The competency of flights in the Specific Category will be determined by the risk assessment or the STS. This could range from a level of competency as defined in the Open Categories (such as the S2 CofC) through the requirements of a Certified operation pilot. In the middle ground, the UK has also introduced the GVC (General VLOS Certificate).
GVC (General VLOS Certificate)
The GVC provides a Remote Pilot Competency Certificate which provides a single qualification that is suitable for most VLOS operations within the Specific category. Additional modules may be added, currently, there is one: GVC Module 1 – BVLOS of Remote Pilot but utilising Visual Observers (i.e. EVLOS). There are both theoretical and practical aspects and it is to be conducted with an RAE (previously an NQE). It is valid for 5 years. Operators wishing to obtain this must fulfill some pre-requisites:
Some may be exempt from theory – these will be in CAP 722.
Obtain Basic Remote Pilot Competency – i.e. completion of CAA’s DMARES online training
Hold a Flyer ID
GVC Theory Test
It will consist of 40 Questions, Closed Book and Multiple Choice/Long Answer/Mixed questions. The duration of the exam will be determined by the RAE. The exam will specifically cover:
Air law/responsibilities;
UAS airspace operating principles;
Airmanship and aviation safety
The GVC theoretical examination may also include the A2 CofC examination in one sitting, but the examination must be expanded to 60 questions.
GVC Practical Test
This requires a practical demonstration of the pilot ability to comply with Operations Manual and STS or PDRA (I’ll cover the PDRA separately in another post). The test will be conducted outdoors and the RAE define pass/fail criteria. The test will specifically cover:
Pre-flight Actions
In-Flight Procedures
Post Flight Actions
For the GVC Module 1 this will additionally include:
BVLOS Operations with Visual Mitigation – General
Pre flight Actions
In Flight Procedures (with Visual Observer)
Post Flight Actions (without Visual Observer)
Small Print: These posts are a summary only, include my personal interpretation and are not intended to be a replacement for reading the actual rules.