AMC1 Article 8 Remote Pilot Competence

CAA ORS9 Decision No. 16

SPECIFIC CATEGORY REMOTE PILOT COMPETENCE

The necessary level of pilot competence will be identified by the UAS Operator, as set out under Article 11(5)(f), in accordance with UAS.SPEC.050(1)(d)(i).

In order to demonstrate pilot competence for Specific category VLOS operations a RP must hold a UK General VLOS Certificate (GVC) GVC, as a minimum.

The UAS Operator may identify further qualifications that the RP must have, within the risk assessment process.

‘NQE full recommendations’ are a previous version of the GVC course, and although no longer issued, some RPs may still hold these qualifications. These qualifications have been superseded by the GVC, and as such the CAA will no longer recognise them after 01 January 2024; until this date, the CAA will recognise their use for operations under an existing OA. Any UAS Operator applying for a new OA, will need to select an alternative pilot competence qualification, such as the GVC.

UAS Operators conducting more complex operations, who’s RPs may hold other qualifications, must ensure that their RPs have a full understanding of the applicable UAS regulations. This may be achieved by either ensuring they hold a valid GVC, or by carrying out internal training. UAS Operators who chose to carry out internal training, must ensure the theoretical knowledge syllabus described later in this AMC, is followed.

Note:

Other qualifications with the same name (i.e. GVC) issued outside the UK, are not automatically recognised by the CAA. Any such qualifications that are recognised as equivalent to the UK GVC, will be promulgated separately to this document.

GENERAL VLOS CERTIFICATE

In order to qualify for the issue of a GVC, a RP must:

Have completed the Open category online training material (AMC1UAS.OPEN.20(4)(b) & UASOPEN.040(3) & UASOPEN.0302(a); and

Complete the Open category online assessment, and have obtained a Flyer ID; and
Complete the necessary theoretical knowledge training; and
Complete the necessary practical training in order to pass the practical flight test; and
Have an OM, that can be provided for the practical flight test; and
Complete the theoretical knowledge examination; and
Complete the practical flying test

The theoretical knowledge examination and the practical flying test shall take place at a Recognised Assessment Entity (RAE).

On successful completion of the above elements, the RAE may issue the candidate with a General VLOS Certificate.

The format of this certificate, shall follow this template:

Image showing the format of the General VLOS certificate that would be issued by the RAE

Note:

The CAA will provide RAEs with full versions of these templates for use.

THEORETICAL KNOWLEDGE EXAMINATION

The examination will comprise a minimum of 40 questions, which cover the syllabus sufficiently, as set out in the syllabus below.

The questions may be multiple choice, with a choice of no fewer than 4 answer options. Questions may also be long answer questions.

The examination may be electronic, or paper based, but must be closed book format (i.e. without reference to external material). The pass mark shall be no less than 75%. The duration of the exam is to be agreed between the RAE and the CAA.

If a candidate is re-sitting the examination, they shall answer a different set of questions.

