Certificate of Competency: Practical

An achievement scheme to build your RC flying know-how

FPV UK’s ‘Certificate of Competency: Practical’ is a hands-on achievement scheme for members who want to improve their flying skills. It is entirely optional, hence most pilots do it for their own pleasure and sense of accomplishment.

This scheme certifies that members can prepare and fly their aircraft through a number of prescribed manoeuvres, in a safe and competent manner. To find out what type of exercises you will be evaluated on, check this examiner’s sheet sample.

How do I get my Certificate of Competency (CofC)?

First, you have to be an FPV UK member. Second, you need to pass the theory test called ‘Certificate of Competency: Drone Law’. This is a 40-question online test comprising the basics of drone and model aircraft flying.

Once you join the association and pass the ‘CofC: Drone Law’ test, there are two ways of getting your ‘CofC: Practical’ test done:

You can either study by yourself (with or without the help of a mentor) and, once ready, take the practical test with an approved FPV UK examiner. We can help you find the right mentor for you, wherever you are in the UK.

Alternatively, you can complete an FPV UK Certificate of Competency course with an approved training provider, which includes a practical flight skills test.

FPV UK will never charge you for doing  your competency test. However, your examiner may bill you for their time and expenses. We strongly advise you to agree on these details with them in advance.

What are the benefits of having a CofC?

It is a great way to improve your confidence, and it has many other benefits. For instance, CofC holders pay a lower excess in the event of an insurance claim (terms and conditions apply, please see the FPV UK handbook).

Also, once it is completed, your membership certificate and membership card will show the achievement. This is a very useful qualification to have. For instance, if you are out there flying and unfortunately get into trouble (eg. you crash your drone on someone else’s car). This certificate shows that you are a proficient pilot, and that FPV UK has your back. 

How do I become a mentor or examiner?

If you know your stuff and would like to give something back to the community, please become an FPV UK mentor or become an FPV UK examiner. 

For those who represent a training provider, and you would like to offer this training course, please get in touch here.

For further information and advice please contact us at [email protected]

Regional FPV UK Mentors and Examiners

Maritime Filming

In addition to his amazing maritime drone filming work on the south coast, Maritime Filming’s lead pilot Alex teaches the FPV UK Certificate of Competency: Practical in the Southampton/ Winchester area.

Alex may also be able to travel to you by request.

Area: Southampton/ Winchester
Service: Mentor, Training Provider, Examiner

Paul Robertson

Paul has been flying model aircraft for 39 years including drones for 8 years.  He currently flies a DJI Mavic Air 2, a DJI Mavic Mini 2 and Blade helicopters.

Paul is available as an FPV UK Certificate of Competency: Practical examiner and/ or mentor in the Bournemouth area.

Area: Bournemouth
Service: Mentor, Examiner

Bruce Pulman

Bruce enjoys flying a Bugs5W and DJI Mavic Air drone for fun, and has flown experimental drones that he could tell you about, but then he’d have to kill you!

He is happy to help those preparing for their FPV UK Certificate of Comptency: Practical as a mentor in the Southampton area.

Area: Southampton
Service: Mentor

Ben AKA WingyThingsFPV

Ben has tons of experience of flying and building quadcopters and FPV wings. He spends most weekends flying with a group in the Chichester area and is happy to mentor members who are training towards their FPV UK Certificate of Competency: Practical.

Area: Chichester
Service: Mentor

John Hudson

John has been a qualified full size flying instructor and examiner for more than 30 years. He is also an Air Traffic Control Officer (ATCO) and has run CAA courses on radiotelephone aviation law, navigation etc.

John has been flying drones for the last twelve years and is keen to help keep the hobby alive as an examiner for the FPV UK Certificate of Competency: Practical. John is happy to travel to you within Sussex (with reimbursement of his fuel costs).

Area: Worthing/ Sussex
Service: Examiner

Sheldon Holy

Sheldon has been building and flying model aircraft since he was a boy. Including turboprops! He also flies full sized aeroplanes.

Sheldon is available as an examiner for your Certificate of Competency: Practical in the Brighton area.

Area: Brighton
Service: Examiner

James Phipps

James is available as a mentor and examiner for those taking their FPV UK Certificate of Competency: Practical in the South London area.

