On 31st December 2020, you will no longer be able to apply for a new PfCO / Standard Permissions from the CAA with an NQE Recommendation Certificate. You will only be able to get an Operational Authorisation from the CAA with an RAE Recommendation Certificate that you get from completing a GVC Drone Course.
Can I go into an existing PfCO with my NQE Recommendation Certificate?
You will still be able to go into an existing PfCO or holder of Standard Permissions if you hold an NQE Recommendation certificate after 31st December 2020 if the Accountable Manager / SUA Operator allows them to do so. They can then be added as a remote pilot into the Operations Manual.
If I hold a GVC / RAE Recommendation Certificate can I go into an existing PfCO?
If you hold a GVC / RAE Recommendation Certificate, then you will be able to be added as an additional Remote Pilot with no problem. You will also be able to be added to an Operations Manual of any operator who holds an Operational Authorisation with a PDRA (Pre-defined Risk Assessment) after 31st December 2020.
How do I convert my NQE Recommendation Certificate to a GVC / RAE Recomendation Certificate?
You will only be able to get an RAE Recomendatiopn Certificate / GVC if you do a course with an authorised RAE. UAVHUB is an authorised RAE and we have a conversion course available. You can find out more about our conversion course by clicking here.
What happens if I already hold a PfCO / Standard Permissions?
If you already hold a PfCO / Standard Permission then our best advice, for the time being, is to keep renewing this. If you accidentally forget to renew your PfCO, the CAA will not accept a new application and you will have to do a GVC drone course with an RAE.
Don't forget you can renew your PfCO / Standard Permissions up to 90 days before the expiry date, so be sure to put this into your diary and get it renewed early!
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.
Conclusion
You won't be able to apply for any permissions from the CAA after 31st December 2020 with an NQE Recommendation Certificate. You will only be able to get an Operational Authorisation with a GVC / RAE Recommendation Certificate.
If you hold a PfCO / Standard Permissions, keep renewing your Permissions to ensure you can keep operating without having to do another course.
If you are struggling with Operations Manual updates, make sure you subscribe to the HUBSUB and let us do the hard work for you.