THEORETICAL KNOWLEDGE SYLLABUS

Subject	Areas to be covered
Air Law / Responsibilities	Terminology The UAS Regulation Package Overall principles UAS operating categories Specific Requirements The Air Navigation Order General overview Responsibilities – UAS Operator, RP Avoidance of collisions (‘See and Avoid’, i.e. Visual Line of Sight principles) Other Regulation Incident and accident reporting and investigation: Mandatory Occurrence Reporting (MOR) & European Coordination Centre for Accident and Incident Reporting Systems (ECCAIRS) Portal, Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) notification Airprox reporting Investigation handling/ assistance Insurance aircraft and third-party liability (EU785/ 2004 compliance)
UAS Airspace Operating Principles	Airspace overview Flight Information Regions (FIR) Airspace classifications Differing considerations, controlled airspace Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ), Aerodrome Traffic Zone (ATZ), gliding/ parachuting/ microlight sites etc Danger Areas, Prohibited Areas, Restricted Areas Temporary Airspace Reservations Obtaining information/approvals UK Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) Aeronautical Information Circulars (AICs) Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) Permission and ENSF process Whom to contact UAS Operations Visual Line of Sight (VLOS)
Airmanship and Aviation Safety	Good airmanship principles Aircraft safe to operate RP fit to operate aircraft Proper planning and preparation Hazard identification Flight Safety Avoiding collisions ‘See and Avoid’ with respect to manned aircraft and other air users Perception Distance, height and speed awareness Planning, go/ no go decisions Overflight of people, crowds and gatherings Congested area operations Flights at night Operational mitigations for ground and air risks RP logbooks and Technical log books
Human Performance Limitations	Medical fitness Crew health precautions Alcohol, drugs, medication Medical restrictions Fatigue Flight duration/ flight workload Time of flight Working hours Effects of weather Outdoor, remote and lone working Crew/colleague management Depth perception Blind spot Scan technique Decision process Public/ third parties Stress/ pressure from ‘customers’
Meteorology	Introduction to obtaining and interpreting weather information Weather reporting resources Reports, forecasts and meteorological conventions appropriate for typical UAS flight operations Local weather assessments Effects of weather on the UA Wind – urban effects, gradients, masking, turbulence Temperature – precipitation, icing, turbulence Visibility factors Clouds – Cumulonimbus (CB) hazards (including lightning)
Navigation / Charts	Basic map reading (OS) – 1:50,000 and 1:25,000 Aviation charts – 1:500,000 and 1:250,000 Interpretation Specialised charts (e.g. London helicopter routes) Understanding of basic terms Aeronautical units of measurement (Ft, km, Nm) Elevation, Altitude and height measurement GPS principles How it works and limitations
UAS General Knowledge	Basic principles of flight Fixed-wing, rotary wing and multi-rotor Command and Control (C2) Datalink frequencies/ spectrum Manual intervention/ override Flight control modes Limitations Operational envelope Stability Mass and MTOM Centre of gravity Effect of payload on flight Operating guides Flight procedures/ basic drills Emergencies1 Maintenance of system Scheduled maintenance and repairs Security of aircraft/ attached items Manufacturer’s recommendations Assessment - ‘safe to be flown?’ Technical mitigations For ground and air risks
Operator Responsibilities	UAS Operator Responsibilities, as set out in the regulation and AMC/GM Development of operational procedures Development of an OM
Operating Procedures	Pre-planning Consideration of intended task Site assessment Establishing a safe operating environment Hazard identification & risk assessment Mitigating measures Site owner’s permission Situational awareness Location Airspace Aerodromes Obstructions Public right of way Communications Operating alone Liaison with Air Traffic Control Operating with other air users Pre-flight Pre-flight checklist Security of attachments/ payload Airworthiness Failsafe check Battery condition Weather In Flight In-flight monitoring Fuel/ battery status Visual Line of Sight Emergency actions: (Emergency Response Plan), loss of control/ flyaway, malfunctions2 Deconfliction/ separation Designated landing area not clear Post-flight Post-flight actions - debrief/ logging of flight details Post-flight maintenance Security Public access to aircraft and control Other security considerations

PRACTICAL FLYING TEST

The practical test element assesses whether the RP can safely undertake a range of VLOS operations whilst adhering to a set of procedures in the OM. The test will be conducted against the OM produced by the candidate. This can either be developed by the candidate themselves, or by the UAS Operator (if separate to the RP).

The RAE staff responsible for the assessment tasks will have adequate knowledge and competence of the operations of the type of UA that is to be flown during the test. The person responsible for conducting the practical flight assessment may also offer suitable training to the student prior to conducting the assessment.

The practical flying test will be conducted outdoors and at a location that is suitable for conducting the test (i.e. of suitable dimensions, volume and airspace class).

The RAE will include practical demonstrations of manoeuvres, relevant to the candidate’s OM, that display the RP’s ability to safely position and control the aircraft. Manoeuvres may be demonstrated individually, or as part of a more generalised operating scenario; they must be clearly described and illustrated within the RAE’s application documentation and will be subject to assessment for suitability during the approval process.

The RAE will define the pass/fail criteria for the practical flight test assessment. As a guide, the criteria should consist of a combination of:

‘Minor’ errors – cumulative up to a maximum of 7, at which point the test is failed;
‘Major’ errors – cumulative up to a maximum of 3, at which point the test is failed;
‘Safety’ errors – any single safety error will result in an automatic failure.

The practical test must be summarised in a written report that details the test scenario that was used, the manoeuvres undertaken and an assessment of the examinee’s performance for each ‘section’ of the test, along with guidance on areas for improvement where applicable. Reports must also contain details of the examinee, the assessor, any additional personnel involved and the date and location of the test.

A record of each practical assessment must be retained by the RAE for a minimum of 5 years.