Area: South London
Service: Mentor, Examiner

Steve Moores

Steve has flown all-manner of RC aircraft and vehicles since the age of 8 and has been a club examiner and instructor. Steve has built and flown a multitude of quad and hexacopters over the last 7-8 years and currently has a Pixhawk powered Tarot 680 pro Hex, around five 450 size Quads all running APM, a selection of toy quads and a DJI Mavic Pro that he’s flown for the last two years.

Steve can travel around the Kent and Medway area and may be able to offer an area in which to fly for tests if required.

Area: Kent and Medway
Service: Examiner

Chris Baker

Chris has been flying all types of radio control model aircraft for most of his life. He switched to drone flying in 2014.

Chris owns numerous DJI drones which he flies for his passion of photography. He has plenty of experience teaching aircraft safety and teaching people to fly a variety of drones one to one.

Chris is available to mentor or examine those doing their FPV UK Certificate of Competency: Practical in East Anglia and is prepared to travel with reimbursement of fuel costs.

Area: East Anglia
Service: Mentor, Examiner

Brian Barnes

Brian has been building and flying RC models for over fifty years, including building and flying quadcopters and octocopters for the last seven years.

He has previously been a club instructor, and club chairman and built and flew several large scale aircraft demonstrations at large displays up and down the county (including a 1/4 scale Lancaster)!

He is now available as a mentor and examiner for the FPV UK Certificate of Competency: Practical course in the West Wales area.

Area: Pembrokeshire, West Wales
Service: Mentor, Examiner

Neil Jones AKA NJ Tech on Youtube and co-host on LDO

Neil has been flying RC since the age of eight! Predominantly helicopters originally and by the age of 14 he was flying 3D and teaching via buddy-box at his local club! He then got into multi-rotors about seven years ago. On his Youtube channel ‘NJ Tech’, Neil has put out countless technical videos helping pilots understand all things FPV multirotor.

He has helped many people get in the air, from technical solutions to practical technique. And it’s probably no surprise that Neil is very patient with those struggling to learn. Neil is available as a mentor or examiner for those taking their FPV UK Certificate of Competency: Practical in the Bedford area.

Area: Bedford
Service: Mentor, Examiner

Neil Johnson

Neil is based in South Wales and is happy to sign you off for your FPV UK Certificate of Competency: Practical examination.

Area: Ammanford, South Wales
Service: Examiner

Mark Naylor

Mark is an A2 CofC holder and is keen to help other members as a mentor/ examiner for the FPV UK Certificate of Competency: Practical.

He is available in the Leicesthire area.

Area: Leicestershire
Service: Mentor, Examiner

Mike Dalton

Mike is available to help members achieve their FPV UK Certificate of Competency: Practical as either a mentor or examiner in the Derbyshire area.

Area: Derbyshire
Service: Mentor, Examiner

Geraint Williams

Geraint is based in North Wales and is happy to sign you off for your FPV UK Certificate of Competency: Practical examination.

Area: Anglesey, North Wales
Service: Examiner

John Everall

John describes himself as ‘a helpful sort of bloke from the Black Country’ – which we love!

An NVQ asessor for 21 years, from Level 2 upto Degree Level students, John also has his A2 CofC and GVC qualifications.  He mostly flies DJI aircraft (from Mini 2 to Inspire 1 Pro) although he also has a GoPro Karma which still works perfectly!

John is available to help members with their FPV UK Certificate of Competency: Practical in the Walsall, West Midlands area.

Area: Walsall, West Midlands
Service: Mentor, Examiner

Gorilla Drones

Gorilla Drones LTD is a commercial drone operator providing exceptional quality photography and film work, utilising both ‘traditional’ drones, as well as FPV cine drones. They also provide asset inspections, specialist data capture and post production. The company has an Operational Authorisation from the CAA to enable flight operations in the Specific category, additionally to the Open category.

Neil Rutter, the owner of Gorilla Drones, is willing to assist members with their FPV UK Certificate of Competency: Practical in the West Midlands area as a mentor and/ or examiner.

Area: Birmingham, West Midlands
Service: Mentor, Examiner

Carl Flynn

Carl is a big believer in encouraging members to improve their UAV piloting standards and is willing to assist members in the North Lincolnshire area as a mentor and FPV UK CofC: Practical examiner.

Carl holds a PfCO and A2 CofC.

