and against the latest CAA publications.

Costs and timescales are noted as of May 2026 and vary between Recognised Assessment Entities. Confirm figures directly with the provider you choose.