FAQ's About Our Drone Training Course
20th of May, 2020
Who is this course for?
Individuals or companies looking to gain their Permission for Commercial Operations (PfCO) and their General Visual line-of-sight Certificate (GVC). The PfCO will allow you to operate commercially until 1st November when the new European regulations come into effect.
I don’t own a drone. Is this a problem?
You don’t need a drone for your ground school, but you will require your own aircraft for your flight assessment. You will need to have at least 2 hours flight time in the preceding 3 months for you CAA application. We recommend a minimum of 4 hours practice prior to your test.
How much does it cost?
Our PfCO/GVC course is £899 +VAT and flight training is charged hourly at £60 +VAT.
Any bespoke courses will be priced on an individual basis.
What qualification will I receive?
The course will comprise of the new GVC syllabus which comes into effect as of 1st November 2020. Up until that point you will receive a full category recommendation for a PfCO. You can operate commercially once you’re in receipt of this and it will transfer across when the new regulations come out.
What do I get for my money?
The PfCO/GVC course costs include a course study manual and a flight assessment handbook as well as access to Consortiq’s comprehensive learning portal for one year. You will get an instructor led course, whether remotely or in a classroom, to take you through all the legislation and an individually invigilated exam. Your flight assessment is included in the cost of the course, but any additional flight training will be charged at £60/ hour +VAT. You will also receive a template for your Operations Manual ready for your application to the CAA. Our classroom led courses are catered with lunch included in the price
What do I need to do to prepare for the course?
We recommend giving yourself plenty of time, about 20 hours, to work through the learning materials before attending the course. We also recommend a minimum of 4 hours flying practice before your flight assessment.
Can the course be conducted at our premises?
For business client’s with a group of students, yes, we can deliver our classroom course at your premises. This is also the case for our remote led courses online.
Is the course industry specific?
No, the PfCO/GVC course is a general course covering the basics for operating in the UK’s airspace. However, we can provide industry specific courses if required. Contact us for more information.
Who runs the course?
The course is run by Blue Giraffe Imaging in partnership with Consortiq UK. The whole experience will delivered from enrolment to exams by instructors from Blue Giraffe Imaging.
What’s involved in the flight training package?
Our flight training package includes hire of our aircraft and one-to-one instruction by Blue Giraffe Imaging pilots. The aircraft is dual control, which means you fly the drone, but our instructor can take control of it at any time. This gives you the peace of mind to concentrate and learn, stress free. We will take you through the manoeuvres required on the flight assessment and give you the skills to complete it first time.
Where are the flight assessments held?
Our flight assessment area is held in Auchenreoch, near Kilsyth, Glasgow. With the epic backdrop of the Campsie Hills you can train and get some nice footage as well.
The area is fairly remote and exposed. It involves a walk from the car parking area of around 500m. So, please wear sturdy footwear and don’t forget to dress for the conditions.