PRACTICAL FLYING TEST ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Subject	Areas to be covered
Pre-Flight Actions	Mission planning (to include meteorological checks), airspace considerations, and site risk-assessment Identify the objectives of the intended operation Ensure that the defined operational volume and relevant buffers (e.g. ground risk buffer) are suitable for the intended operation Identify any obstacles in the operational volume that could hinder the intended operation Consider whether the air flow may be affected by topography or by obstacles in the operational volume Consider any external factors that may affect the flight, and assess their impact on the operation Review the relevant airspace information (including on UAS geographical zones) that can have an impact on the intended operation Confirm that the UAS is suitable for the intended operation Ensure that the selected payload is compatible with the UAS being used for the operation Determine the measures necessary to comply with the limitations and conditions applicable to the operational volume and ground risk buffer for the intended operation in accordance with the OM procedures for the relevant scenario Identify and, where necessary, implement the procedures to operate in FRZs or controlled airspace, including a protocol to communicate with ATC and obtain clearance and instructions Confirm that all the necessary documents for the intended operation are on site Ensure all participants are sufficiently briefed on the details of the planned operation Aircraft pre-flight inspection and set-up (including flight controller modes and power‑source hazards) Assess the general condition of the UAS in accordance with the procedures contained within the OM and manufacturer’s instructions Ensure the set-up procedures are completed correctly in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions Ensure that all the removable components of the UAS are properly secured Make sure that the UAS software configurations are compatible/ up to date Check that the UAS instruments are calibrated appropriately, as required by the intended operation Identify any fault, damage or configuration that may compromise the intended operation Ensure the propulsion energy level (e.g. battery life, or other fuel supply) is sufficient for the intended operation Confirm that the flight termination system of the UAS and its triggering system are compliant Check the correct functioning of the C2 link Activate the geo-awareness system and upload the information to it (if geo-awareness system is available) Set the height, speed and distance limitation systems (if available) Set the direct remote identification system (if fitted) ‘Pre-take-off verbal briefing’ given by the examinee stating the basic actions to be taken in the event of an aircraft emergency or if a mid-air collision hazard arises during the flight
In Flight Procedures	Maintain an effective look-out and keep the aircraft within Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) at all times Maintain situational awareness, particularly with respect to: o Location of the aircraft in relation to other airspace users o Meteorological conditions o Obstacles, terrain and uninvolved persons Perform accurate and controlled flight manoeuvres at representative heights and distances (including flight in manual/ non-GNSS assisted mode or equivalent where fitted) Take-off procedures; Perform after take-off/functionality checks Hover in position (Multirotor/ Helicopter/ VTOL FW only) Transition from hover into forward flight (Multirotor/ Helicopter/ VTOL FW) o Climb and descent to/ from level flight o Turns in level flight o Speed control in level flight o Transition from forward flight into hover (Multirotor/ Helicopter/ VTOL FW) o Precision manoeuvring in hover (Multirotor/ Helicopter/ VTOL FW) o Approach and landing o Actions following failure of a motor/ propulsion system (according to aircraft type)3 o Evasive action (manoeuvres) to avoid collisions o Real-time monitoring of aircraft status and endurance limitations Flight under abnormal conditions Display continuous awareness of, and consideration for, the safety of third parties on the ground Deal correctly with a partial or complete loss of power to the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) while ensuring the safety of any third parties Manage the UA’s flight path in abnormal situations Manage a situation when the UAS positioning equipment is impaired Manage a situation where an uninvolved person enters the zone of operation and take appropriate measures to maintain safety React to, and take the appropriate corrective action for, a situation where the UA is likely to exceed the limits of the intended operating area Take the appropriate action for a situation when another aircraft approaches the operating area and is in confliction with the UA Demonstrate the recovery method following a deliberate (simulated) loss of the C2 Link. In place of any rotary wing ‘return to home’ function, fixed-wing aircraft may demonstrate an equivalent procedure that results in a suitably automated, low-impact descent and landing. When demonstrating this function, the student must also demonstrate how collisions will be avoided
Post-flight Actions	Shut down and secure/make safe the UAS Post-flight inspection and recording of any relevant data relating to the general condition of the UAS (its systems, components and power-sources), controller functionality and crew fatigue Conduct a debriefing of the operation with all relevant personnel Identify situations where an occurrence report may be necessary and complete the required occurrence report