Area: North Lincolnshire
Service: Mentor, Examiner

Matthew Mckay

Matthew is a displaced airline pilot who has developed a keen interest in drones and operates them commercially. From building small Cinewhops to flying a Mavic 2 Pro for inspection. Matthew currently has a Mavic Mini 2, a Mavic 2 Pro, an Iflight Bumblebee and DJI’s new FPV Drone.

Matthew also works at Halo Drones as an Instructor/Examiner for the GVC/OA and he conducts training and examinations at a farm in Lymm near Warrington – as well as conducting online Remote Theory Tests and Reviewing Ops Manuals.

Matthew has access to a suitable field for training and examinations for the FPV UK Certificate of Competency: Practical

Area: Lymm, Near Warrington
Service: Mentor, Examiner

Chris Fielding

Chris has been flying DJI drones since 2016 in the UK and Europe as a keen hobbyist and photographer.

He is available for mentoring those new to drone flying and more experienced pilots in preparing for and taking their Certificate of Competency:Practical. Chris is experienced in training and mentoring in a number of different disciplines and is able to deliver this with a patient, encouraging and inspiring approach.

Chris is willing to travel in the Yorkshire and Humberside areas with reimbursement of travel costs.

Area: Yorkshire, Humberside
Service: Mentor, Examiner

Mark Dale

Mark began building and flying model aircraft when he was a boy. He was co-founder and Director of FirstPersonView.co.uk and Drone Doctor between 2008 and 2018. During this time Mark built, flew and repaired more FPV, drones and radio control aircraft than you can shake a stick at!

He is available for training, mentoring and examinations for the FPV UK Certificate of Competency: Practical in York.

Area: York
Service: Mentor, Examiner

Steve Farrow

Steve is based in Redcar and is available as a mentor or examiner for your FPV UK Certificate of Competency: Practical.

Area: Redcar, Cleveland
Service: Mentor, Examiner

Jamie Allen

Jamie has been teaching people to fly drones for five years. He delivered PfCO courses for UAVHUB (when it was called ICARUS), and Consortiq and carried out their flight training and assessments.

Currently he runs the new legislation courses for Consortiq and carries out flight assessments for them, UAVHUB and AV-8. He also teaches flight skills under the auspices of Consortiq.

Jamie is based in Glasgow and predominantly flies DJI aircraft. He has also recently started flying freestyle quads and Cinewhoops using FPV.

In addition, Jamie runs his own business as a drone trainer, photographer/ videographer and has flown for both Channel 5 and the BBC. He mainly focuses
on video work for businesses in his area.

Jamie is available as a mentor and examiner for the FPV UK Certificate of Competency: Practical in the Glasgow area.

Area: Glasgow
Service: Mentor, Examiner

Richard Tait

Richard is based in Glasgow and is available as a mentor or examiner for your FPV UK Certificate of Competency: Practical.

Area: Glasgow
Service: Mentor, Examiner

Graham Lawrie

Graham has been building and flying mostly electric helicopters for ten years, from Align 600 down to 150 size. He has also been building and flying drones and FPV quads for the last 5 years. Graham also flies his DJI Phantom & Mavic Pro for photography and filming.

Graham is a moderator on RC-hangout.com, a website set up for people all over the world to help like minded enthusiasts with all things RC related from boats, cars, helicopters and drones. And he’s available to act as an examiner for your FPV UK Certificate of Competency: Practical exam in the Fort William and Glencoe area of Scotland.

Area: Kinlochleven, Near Fort William and Glencoe
Service: Examiner

John Dollemore-Hunt

John is a retired Airline Captain with extensive experience of flight instruction across the board.

John has a passion for anything that flies and that includes unmanned aircraft. He has 35 acres of open land available for training and exam flights near Lybster, Caithness in the North of Scotland and can offer mentoring, training, and examinations for your FPV UK Certificate of Competency: Practical.

Area: Lybster, Caithness, Scotland
Service: Mentor, Examiner

Robert Dobbin

Robert is a drone pilot instructor in Northern Ireland with a fully insured twenty acre site on the outskirts of Belfast.

He is available as a mentor and examiner for members taking their FPV UK Certificate of Competency: Practical in Northern Ireland.

Area: Belfast. Northern Ireland
Service: Mentor, Examiner

Alan Kirk

Alan is available as a mentor and/ or examiner for members taking their FPV UK Certificate of Comptency: Practical in Northern Ireland.

Area: Antrim, Northern Ireland
Service: Mentor, Examiner

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