Drone Assisted
Commercial drone flying over UK countryside at sunset
Training guide 5 min readUpdated July 2026

A2 CofC vs GVC

Which UK drone qualification do you actually need?

Both sit within UK CAA rules. Both are recognised by insurers and clients. They unlock very different jobs. Here is the short version, followed by the detail.

Entry level

A2 CofC

Fly closer to uninvolved people in the Open category with a suitably classified sub 2 kg drone. Good for property, marketing and small commercial work.

1 day£200 to £400Open category

Recommended for pros

GVC

The training step toward an Operational Authorisation in the Specific category. Required for most inspection, survey, thermal and industrial work.

2 to 5 days£600 to £1,000Specific category

Side by side

The differences that actually shape which jobs you can accept.

Rule
A2 CofC
GVC
Category
Open (A2 subcategory)
Specific (via Operational Authorisation)
Distance from uninvolved people
30 m, or 5 m in low speed mode with C2 drone
Defined by your operating safety case, often 50 m
Max altitude
120 m
400 ft AGL under PDRA01
Typical work
Property, marketing, event coverage
Inspection, survey, thermal, insurance, congested area
Assessment
Online theory + exam
Theory + practical flight + Operations Manual
Typical cost
£200 to £400
£600 to £1,000 (plus CAA fees)

A2 Certificate of Competency

Sits inside the Open A2 subcategory. With an A2 CofC and an eligible C2 class marked drone you can fly as close as 30 metres from uninvolved people, or 5 metres in low speed mode, provided you stay under 120 metres and inside visual line of sight. Suits generalist commercial pilots doing exterior property, marketing and event coverage where you are not overflying crowds.

General Visual Line of Sight Certificate

The GVC is the training you complete before applying for an Operational Authorisation from the CAA. That authorisation is what actually lets you operate in the Specific category, typically using a PDRA01 style operating safety case for congested area work up to 400 feet AGL. This is the setup insurers and larger commercial clients ask to see on file.

Which one first?

If you are still deciding whether commercial drone work is for you, start with the A2 CofC. If you already know you want inspection, survey or insurance linked work, skip straight to the GVC. Doing the A2 CofC first is not a prerequisite.

A2 CofC cost

£200 to £400

One day of online theory plus an exam. Fees vary by provider.

GVC cost

£600 to £1,000

Theory, practical assessment and an Operations Manual. Add CAA authorisation fees and annual renewal.

Who typically needs which?

  • Property and estate agent photography: A2 CofC is usually enough.
  • Wedding and event coverage in open spaces: A2 CofC suits most jobs.
  • Roof, chimney and solar inspections in built up areas: GVC route.
  • Insurance loss adjusting and damage surveys: GVC route.
  • Construction progress and stockpile surveys: GVC route.
  • Thermal, mapping and industrial inspection: GVC route.

Training partners

Discounts on CAA recognised training

Drone Assisted works with UK CAA recognised training providers. Approved pilots on the network get discounted A2 CofC and GVC courses through our partner offers, including COPTRZ. Discount codes are gated behind the pilot portal so partners can track them properly.

See pilot training discountsApply to join the network