A2 Certificate of Competence Course

“I recently completed the A2 Certificate of Competency (A2CofC) and General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC) course with Drone Pilot Academy Ltd at Cranfield, and I couldn’t be more impressed. The course was incredibly well-structured, blending technical content with real-world application in a way that was easy to grasp and engaging throughout. The instructor was absolutely top-class extremely knowledgeable, approachable, and clearly passionate about drones and aviation safety. Every question was answered with clarity, and practical sessions were delivered with professionalism and attention to detail. Drone Pilot Academy Ltd sets the standard for drone training in the UK. Highly recommended for anyone serious about becoming a competent and certified drone operator.”

“Just completed my A2CofC and GVC with Drone Pilot Academy – top training. Chris was a brilliant instructor, made everything clear and easy to follow. Really supportive throughout the whole process. Highly recommend if you're looking to get qualified!”

“Superb A2CoC and GVC course. Expert tuition, dedicated aftercare, great value for money (especially if you take the full package including accommodation and meals). Thank you very much Drone Pilot Academy for making an intense and stressful experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.”

“A big thank you to Chris from Drone Pilot Academy for a fantastic course! There team is the best in the game. I spent three very informative days with them, passed through the A2CoC and GVC course and couldn’t be happier. The course had the perfect balance between the theory and practical flying which was massively helpful. I then spent an extra day doing the FPV course with Chris which was a lot fun! With this, I can now operate drones in more complex environments, capture stunning aerial visuals, and ensure compliance with the latest industry regulations.”

“Very thorough and detailed training and assessment. Our three day GVC was intense but very interesting and enjoyable. The instructors were fantastic.”

“I took my A2CofC and GVC course with Drones Pilot Academy at the beginning of 2025. The course spanned three days, consisting of classroom-based learning and, when weather permitted, practical drone flying to build up the required two hours of flight time. The third day was dedicated to two multiple-choice exams. Unfortunately, due to poor weather, I couldn’t complete the flight assessment required for the GVC, but this had been anticipated and was easily rescheduled for a later date. The course was well-structured and easy to follow, despite the steep learning curve. The trainer’s extensive knowledge and experience ensured that all questions were answered clearly and comprehensively. Lessons were delivered through PowerPoint presentations, complemented by practical exercises such as aerial and OS map reading, real-world scenarios, and a course workbook. The exams closely aligned with the course content, testing understanding rather than attempting to catch students out. During the initial flight sessions, the trainer provided clear, step-by-step instructions, helping everyone gain confidence in controlling the drone. Key manoeuvres required for the flight assessment were thoroughly practiced, ensuring students were well-prepared. My flight assessment was scheduled about a month after the course, and I passed thanks to the high-quality training provided. I would highly recommend having access to a drone beforehand to practice, particularly in Atti mode, as this helps develop muscle memory and improve flight skills. Overall, Drones Pilot Academy delivered an excellent course that was both enjoyable and informative for students at all levels of drone training. Would highly recommend!”

“Very professional outfit Chris our instructor was absolutely brilliant and delivered the information perfectly. Jim (the owner) was very helpful too. It’s not just the course though… the support from both Jim & Chris after the course has been second to none. Honestly if you’re looking to get your drone course done (I did the GVC) look no further than drone pilot academy. I have since started my own drone service business and business is booming. Thanks again to the DPA team.”

“Just completed GVC course, successfully completed Flight assessment and additional surveying course. Really professional, knowledgeable and helpful people. Excellent standard of training and support. Highly recommend Drone Pilot academy”

“very professional, down to the point, spoon fits to make sure you understand every single point.”

“Top Class tuition and training given by Drone Pilot Academy, I would highly recommend this company for any of your drone requirements. Great people and thank you for your guidance in gaining my GVC.”

“Had a very interesting and informative A2CofC course with Richie. It was well a organised and very professional service.”

“I have had a great experience with Drone Pilot Academy. Jim's knowledge and delivery of the course was great and the continuous support from Jim and the team has been a massive help to me. I would highly recommend using Drone Pilot Academy.”

“Drone Pilot Academy did a fantastic job in helping me pass my ACofC and GVC exam and receive my CAA certification. The course was excellent and I really enjoyed every part of it. It was well organised and executed professionally and I was able to take so much away from the course that will significantly help my commercial operations. Thank you again! Highly recommend!”

“For those of us who learn best visually and in a classroom environment, the course provided Chris from DPA is awesome. Having so much information condensed into 3 days is made easier through the format in the course, with Chris's experience and insights. Would highly recommend anyone looking to get into UAVs, RPAS commercially to attend a course like this vs taking it online.”

“I Booked on to the Combined A2 CoC and GVC course provided by Drone Pilot Academy. I was very satisfied with the quality of the instruction and service. the course took place over 3 days and all requirements were catered for within the course fees. The teaching and Practical flying was covered within the time of the three day course and although this was intensive, it was made enjoyable by the first rate facilities and accommodation on site. on the final day we were able to sit the two exams required and flight assessments. flight assessments are of course weather dependent but the controllable factors were delt with very well. After concluding the teaching and assessment, there are log books operations manual and risk assessments to submit. These had to be done after the course was delivered. the correspondence with the the instructor and training coordinator was fast and professional and they provide all the material they can to get you/your company CAA certified. Overall i was very satisfied with the company and the staff. If I require further professional UAV instruction I would likely use this company.”

