Uplift Drones
Fast Track PfCO Course
The Fast Track PfCO course leads to our recommendation to the CAA for granting the applicant a Permission for Commercial Operations (PfCO). This is a high quality “essentials course” taught by experts that leads to full CAA qualification, allowing you to undertake commercial work with drones.
E-Learning
To ensure you are well prepared for the course, you will have access to our online pre-course material (e-learning). Please ensure you work through the e-learning material prior to attending Ground School, as this will greatly improve your understanding of the modules and theory test score.
Ground School & Theory Test
Our 2-day Ground School is all theory-based in the classroom. Within those 2 days we cover modules from Air Law to Meteorology to Risk Assessments. You will take your theory examination at the end of Day 2.
All course days run promptly from 08:30 to approx. 17:00, please allow ample travel time to and from your course location.
Flight Test
This course also includes the cost of your practical flight test, which is conducted on a separate day when you feel ready to pass with confidence. Although the cost is included, you will need to book your practical flight test separately and in advance with the Uplift office team. If the examination is failed the student will incur a retest fee.
You will need to complete the following before your Flight Test:
- Theory exam passed.
- Operations Manual reviewed and passed by the training team OR Uplift Drones procedures learned before test.
- We require a minimum of 5 hours of logged flight time; this is to ensure you are able to successfully pass your flight exam and you meet the minimum standard required.
- Insurance in place.
- Risk Assessment & Site Assessment paperwork.
- Book your Flight Test with the Uplift office team.
Additionally
- Appropriate weather
- A drone! If you do not yet have an aircraft, please speak to us about hiring or purchasing a drone for the Flight Test.
Important:
- Spaces can be limited so please book & confirm your time slot with the Uplift office team as soon as you feel confident to pass your flight test.
- You must book and pass your Flight Test within 6 months of passing your Theory Test.
- The test takes approximately 1.5 hours, however this may vary.
- If the flight test is failed the student will incur a retest fee.
Our friendly team are on hand to answer any questions you may have about the Flight Test, so please do not hesitate to contact us!
Operations Manual
Finally, you will need to complete your Operations Manual Vol 1 & 2. This is something you complete in your own time with our template via E-Learning. Once this final section is complete, we can then submit your PfCO application to the CAA.
All our students are assigned a dedicated Uplift Instructor as their main point of contact throughout the Permission application process. This instructor will review your Ops Manual and answer any queries you may have along the way.
ADVANCED PFCO
3 Day Advanced Training Course
Here at Uplift, we recommend students new to drone flying should take the Advanced PfCO course. This is because it includes 2 days of theory training and 1 day of practical flight training, to ensure you become a competent and confident drone pilot.
This course leads to our recommendation to the CAA for granting the applicant a Permission for Commercial Operations (PfCO) and leads to full CAA qualification, that allows you to undertake commercial work with drones.
E-Learning
To ensure you are well prepared for the course, you will have access to our online pre-course material (e-learning). Please ensure you work through the e-learning material prior to attending Ground School, as this will greatly improve your understanding of the modules and theory test score.
Ground School & Theory Test
Our 2-day Ground School is all theory-based in the classroom. Within those 2 days we cover modules from Air Law to Meteorology to Risk Assessments. You will take your theory examination at the end of Day 2.
All course days run promptly from 08:30 to approx. 17:00, please allow ample travel time to and from your course location.
Flight Training
Your third day of the Advanced PfCO course is a hands-on practical flight training day, focusing on how to plan and fly a commercial job. This is a rare opportunity to practice more difficult flying (such as ATTI flying) in a safe environment, and to enhance your flight skills with an instructor on hand.
It’s an invaluable day for those looking to maximise their chances of passing their flight test, and for those who want to ‘hit the ground running’ when they are ready to start their commercial operations.
We provide all students with a market-leading drone and drone insurance for the flight training day.
Flight Test
This course also includes the cost of your practical flight test, which is conducted on a separate day when you feel ready to pass with confidence. Although the cost is included, you will need to book your practical flight test separately and in advance with the Uplift office team. If the examination is failed the student will incur a retest fee.
You will need to complete the following before your Flight Test:
- Theory exam passed.
- Operations Manual reviewed and passed by the training team OR Uplift Drones’ procedures learned before test.
- We require a minimum of 5 hours of logged flight time; this is to ensure you are able to successfully pass your flight exam and you meet the minimum standard required.
- Insurance in place.
- Risk Assessment & Site Assessment paperwork.
- Book your Flight Test with the Uplift office team.
- Additionally
- Appropriate weather
- A drone! If you do not yet have an aircraft, please speak to us about hiring or purchasing a drone for the Flight Test.
Important:
Spaces can be limited so please book & confirm your time slot with the Uplift office team as soon as you feel confident to pass your flight test.
