On 06 March 2020, UK State Secretary for Transportation Grant Shapps told the Aviation Week Network that the UK was leaving EASA, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
[This article has been updated on 30.04.2020 to reflect the delay to the implementation of the EU UAS Regulation package to 31st December 2020]
Although this was a surprise for some, this is not 'new news'. The CAA already has an information page set-up which states that after the transition period ends on 1st January 2021, the UK will leave EASA. During the transition period, there may or may not be a deal struck which helps to align the UK CAA and EASA, however, this is looking unlikely.
Yesterday we spoke to the head of the UAS Department at the UK CAA, and we can confirm, the UK is continuing with its plan to transition the regulations over to the EASA UAS Regulation Package as described in the CAP 1789. There may be some 'tweaks' over time in regards to the wording in the regulations now we are leaving EASA, however, the plan is to carry on as per the original plan, with the GVC and A2 CofC being the drone qualifications which will be required and accepted in the UK from 31st December2020.
For the Drone Industry, nothing is changing and the plan to adopt the new regulations is still happening. All NQE's who wish to transition over to RAE status will by 31st December2020.
UAVHUB is already an RAE and all of our courses are now futureproofed delvering the GVC and A2 CofC.
Don't panic! In regards to the Drone Industry, nothing is changing to the original plan that was laid out in the CAP 1789. We are adopting the EASA UAS Regulation Package and the new drone courses will be GVC and A2 CofC.
From the 31st December2020, you will get issued an Operational Authorisation. If you hold a PfCO these will still be valid beyond 31st December2020, however, you must make sure that you don't let it lapse/expire! When you renew a PfCO (if you haven't let it expire) you will get an Operational Authorisation.
The Operational Authorisation is the piece of paper / PDF that states what permissions you have from the CAA.
If you let your PfCO expire, you will have to do a GVC conversion course to get a new Recognised Assessment Entity (RAE) and apply for a new Operational Authorisation.
If you have an NQE Recommendation Certificate and you currently don't hold a PfCO, then this will expire on 31st December2020 and you won't be able to apply for an Operational Authorisation. You will need to do do a GVC conversion course and get an RAE Recommendation Certificate.
If you're still unsure where you stand, give the team a shout on 0800 033 4400 or email us at hello@uavhub.com.
Yes. You can hold an A2 CofC and an Operational Authorisation gained through doing a GVC Drone course. These are two different certificates that allow you to fly either in the Open Category or the Specific Category.
Yes. You have to renew an Operational Authorisation every 12 months with the CAA.
5 years after issue from a Recognised Assessment Entity (RAE).
5 years after issue from a Recognised Assessment Entity (RAE).
No. The GVC is a different course to the PfCO, unless your training company is an RAE and not an NQE, in which case they may do a Hybrid course where you will be able to get a GVC after finishing the course.