“Might be able to fly a drone but can't drive! Cutting up a 44t Truck cos you can't plan in advance to exit. Absolute idiot! People like you cause accidents!”

“Richie and Chris delivered the course with expertise and professionalism. They covered a lot of ground in the three days, and the pre-prepared documents and assistance with the Ops Manual were invaluable.”

“Fantastic Company. Since completing my GVC course with Drone Pilot Academy I've been able to maintain great communication with the course instructor who has been really helpful where we fall short of the knowledge. Would really recommend Drone pilot academy to any one who's looking to get into the industry.”

“I took a GVC course earlier this month. Really knowledgeable, helpful and experienced team. Information for tests is presented in a really efficient way. It was fun to be there. Thank you, Chris”

“I did the A2 COC and GVC corse. Absolutely fantastic experience, our tutors Billy and Richard, were both first class instructors extremely knowledgeable and made you feel at ease giving me what ever support i required, even if that ment repeating and going over the parts of the subject I was not grasping. From my experience I would recommend Drone Pilot Academy to any one, they are just what the industry needs, they are always there for help and support what ever your problem. Once again a big thank you to Billy, Richard and the team.”

“If you're looking to up skill with theory and practical knowledge with Drones, then Drone Pilot Academy are the guys. James, Chris and Bill are knowledgeable, friendly and teach at a pace which suits all.”

“Having just completed the A2 and GVC 3 day course in a very sunny Motherwell. I would have no hesitation at all in recommending this very well structured and taught course. There is a lot to learn in a short space of time but thanks to the patients and clear teaching style of our instructor Jim Ixer I not only passed but have confidence that I can fly my drone safely and to follow all the regulations!”

“Purchased DJI mini 4 pro and signed up for intro flying course from this company. During the course, Jim set up all aspects of the drone for me, explained the operations, rules, regulations and functions of the drone before the flying lesson. Fantastic service, really knowledgeable, friendly and helpful staff. The location for the course was fantastic too. I would recommend Drone pilot academy to everyone either new starters or experienced. Would have given more than 5 stars if possible. Can’t thank Jim and his team enough.”

“Excellent experience with DPA at Milton Keynes earlier this year. The instructors (Chris) and examiners (James) were both excellent, supportive and clear communicators. The venue at Cranfield was great and the post course support to get the Operational Authority issued with the CAA has been beyond what I was expecting. I really felt like the DPA team was there to help me get all requirements satisfied and 3 months on I am feeling confident that I can go and set up a job to get some filming done. Highly recommend and hopefully will be sending some colleagues soon.”

“As someone with no previous drone experience this course (A2COC and GVC) was very welcoming and interesting throughout. Our groups instructor, Chris, taught the material thoroughly so it was fun and easy to learn for everyone. I would recommend this company to anyone who is interested in drones out there.”

“Fantastic course with very experienced instructors. Highly recommended.”

“Very good experience with the Drone Pilot Academy. As someone who had never operated a drone before, I was a bit apprehensive about piloting. However, the quality and experience of the instructors, especially Chris, were crucial in teaching the basics of flying a drone safely, which greatly boosted my confidence. The entire course was well organized and of high quality, showing great attention to the students. Jim and the team deserve congratulations for this.”

“Chris Wright the Head of Training is extremely knowledgeable and fluid in his teaching. He has the answer to every possible question and helped everyone pass the exams first time. Highly recommend.”

“Very easy comms with Jim to organise the DJI mini 4 drone training. He sent through a lot of info about what IDs and Apps are needed or recommended. Great place for the training, we had a great time and are much better prepared and confident as a result. No showing off with the drones, just a straightforward professional person. 5/5 👍”

“Myself and two colleagues attended the 3 day GVC training course to obtain our GVCs in 2023. All accommodation, food etc. was all included in the price which made for a very enjoyable experience. Chris and Richie are very knowledgeable, helpful and approachable. There were full days of teaching the required theory and practical flights, however on the last day we had adverse weather so couldn't complete the FA. A year went by and we still hadn't due to various work commitments etc.. but they were very understanding and accommodating of us and over a year later were happy to support, meet and ultimately guide us through in obtaining our GVCs. I can't rate these guys highly enough and would not hesitate in recommending them for any drone training you would want to undertake.”

“Highly Recommend! Top-Notch Training! I recently completed the residential A2CofC and GVC course with Drone Pilot Academy, and I can't recommend them enough! Pros: Immersive Learning: The residential format provided a focused learning environment, allowing me to fully grasp the course material. Expert Instruction: Chris our instructor was ex-RAF with a wealth of knowledge. His revision exercises in the classroom were invaluable for exam preparation. Convenient Exams: Taking both exams in the classroom after the course was a huge plus. It eliminated any time lag and was good to crack on an get the exams completed. Flight Assessment: There was plenty of time included for practical flight training and practice. I had my FA on the same day of the exams but there is no pressure to do that, it was convenient for me and I had enough flying hours to progress. Streamlined Process: Drone Pilot Academy took care of everything, making the entire experience smooth and hassle-free. Overall: This residential course was the perfect choice for me. It offered intensive training, expert guidance, and a convenient exam process. If you're looking to get your A2CofC and GVC in a supportive and immersive environment, Drone Pilot Academy is the way to go!”