You must book and pass your Flight Test within 6 months of passing your Theory Test.
The test takes approximately 1.5 hours, however this may vary.
If the flight test is failed the student will incur a retest fee.
Our friendly team are on hand to answer any questions you may have about the Flight Test, so please do not hesitate to contact us!
Operations Manual
Finally, you will need to complete your Operations Manual Vol 1 & 2. This is something you complete in your own time with our template via E-Learning. Once this final section is complete, we can then submit your PfCO application to the CAA.
All our students are assigned a dedicated Uplift Drones Instructor as their main point of contact throughout the Permission application process. This instructor will review your Ops Manual and answer any queries you may have along the way.
DRONE MAPPING
2-Day Drone Mapping Course with Pix4D Software
Introduction to Drone Mapping with Pix4D
This course will allow you to formulate a strong understanding around the core functions within Pix4D photogrammetry software. It is aimed at professionals who will benefit from the use of a photogrammetry capability, whilst typically deploying unmanned aerial vehicles for their day to day survey works. Pix4D is a highly capable drone mapping platform that has many in-depth functions.
What Will You Learn?
- Our course offers students the opportunity to develop their knowledge of:
- Data Capture process including the use of capture apps.
- Environmental factors affecting data capture.
- Creation of georeferenced maps.
- Creation of 3D models.
- Phraseology and meaning of Pix4D processes.
The course is aimed at professional surveyors and consultants with little or no knowledge of photogrammetry processing, and is an essential step in taking your business operations to the next level.
About Pix4D
Pix4D is a market-leading software company providing imagery processing to many industrial applications, from construction and agriculture through to the emergency services. Headquartered in Lausanne Switzerland, Pix4D continues to develop advanced photogrammetry techniques from its extensive development road map.
Day 1
- Day 1 introduces the Pix4D photogrammetry software and you will:
- Understand what photogrammetry is.
- Know and understand the phraseology used within Pix4D.
- Understand how to create a data set of images with reliable geo-referencing.
- Identify the technical and environmental limitations affecting the use of photogrammetry data capture.
- Be able to operate Pix4D capture app.
Day 2
- By the end of day 2 you will have a full understanding of Pix4D and be able to:
- Create a 3D Model.
- Be able to set scaling within a processed data set.
- Understand where to use manual tie points and why.
- Understand some of the file outputs that can be
PRACTICAL FLIGHT TEST
Flight Test: Guidance
We have to assess you as a SAFE commercial SUA operator to recommend you to the CAA for your PfCO. You should treat the flight test as a commercial job, doing everything you state in your Operations Manual.
The flight test is an assessment of your abilities to operate a SUA safely as a commercial operator. This includes planning, paperwork, setting up and operating the SUA. We are assessing that you are safe at all times, and that the safety of the aircraft and environment (including people, buildings etc.) it’s operating in is never in doubt.
The test takes approximately 1.5 hours, however this may vary. Always allow ample travel time to and from your booking location.
Requirements for Flight Test:
- Theory Exam has been passed.
- Operations Manual has been reviewed and passed by the Uplift Drones training team OR Uplift Drones’ procedures learned before Flight Test (Fast Track route).
- We require a minimum of 5 hours of logged flight time; this is to ensure you are able to successfully pass your Flight Test and you meet the minimum standard required.
- Insurance in place with proof provided.
- Risk Assessment & Site Assessment paperwork.
Additionally
- Appropriate weather.
- A drone! If you do not yet have an aircraft, please speak to us about hiring or purchasing a drone for the Flight Test.
- Safety equipment; you can purchase our flight safety starter kit for your practical Flight Test here.
The cost of the Flight Test is included in our Advanced, Commercial Enterprise, Fast Track and Pilot’s PfCO drone training courses.
Our friendly team are on hand to answer any questions you may have about the Practical Flight Test. Please do not hesitate to contact us!
OSC VOLUME 3
Reduced Distance Separation Course
Reduced Distance PfCO Course
If you want to operate with reduced distance separation compared to what the standard Permission for Commercial Operations allows (less than 50m), then you have to submit an Operational Safety Case Volume 3 (commonly referred to as an OSC Volume 3). This is specified in the CAAs guidance (CAP 722).
This OSC is submitted in addition to Volumes 1 + 2 along with supporting evidence in an application to the CAA for a reduced distance PfCO.
The Uplift Drones OSC Volume 3 course contains expert guidance from our experienced consultants, gained from a legion of successful OSC Vol 3 applications. You will receive extra detail and instruction, above and beyond what is provided in CAP 722 on how to structure your OSC Volume 3 application to the CAA.
What’s Included in this Course:
An Introduction to the OSC Vol 3.
What to consider including in your documentation to support your application to the CAA for reduced distances.
Evidence to consider presenting to the CAA in your application.
