A2 CofC vs GVC and RPC-L1
The A2 CofC, the GVC and the RPC-L1 are different qualifications for different kinds of flying. Choosing the right one comes down to which category your operation falls into. This guide explains the distinction so you do not train for the wrong certificate.
Reviewed 10 July 2026 · UK guidance
01
Two categories, two kinds of qualification
The A2 Certificate of Competency belongs to the Open category. It is a lighter qualification that lets you fly certain drones closer to uninvolved people than the default Open-category rules allow, without needing an operational authorisation.
The GVC and the RPC-L1 belong to the Specific category. They are the competence certificates you need when your operation goes beyond the Open category — including flying under a PDRA01 operational authorisation.
02
When the A2 CofC is enough
If your flying stays inside the Open category — the right class of aircraft, flown at the distances the subcategory allows — the A2 CofC may be all you need, and you would not need PDRA01 at all. It is obtained through a theory examination and a self-declared practical assessment.
03
When you need a GVC or RPC-L1
Once your operation needs an operational authorisation — for example, flying closer to people or in ways the Open category does not permit — you are in the Specific category, and you need a Specific-category competence certificate. For PDRA01 that means a GVC or an RPC-L1, obtained through a CAA-recognised Assessment Entity.
The remote pilot qualifications guide covers those two certificates in detail, including the fact that the GVC will stop being issued on 31 December 2027.
04
How to tell which you need
The deciding question is which category your intended operation falls into, and that depends on the aircraft, the distances involved and how you fly. The free route checker walks through those questions and shows whether your operation looks like Open-category flying or needs a Specific-category route such as PDRA01.
Practical answers
Frequently asked questions
Can I use an A2 CofC for PDRA01?
No. The A2 CofC is an Open-category qualification. PDRA01 is a Specific-category authorisation and needs a GVC or RPC-L1.
Is the A2 CofC easier than a GVC?
It is a lighter qualification aimed at certain Open-category flying. The GVC and RPC-L1 are Specific-category certificates for operations that need an authorisation.
Which qualification do I need?
It depends on the category your operation falls into. If you can stay in the Open category, an A2 CofC may be enough; if you need an authorisation such as PDRA01, you need a GVC or RPC-L1.
Build your draft pack
Start with the free route check.
Answer a short set of questions, see route warnings, then generate editable PDRA01-style documentation for review. No authorisation or compliance outcome is guaranteed.
Check the proposed operation →