“Thoroughly enjoyed the course, very professional, the instructor’s knowledge in this industry is second to none. Highly recommend”

“I found this course disappointing. Despite being in a group with six others from a different company, I received less flight time compared to them. The course structure felt disorganised, and the instructor appeared frustrated as I struggled to grasp the material.”

“From taking on their courses and their additional advice and support given in regards to setting up afterwards has all been very thorough and helpful. Such a great and professional team to know as they never fail in steering you in the right direction with whatever it may be you seek within the drone industry!”

“Totally recommend! Thanks Chris. Very patient and takes time to explain ! ( yes Totally recommend for that matter, I have already sent a friend of mine your way. He will contact you soon.)”

“From Mike Ghent. A joy to be trained by professionals. With a real passion for the subject matter and the skills to impart knowledge and confidence. A great training experience with continuous assistance and support through the course, assessment, and beyond. Many thanks”

“I need a GVC qualification to work on the UK's Polar research vessel in the Antarctic and Arctic. I was a little nervous about the subject matter of the course and my capacity to learn all of the info in just 3 days but Chris at DPA was simply excellent with his course plan and delivery/time management. It was a thoroughly enjoyable course and I would recommend, 10/10 training provider. Additionally if you are staying at the hotel the food/lunch is excellent.”

“Great instructors making a lot of hard info go in. Excellent company.”

“I deliberately chose a face-to-face training course for my GVC; for me there is massive value in having the ability to ask the tutor questions as they arise, and DPA organise things so that you can continue in the bar after the teaching has closed for the day. Hard work for an old man who has forgotten how to concentrate in a classroom, but ultimately successful. Chris Wright is very knowledgeable and experienced, a good teacher most generous with his time . Highly recommended.”

“I wanted to expand my understanding of Drone operations, so I booked a GVC with the Drone Pilot Academy. An excellent three day course, delivered with great instruction (patient and very knowledgeable) at a great venue. Course material was very good and post course support was excellent. If you are considering doing some Drone training then this is place I would recommend.”

“Excellent training and still giving me support and advice over a year after my course, including reviewing Op Manuals . I strongly recommend them!”

“I am really happy with the course and the instructors on the course, learned a lot, and have helped me achieve what I need to go further. Greatly appreciated.”

“Wanted to try a bit of a taster session flying drones and seeing the art of the possible. Jim was excellent, and provided lots of knowledge and guidance, completely made me feel comfortable with my first drone flight. Would highly recommend!”

“It has been a pleasure working with Drone Pilot Academy from the very first day. HVAC Communications was looking to introduce drones into the business and Jim from DPA spent time with us explaining what we would need to operate, demonstrated different drones and set everything up for us. The GVC course was delivered very professionally by Chris over three days with him going above an beyond to answer any questions put forward. The guys are very knowledgeable and their experience and previous RAF careers show through. The post course support has been great. We will definitely continue to use DPA in the future.”

“Completing a PFcO to GVC course in November 2023, with The Drone Pilot Academy, who I had also got my original PFcO drone licence with previously. 1 day course with James Ixer, who has a professional and friendly approach to his courses. I would recommend this company, for those considering getting into the Drone sector, for qualifications and training etc.”

“I attended the PfCO to GVC conversion course with Drone Pilot Academy last week and have to say how professionally it was put together. Jim is extremely knowledgeable and passionate, he gets the lesson across expertly and immediately putting you at ease. This is the second time I have gone to DPA for training and wouldn't consider going anywhere else. I can highly recommend them to anyone who has an interest in Drones. Thanks Jim and all at DPA”

“I was looking for a course to obtain my drone qualification to help with roof surveying and I was recommended to attended the 3 day course for the GVC and A2 CofC. On attendance the course was very educational by providing a full understanding of the requirements for drone flying. The material was easy to follow and any questions we had were promptly answered. There was a test on the third day which the whole class had passed. After the test we attended a field near by to practice flying a drone. After the class, the service was still present with help organising the flight test and the paperwork required to submit to the CAA. I would highly recommend attending a course via the Drone Pilot Academy if you require a qualification or are a beginner to drone flying. I will definitely be attending the infrared foundation course in the near future.”

“I have recently completed Drone Pilot Academy's A2 CofC and GVC courses along with several colleagues. A special shout out to Richie for sharing his experience, knowledge and skills, ensuring you're well-prepared for your journey into the skies. From understanding airspace regulations to mastering flight maneuvers, it's a fantastic experience. They've incorporated all the right elements for success. Highly recommend for all aspiring drone pilots!”

“I recently attended the GVC drone pilot course with Drone Pilot Academy. Thoroughly enjoyed the three day course. My instructor was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the subject, would defiantly recommend to anyone who has interests in drones, whether commercially or just for fun.”