GVC vs A2 CofC: Key Differences for UK Drone Pilots

Two qualifications come up repeatedly when UK drone pilots look to go beyond basic flying: the General VLOS Certificate (GVC) and the A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC). They are often confused, but they serve different purposes and unlock different kinds of operation. This guide sets out the key differences so you can decide which one — if either — you need.

The categories they belong to

UK drone operations are split into three categories: Open, Specific and Certified. The A2 CofC sits within the upper end of the Open Category. The GVC, by contrast, is the qualification that opens the Specific Category. This single fact explains most of the differences between them.

The A2 CofC in brief

The A2 CofC is an Open Category qualification. It allows you to fly certain drones closer to uninvolved people than you otherwise could in the Open Category, within the A2 subcategory rules. Importantly, operating with an A2 CofC does not require an Operational Authorisation from the CAA — you fly within fixed, pre-defined Open Category limits.

Earning the A2 CofC is comparatively straightforward: it typically involves theory study and a theory exam, plus a self-declared practical training element. There is no full flight assessment or Operations Manual in the way the GVC requires.

The GVC in brief

The GVC is more involved because it opens up far broader operations. It requires theory training, a theory exam, a practical flight assessment and an Operations Manual accepted by your RAE. Holding the GVC then lets you apply to the CAA for an Operational Authorisation, most commonly against the Pre-Defined Risk Assessment PDRA01, which permits a wide range of Specific Category operations.

Side-by-side differences

• Category — A2 CofC: upper Open Category. GVC: Specific Category.
• Authorisation needed? — A2 CofC: no. GVC: yes, you must obtain a CAA Operational Authorisation.
• Components — A2 CofC: theory study and exam, with self-practical training. GVC: training, exam, flight assessment and Operations Manual.
• Operations — A2 CofC: fly closer to people with certain drones under fixed limits. GVC: much wider operations defined by your authorisation.
• Effort and cost — A2 CofC: lower. GVC: higher.

Which do you need?

The right choice depends entirely on what you want to do:

• If you want modest flexibility to fly nearer to people with a suitable drone, and your operations fit Open Category limits, the A2 CofC may be all you need.
• If you want to undertake operations that exceed Open Category limits — closer to people, heavier aircraft, more complex environments or many commercial tasks — you will need the GVC and an Operational Authorisation.

Can you hold both?

Yes. Some pilots hold the A2 CofC for simpler jobs and the GVC for more demanding work. They are not mutually exclusive, and each gives you a distinct set of operating options.

The bottom line

Think of the A2 CofC as a step up within the Open Category — simpler, with no authorisation required. Think of the GVC as the gateway to the Specific Category — broader, more demanding, and requiring a CAA Operational Authorisation before you fly. Choose according to the operations you genuinely intend to carry out.