What drone training do I need to fly the DJI Avata or Avata 2 in the UK?

To fly the DJI Avata you need complete the Drone and Model Aircraft Registration and Education Service. If you want to fly closer to people you need to complete the A2 CofC Drone Course or hold an Operational Authorisation by completing a GVC course

There are a number of things to be aware of depending on what training you currently hold and how you wish to fly. To get the most out of the DJI Avata (or Avata 2) we highly recommend the A2 Certificate of Competency.

(Transitional Period until 31st December 2025)

Where Can I Fly?

A3 Subcategory of the Open Category

First, you will need to be registered under the Drone and Model Aircraft Registration and Education Service. This means you will need to sit the online test on the CAA’s website.

You can then fly with no uninvolved people present within the area of flight; No flight within 150m horizontally of residential, commercial, industrial or recreational areas.

A1 Transitional Provision

Complete an A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC)  and fly 'closer to people with no intentional flight over uninvolved persons. There is no limitation on proximity to buildings, only people. 

You will first need to have completed the Drone and Model Aircraft Registration and Education Service.

What Happens If I Have an Operational Authorisation?

Holders of an Operational Authorisation can operate the aircraft under the terms of their granted PDRA-01.

From 31st December 2025 (End of Transitional Period)

After the 31st December 2025, the A1 Transitional provisions end and you may only be able to fly the DJI Avata within the A3 Subcategory or with a valid Operational Authorisation. Updated information may be released nearer to the time so we'll update the article as soon as we have the updated guidance from the CAA

First Person View Flying (FPV)

The CAA drone regulations stipulate that a remote pilot must always keep the drone within their unaided visual line of sight. FPV may be used however a spotter must be used to assist the remote pilot. The law (UAS Implementing Regulation- UAS.OPEN.060) states:

‘The remote pilot may be assisted by a UA observer helping them to keep the unmanned aircraft away from other aircraft and obstacles.
‘The UA observer must be situated alongside the remote pilot and observers must not use aided vision (e.g. binoculars).
‘UA observers may also be used when the remote pilot conducts drone operations in first-person view (FPV), which is a method used to control the UA with the aid of a visual system connected to the camera of the UA. In all cases, the remote pilot is still responsible for the safety of the flight.’

Images captured by a camera and displayed on a flat screen give the pilot little by way of depth perception and no peripheral vision. This can make it difficult for the pilot to accurately judge speed and distance and to maintain sufficient awareness of the area surrounding the drone to effectively see and avoid obstacles and other aircraft. As a result, the use of FPV equipment is not an acceptable mitigation for Beyond Visual Line of Sight flight unless the relevant operator has received a specific authorisation to do so from the CAA.