FAQ

WHY CHOOSE UAVHUB?

  • The First UK’s Independent Commercial Drone Training School
  • CAA accredited and approved with National Qualified Entity (NQE) status
  • Designed by Military Helicopter Pilots and Instructors
  • Delivered by leading Drone Operators and Ex-Military Pilots with thousands of manning hours behind them.
  • Courses designed specifically for different sectors of the Drone Industry
  • Partnered with Lantra 
  • Partnered with NFTS (National Film and Television School) for UK’s First Aerial Cinematography and Media Course.
  • Over 1800 students trained since 2015 
  • Courses running weekly in many locations including; Oxfordshire, Staffordshire, Lancashire, Somerset, Kent and Yorkshire,
  • Permanent Company base with full-time working office (Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm) 
  • Full time reception with the team always available for enquires and advise
  • Pre-flight training available for complete novices
  • Reasonably priced with NO hidden fees 

 

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO GET MY PfCO?
  • ICARUS COURSE (~£499 - £749.50)
  • INSURANCE (£POA with Coverdrone/Flock Cover) 
  • FEE TO CAA (£253 First Time Submission) 

 

WHY DO I NEED A PERMISSION FOR COMMERCIAL OPERATION?

If you plan to fly your drone for yours or someone else's commercial gain, you need a Permission for Commercial Operation (PfCO) from the UK Civil Aviation Authority. Or another way to put it is, if you or someone stands to benefit financially or in kind from the flight, you need to prove you are competent and insured - which can legally only be done through a PfCO.

The PfCO is evidence that you have insurance, and learnt and passed assessments on relevant air regulation, safety, and flight competence - so you know what you should and shouldn't be doing. Flying for commercial gain without a PfCO, as well as breaking any of the regulations set out in the CAA's CAP393, is illegal and dealt with by the police. 

This applies to everybody, across every business, and with every aircraft, such as:

  • A Photographer wishing to take aerial landscape and wedding photos with a DJI Phantom 4, to sell as prints
  • A Surveyor wishing to inspect high structures for damage with an AscTec Falcon 8, as part of their report
  • An Estate Agent wishing to take aerial property photos with a 3DR Solo, to use in marketing
  • An Emergency Service worker wishing to use a DJI Inspire 1 with thermal imaging, for surveillance or fire monitoring

It's now even easier to gain your PfCO by attending one of our renowned ICARUS courses across the UK. You'll be taught all you need to know, and more, by our expert instructors. Our course was developed by a former military helicopter pilot, and is the only syllabus to include extra crucial information on the UK military Low Flying System, and LiPo battery safety. We are also one of very few courses where you can complete the theory and practical elements from the same convenient location.

We're committed to developing you into more than just a safe operator, by guiding you through this niche industry's best practises to becoming a respected operator and successful business too. Our range of additional courses, from night approval to photography, can ensure you stay ahead of the competition by continually developing your skills and business.

We pride ourselves on giving the best experience and service, and consciously keep classes small so we can get to know each of our students and their needs and ambitions as best as possible. When you take our course, you become part of the family.

 

WHERE CAN A HOBBYIST DRONE BE FLOWN?

As a general rule, unless the drone pilot has permission from the CAA, he or she should not be flying within 150m of a ‘congested area’ (e.g. town or city) or at a public event. When the pilot does have permission from the CAA, such flights are usually restricted to flight distances no closer than 50m from persons, vehicles and structures that are not ‘under the control’ of the pilot. Direct over-flight at any height is not usually permitted. – These restrictions mean that the use of a drone in public places is limited and often not suitable or legal unless the operator has received the appropriate permission from the CAA.

 

WHAT IS THE CAA DEFINITION OF A CONGESTED AREA?

The definition of a congested area is: ‘Congested area’ in relation to a city, town or settlement, means any area which is substantially used for residential, industrial, commercial or recreational purposes’. Anything from a smallvillage (group of houses), people or anything that can be damaged (buildings, cars etc…).

 

WHAT IS THE CAA DEFINITION OF A 'SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT (SUA)' ?

In terms of these regulations (the Air Navigation Order), a ‘small unmanned aircraft’ means any unmanned aircraft, other than a balloon or a kite, having a mass of not more than 20kg without its fuel, but including any articles or equipment installed in or attached to the aircraft at the commencement of its flight. – When an unmanned aircraft weights more than 20kg, additional regulations come into play and recreational aircraft in this category are usually classified as ‘large model aircraft’.

 

WHAT IS CLASSIFIED AS 'PAID WORK' AND REQUIRES A PFCO? 

The Air Navigation Order defines ‘aerial work’ as: –

“Any purpose, other than commercial air transport or public transport, for which an aircraft is flown if valuable consideration is given or promised for the flight or the purpose of the flight.”

At the present time, any activities involving the remunerated carriage of persons, cargo or mail are prohibited to drones although occasionally permission may be given to ‘drop articles’.

The term ‘aerial work’ allows a broad variety of flight applications, predominantly centring on aerial photography or the operation of other sensors and data-gathering devices. The essential question that needs to be asked is “what is the purpose of the (specific) flight?” i.e.”If I were not receiving payment/valuable consideration for making the flight, would it still take place?” –

Example 1: A drone operator holding a CAA permission for aerial work is engaged to film or survey a building development site or infrastructure facility. This is clearly within the remit of the permission and the operation can proceed within the limitations and conditions stated on the operator’s permission.

Example 2: An estate agent or builder’s firm wants to use a drone for aerial imagery/survey as part of their service. This also would be considered aerial work even if it only comprised a small part of the service to the customer, e.g. advertising a customer’s house or checking the property for the extent of works required. The operator of the drone would need to have a CAA permission for aerial work. The estate agent or builder’s firm should gain a permission or use the services of an existing permission holder.