1. UAVHub Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
  2. The GVC (General Visual Line of Sight Certificate)

What is the difference between a PfCO Course and a GVC drone course?

The PfCO is a legacy permission that is no longer available replaced by an Operational Authorisation with a GVC.

The CAA will no longer issue the Permission for Commercial Operation (PfCO), they only issue an Operational Authorisation if you have done a General VLOS Certificate Drone Course (GVC).

If you have done a GVC drone course you will be granted an Operational Authorisation.

 

If you wish to book onto a GVC Drone Course click here.

 

What happens if I already hold a PfCO / Standard Permissions?

Nobody now has a PfCO, there is only the Operational Authorisation.

If you held a PfCO previosuly and continuted to renew it you would now be operating under an Operational Authorisation. 

Don't forget you can renew your Operational Authorisation up to 90 days before the expiry date, so be sure to put this into your diary and get it renewed early!

If you only hold an NQE Recommendation Certificate and let your Operational Authorisation expire, you will no longer be able to apply for a new Operational Authorisation. You will be required to do a new GVC Drone Course 

You'll need to make sure that your Operations Manual is kept up-to-date. If you'd like help with making sure that your Drone Operations Manual is always up-to-date, why not subscribe to the HUBSUB? The HUBSUB is our monthly subscription for keeping your Operations Manual always up-to-date and takes the hassle of updates out of your hands so you can focus on your drone operations. 

Click here to find out more about the HUBSUB.

If you wish to convert an NQE Recommendation over to a GVC qualification we have a PFCO (NQE) to GVC Conversion course.