About the exam
CAA GVC Exam structure
An independent study guide aligned to the current UK CAA fixed-wing and multirotor GVC learning objectives, operator-knowledge requirement, practical flight assessment and Operational Authorisation context.
Issuer and path
CAA General VLOS Certificate Study Guide is administered through UK Civil Aviation Authority. Check official resources before booking, retesting, or relying on a stale requirement.
General VLOS Certificate Remote Pilot Competence
0 scored + 0 pretest
The current UK CAA fixed-wing and multirotor GVC theory, operator-knowledge and practical-flight-assessment pathway for VLOS operations in the Specific category.
Before choosing an RAE
Verify the provider on the current CAA list, confirm the aircraft category, course and assessment delivery, theory format, Operations Manual expectations, practical aircraft, evidence, reassessment policy and whether the timing remains suitable before GVC issue ends.
How to use this guide
How to prepare for the CAA GVC
Start with the current certificate and authorisation boundary, work through the five official subjects, then apply the material to mission planning, abnormal procedures and post-flight records with your approved RAE(PC).
1. Verify the competence evidence
Check Flyer ID, GVC category and validity, recent experience, aircraft-specific training and any extra competence specified by the authorisation.
2. Read the Operational Authorisation
Confirm the operator, permitted operation, aircraft, location, VLOS, height, people, airspace, time and other limits before using an Operations Manual procedure.
3. Plan and brief the mission
Assess weather, airspace, people, site, aircraft, crew and contingencies; record permissions and agree stopping points.
4. Fly, recover and record
Use normal and abnormal procedures, preserve VLOS and safety margins, then make the system safe, inspect it and complete the required records.
UK UAS Regulatory Framework
How UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947, its AMC and GM, relevant Air Navigation Order provisions and current CAA publications fit together.
Key rules
Rule 1
UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947 sets the operating framework, while CAA Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material explain recognised ways to comply and how the rules are interpreted.
Exam cue: Identify whether a statement is a legal requirement, an acceptable means of compliance, guidance or provider procedure.
Rule 2
The Air Navigation Order still contains provisions relevant to UAS operations, so a Specific-category operation must be checked against both the retained UAS regulation and applicable national restrictions.
Exam cue: Use the current consolidated regulatory library before relying on an older CAP extract or course note.
Rule 3
Current CAA source material, the AIP, NOTAM and authorisation documents take priority over a training-provider summary when rules, airspace or transitional dates change.
Exam cue: Trace a restriction to its controlling source and effective date.
Common traps
Treating guidance as if it replaces the underlying regulation.
Prevention: Do not treat a GVC, provider procedure, automation feature or Operational Authorisation maximum as permission to ignore current airspace, aircraft, weather, people or operator-specific conditions.
Assuming the UAS regulation removed every relevant Air Navigation Order article.
Prevention: Do not treat a GVC, provider procedure, automation feature or Operational Authorisation maximum as permission to ignore current airspace, aircraft, weather, people or operator-specific conditions.
Relying on a historic GVC syllabus or transition date without checking the live CAA source.
Prevention: Do not treat a GVC, provider procedure, automation feature or Operational Authorisation maximum as permission to ignore current airspace, aircraft, weather, people or operator-specific conditions.
Memory anchors
Regulation
The regulation states the controlling legal duties and operating framework.
AMC
Acceptable Means of Compliance provides a recognised route to demonstrate compliance.
GM
Guidance Material helps explain application but does not create a separate authorisation.
ANO
Relevant national Air Navigation Order provisions continue to apply to UAS operations.
Current Source
Check the live CAA regulatory library and effective date before acting.
Source Order
Start with the rule and authorisation, then use AMC, GM and CAA guidance to apply it.
Next best moves
Quick check-up
Use a short quiz to confirm the rule pattern is actually sticking.
Check-up Questions
Which document grants a Specific-category operator permission for the defined operation?
A course note conflicts with a newly amended CAA regulatory-library page. What should the pilot use?
Answer all questions to submit.
Next step personalized recommendations
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Official resources
Verify the details with the official sources
Use these links for eligibility, scheduling, handbook rules, and issuer updates. Our guide helps you study; official sources tell you what the testing partner currently requires.