Guidance on how to write the Vol 3 document.
Examples of risk assessing your operation (a copy and paste template is NOT provided).
Two part course including; 2-hour e-learning module and 1-day classroom course with an OSC experienced operator.
Additional expert guidance in comparison that featured in the CAP 722.
All our students are assigned a dedicated Uplift Instructor as their main point of contact throughout the OSC application process. This instructor will review Volume 3 of your Ops Manual and answer any queries you may have along the way.
“Qualified operators will be well aware of the benefits of holding a PfCO from the CAA. The OSC Vol 3 or sometimes referred to as an “exemption” is the next step to gaining permissions that are above what the standard PfCO allows. These enhanced permissions may be operating closer to uninvolved persons or flying higher than the standard PfCO allows. Our OSC course gives an insight into how to write the documentation to support this application process and what evidence to submit to the CAA.” – Matthew Lee, Director of Uplift Drones
Uplift believes adherence to the principles laid out in the OSC Volume 3 course will significantly improve your chances of approval. This OSC Vol 3 guidance is now available at this excellent value price, in comparison to expensive consultant’s fees.
Terms & Conditions:
The OSC Volume 3 training course is not approved by the CAA. Note: the CAA do not grant approvals for OSC Volume 3 training courses.
Completion of the course does not grant a reduced distances permission or “OSC”. Nor does it guarantee approval when applying to the CAA, as the final decision for any permission rests with the CAA based on the evidence submitted. This course will provide expert guidance to give you the best chance of approval.
We recommend you have already held a PfCO for a significant period of time, with significant logged flying experience, before application for an OSC approval.
PILOT’S PFCO
Drone Training Course for Licenced Pilots
If you have a manned pilots licence or other qualification acceptable to the CAA (proof required) the ‘Pilot’s PfCO’ abbreviated course is available. If you do have relevant experience as detailed by the UK CAA, you are exempt from the ground school component of our PfCO training courses. Students are required to submit an ops manual, perform a theory test and complete a flight test.
Qualifications accepted by the CAA include but are not limited to*:
- Current EASA Fixed-Wing, Helicopter or Microlight Licence.
- Current UK National Fixed-Wing, Helicopter or Microlight Licence.
- UK Military Pilot / Remote Pilot or RPAS Operator Qualification (applicable where basic flight training has been carried out in non-segregated UK airspace). RAF VGS Instructor qualifications commencing at G1 Instructor level are also acceptable.
- British Gliding Association (BGA) – Bronze ‘C’ and above (or EASA equivalent).
- BMFA ‘A’ or ‘B’ Certificates.
Non-UK SUA/RPAS qualification/licence and/or other lapsed pilot licences or certificates are subject to a case-by-case UK CAA assessment.
*Please note the above examples can be used as a guide only, however the full range of available concessions is set out in more detail in CAP722.
Flight Test
This course includes the cost of your practical flight test, which is conducted when you feel ready to pass with confidence. If the flight test is failed the student will incur a retest fee.
You will need to complete the following before your flight test:
- Theory exam passed.
- Operations Manual reviewed and passed by the training team OR Uplift Drones procedures learned before test.
- We require a minimum of 5 hours of logged flight time; this is to ensure you are able to successfully pass your flight exam and you meet the minimum standard required.
- Insurance in place.
- Risk Assessment & Site Assessment paperwork
Additionally
- Appropriate weather
- A drone (please speak to us about hiring or purchasing a drone for the test)
Important:
- Spaces can be limited so please book & confirm your time slot with the Uplift office team as soon as you feel confident to pass your flight test.
- You must book and pass your Flight Test within 6 months of passing your Theory Test.
- The test takes approximately 1.5 hours, however this may vary.
- If the flight test is failed the student will incur a retest fee.
Our friendly team are on hand to answer any questions you may have about the Flight Test, so please do not hesitate to contact us!
Operations Manual
Finally, you will need to complete your Operations Manual Vol 1 & 2. This is something you complete in your own time with our template via E-Learning. Once this final section is complete, you can then submit your PfCO application to the CAA.
All our students are assigned a dedicated Uplift Drones Instructor as their main point of contact throughout the Permission application process. This instructor will review your Ops Manual and answer any queries you may have along the way.
Theory Test
Your theory test takes place in the afternoon of the ground school. You are exempt from attending the full day and only need to complete the theory test itself (total 1.5 hours).
Flight Test
Your flight test is conducted on a separate date when you are ready and able to pass with confidence. If the flight test is failed the student will incur a retest fee.
Operations Manual
Finally, you will need to complete your Operations Manual Vol 1 & 2. This is something you complete in your own time with our template via E-Learning. Once this final section is complete, students on this course are expected to submit their own paperwork to the CAA – this allows us to offer this course at a very low price.