Subject

Areas to be covered

Pre-Flight Actions

Mission planning (to include meteorological checks), airspace considerations, and site risk-assessment

Identify the objectives of the intended operation

Ensure that the defined operational volume and relevant buffers (e.g. ground risk buffer) are suitable for the intended operation

Identify any obstacles in the operational volume that could hinder the intended operation

Consider whether the air flow may be affected by topography or by obstacles in the operational volume

Consider any external factors that may affect the flight, and assess their impact on the operation

Review the relevant airspace information (including on UAS geographical zones) that can have an impact on the intended operation

Confirm that the UAS is suitable for the intended operation

Ensure that the selected payload is compatible with the UAS being used for the operation

Determine the measures necessary to comply with the limitations and conditions applicable to the operational volume and ground risk buffer for the intended operation in accordance with the OM procedures for the relevant scenario

Identify and, where necessary, implement the procedures to operate in FRZs or controlled airspace, including a protocol to communicate with ATC and obtain clearance and instructions

Confirm that all the necessary documents for the intended operation are on site

Ensure all participants are sufficiently briefed on the details of the planned operation

Aircraft pre-flight inspection and set-up (including flight controller modes and power‑source hazards)

Assess the general condition of the UAS in accordance with the procedures contained within the OM and manufacturer’s instructions

Ensure the set-up procedures are completed correctly in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions

Ensure that all the removable components of the UAS are properly secured

Make sure that the UAS software configurations are compatible/ up to date

Check that the UAS instruments are calibrated appropriately, as required by the intended operation

Identify any fault, damage or configuration that may compromise the intended operation

Ensure the propulsion energy level (e.g. battery life, or other fuel supply) is sufficient for the intended operation

Confirm that the flight termination system of the UAS and its triggering system are compliant

Check the correct functioning of the C2 link

Activate the geo-awareness system and upload the information to it (if geo-awareness system is available)

Set the height, speed and distance limitation systems (if available)

Set the direct remote identification system (if fitted)

‘Pre-take-off verbal briefing’ given by the examinee stating the basic actions to be taken in the event of an aircraft emergency or if a mid-air collision hazard arises during the flight

In Flight Procedures

Maintain an effective look-out and keep the aircraft within Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) at all times

Maintain situational awareness, particularly with respect to:

o Location of the aircraft in relation to other airspace users

o Meteorological conditions

o Obstacles, terrain and uninvolved persons

Perform accurate and controlled flight manoeuvres at representative heights and distances (including flight in manual/ non-GNSS assisted mode or equivalent where fitted)

Take-off procedures;

Perform after take-off/functionality checks

Hover in position (Multirotor/ Helicopter/ VTOL FW only)

Transition from hover into forward flight (Multirotor/ Helicopter/ VTOL FW)

o Climb and descent to/ from level flight

o Turns in level flight

o Speed control in level flight

o Transition from forward flight into hover (Multirotor/ Helicopter/ VTOL FW)

o Precision manoeuvring in hover (Multirotor/ Helicopter/ VTOL FW)

o Approach and landing

o Actions following failure of a motor/ propulsion system (according to aircraft type)3

o Evasive action (manoeuvres) to avoid collisions

o Real-time monitoring of aircraft status and endurance limitations

Flight under abnormal conditions

Display continuous awareness of, and consideration for, the safety of third parties on the ground

Deal correctly with a partial or complete loss of power to the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) while ensuring the safety of any third parties

Manage the UA’s flight path in abnormal situations

Manage a situation when the UAS positioning equipment is impaired

Manage a situation where an uninvolved person enters the zone of operation and take appropriate measures to maintain safety

React to, and take the appropriate corrective action for, a situation where the UA is likely to exceed the limits of the intended operating area

Take the appropriate action for a situation when another aircraft approaches the operating area and is in confliction with the UA

Demonstrate the recovery method following a deliberate (simulated) loss of the C2 Link. In place of any rotary wing ‘return to home’ function, fixed-wing aircraft may demonstrate an equivalent procedure that results in a suitably automated, low-impact descent and landing. When demonstrating this function, the student must also demonstrate how collisions will be avoided

Post-flight Actions

Shut down and secure/make safe the UAS

Post-flight inspection and recording of any relevant data relating to the general condition of the UAS (its systems, components and power-sources), controller functionality and crew fatigue

Conduct a debriefing of the operation with all relevant personnel

Identify situations where an occurrence report may be necessary and complete the required occurrence report