CAA Level 1, 2 and 3 Remote Pilot Certificates and GVC
Current GVC entry, fixed-wing and multirotor options, VLOS scope, validity, Operational Authorisation relationship and 31 December 2027 transition.
GVC common requirements
Current AMC requirements for approved-RAE training, Flyer ID entry, theoretical knowledge, operator knowledge and practical assessment.
GVC Fixed Wing and Multirotor AMC
Current five-subject assessment, practical profile and guide criteria, privileges, BVLOS prohibition, validity and qualification sequence.
Consolidated UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947
July 2026 consolidated regulation, AMC and appendices; Appendix B marks the detailed learning objectives applicable to the GVC.
CAA-approved RAE(PC) providers
Current directory used to verify an approved provider before booking GVC training or assessment.
CAP 722B RAE(PC) policy
Current RAE(PC) approval policy; Fifth Edition Amendment 2 is version 5.2 dated 16 July 2026.
Specific Category overview
CAA explanation of the need for an Operational Authorisation and the PDRA and UK SORA application routes.
PDRA01 overview
Current PDRA01 scope, operating conditions, VLOS and aircraft limits, authorisation period, records and oversight context.
PDRA01 remote-pilot competencies
Current Flyer ID, accepted GVC or RPC-L1, recent-experience, fitness, flight-log and operator-relationship requirements for PDRA01 remote pilots.
FAQ
Common CAA GVC questions
Is this an official CAA course, RAE or question bank?
No. This is an independent study guide and contains no examination questions. Recognised GVC training, theory assessment, practical training and practical assessment must be completed through a CAA-approved Recognised Assessment Entity for Pilot Competence.
Does holding a GVC authorise me to conduct a Specific-category flight?
No. The GVC is evidence of remote-pilot competence. The UAS operator needs an appropriate CAA Operational Authorisation, and the flight must stay within its scope, limits, Operations Manual and additional competence requirements. The authorisation must expressly accept the GVC.
What theory subjects are assessed?
The current AMC names air law, aircraft general knowledge, human performance, meteorology and operational procedures. Appendix B marks 96 detailed objectives for GVC. The course must also include operator knowledge appropriate to the GVC privileges.
How many questions are in the GVC theory assessment?
The current GVC AMC does not set one provider-independent question count, duration or theory pass mark. Each approved RAE designs an appropriate course and assessment around the current learning objectives and its approval. Obtain the exact current format and reassessment policy directly from the chosen RAE.
What is included in the practical flight assessment?
The current profile covers mission planning with weather, airspace and site risk, aircraft inspection and set-up, take-off, flight under abnormal conditions, safe shutdown, and post-flight inspection and recording. The RAE defines its pass/fail criteria.
What do minor, major and safety errors mean for the practical?
The AMC gives the RAE a guide: failure at a cumulative maximum of seven minor errors or three major errors, and automatic failure for any single safety error. Because the RAE must define the actual criteria, use its assessment briefing and do not treat these guide numbers as a scoring game.
What does PDRA01 add to the GVC?
PDRA01 is an Operational Authorisation route, not a certificate. It can authorise qualifying VLOS operations with UA from 250 g to below 25 kg in residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas. It also brings operator, manual, insurance, log, site-survey, aircraft and remote-pilot requirements, including a current Flyer ID, accepted GVC or RPC-L1, and recent similar-aircraft experience.
Can a GVC be used for BVLOS flight?
No. The current GVC privileges are limited to VLOS and the AMC expressly prohibits BVLOS. The newer RPC framework contains separate competence routes for operations beyond ordinary VLOS.
What happens to the GVC after 31 December 2027?
The CAA states that new GVC issue will stop on that date and training and assessment will move to the RPC framework. An existing GVC may still be accepted until its individual expiry if the Operational Authorisation expressly says it is acceptable. The CAA also describes a possible RAE bridging course to RPC-L1.
Is the five-year GVC validity the same as PDRA01 validity or flying currency?
No. Certificate validity, Flyer ID validity, Operational Authorisation validity and recent-experience requirements are separate. Current PDRA01 guidance requires at least two hours of similar or equivalent UAS experience in the previous three months before flight and describes a 12-month authorisation, so every component must be checked independently.