Drone Training to suit you

Q: Do I need training to fly commercially?

No, not necessarily. Under the new drone rules, training depends on the type of drone you have and where you plan to use it; it is not dependent on whether or not the operation is commercial. For example, you can fly a sub 250g drone, like the DJI Mini Series, in the A1 Subcategory (flights over people) of the Open Category, without needing to conduct drone training - regardless of whether it is a commercial or recreational flight. If, however, a pilot wants to fly by the rules of the A2 Subcategory (flights close to people), they will need an A2 CofC - no matter if the flight is commercial or recreational. A flight in the A3 subcategory (flights far from people), does not require the operator to have completed drone training. But for operators wanting to fly in the Specific Category - aimed at enterprise drone missions - then GVC drone training is required, which allows pilots to apply for an Operational Authorisation (similar in scope to the old PfCO).

Q: How much does drone training cost?

The cost of drone training depends on the course you take. Are we the cheapest drone training provider? No. But, by training with us, you are buying into the comprehensive and integrated heliguy™ ecosystem, which includes additional training opportunities and lifetime support, as well as access to a vast stock inventory for dynamic drone supply, in-house repairs, and free consultancy.

Q: Is it hard to learn to fly a drone?

These days, drones are so sophisticated and safe, that flying one isn't necessarily difficult. That said, one person's easy, is another person's difficult. It also depends how you plan to use the drone: The basic controls can be mastered relatively quickly, but learning how to operate around complex infrastructure - for instance - takes a lot more practice. With this in mind, our instructors are here to guide you through the process and make you a safe, confident and legal drone pilot. We've got plenty of experience of turning novice pilots into fully-fledged commercial operators.

Q: Do I need any experience with drones before attending the courses?

No. Whether you have experience or not - our drone training school helps take you from novice to commercial pilot, regardless of any existing drone experience. Our curriculum is well-paced to ensure that those more recently entering the industry can get up to speed, while experienced pilots will still be getting value at every stage.

Q: What are the benefits of conducting online drone training?

Completing your drone training online through the heliguy™ Learning Management System has numerous benefits. These include: Accessible, on-demand content. Blended learning solutions, making your training a fun and engaging experience. Learn at your own pace and re-watch content to reinforce learning. Live interactive chat with heliguy™ instructors. Training Hub for A2 CofC, GVC, and other courses. Sit your theory test online - offering a more relaxed environment. Wide scope to book your theory test. Bonus material, industry updates and product discounts. Access interactive Drone Safety Map, powered by Altitude Angel's GuardianUTM, for advanced flight planning and safety.

A range of delivery options

Tailored training for your operational requirements

Get your permission to fly with heliguy™ drone training.

Online Training
Utilise our online training platform to learn on-demand and at your own pace, then sit your theory exam remotely. Got a question during your prep? Access live support from heliguy’s in-house team of 10 instructors.
In-person Training
Closed-course, in-person tuition at a venue of your choice. It’s just your organisation and our experienced instructors for a tailored and personalised training experience, including practical flying.
Hardware Specific Training
Hone your skills on the hardware you plan to deploy during live, real-world operations and become a master of your craft. We don’t just produce CAA-certified pilots, we forge mission-ready drone operators.

Progressive Training Pathways

Start and scale your drone programme and accelerate career development in the UAS sector.

Start A Drone Business

heliguy™ streamlines training to help individuals and small businesses adopt drones to kick start their drone venture - legally, safely and effectively - and build the foundations for future expansion.

Large Business and .gov Organisations

Are you a large organisation seeking to train multiple pilots and utilise a wide drone ecosystem? heliguy™ provides instructor-led, industry-specific training exclusively for your team to standardise learning and bridge competency gaps.

Emergency Services

heliguy™ delivers dedicated emergency services training, equipping public safety personnel with the tools to deploy drones to save lives, obtain mission-critical situational awareness, and protect the communities they serve.

Consultancy Services And Bespoke Training

Strategic advice and tuition to support drone capability development and resilience

Accredited drone training with the Ofqual-regulated TQUK Level 5 Award for UAS Operations Managers.

Regulated Training

Ofqual-regulated training courses, accredited by TQUK, set a benchmark for operational excellence. Bolster your CV with the Level 4 GVC Award, or adopt best practices to lead an effective drone programme with the Level 5 Award for Operations Managers.

Survey Training

Empower your drone surveying workflows with dedicated LiDAR and photogrammetry training, delivered online or in-person by our in-house team of surveyors and data-processing specialists.

Drone Assistive Programme

This hybrid training model, with lifetime support, expands pilot proficiency for conducting operations in complex environments. Receive assisted on-site training on real-world assets to bridge competency gaps for safe and effective data collection.

Regulatory Services And Bespoke OSCs

Unlock your operational potential with the heliguy™ OSC consultancy. Our regulatory specialists help you secure permissions for operations such as complex congested area assignments, BVLOS deployments, automated Dock missions, and heavy-lift flights.

Meet Our In-House Training Specialists

Learn from our experienced instructors - including ex-Armed Forces personnel - who have taught 7,000+ candidates

Training Instructor

Andrew Peacock

Andrew is a GVC and A2 CofC certified drone pilot. Before joining heliguy™, he worked in education and training in the public sector for eight years. He also has 15+ years of experience of teaching and coaching Martial Arts in multiple countries across the world. Andrew's diverse background in education, martial arts, and health and fitness provides a unique perspective to the heliguy™ training team.

Drone Instructor

Bradley McLeary

Bradley served as a Police Officer for three years, including one as a Police Tutor, gaining teaching experience he later applied in the drone industry. Certified with A2 CofC and GVC, and with two years as a Drone Instructor, he is qualified to fly in both Open and Specific categories under EASA regulations. Bradley also worked as a Flight Operator in the USA, and gained valuable experience conducting BVLOS flights.

Training Administrator

Faye Ashton

Faye served in the Royal Navy for 7 and a half years, where she was employed in the warfare branch communications sector and reached the rank of Leading Hand. She has 10+ years of logisitcs experience, including former heliguy™ warehouse manager, and was previously a HMRC online technical advisor. Her career has helped her develop public interaction skills and experience different cultures.

Accountable Manager

Mark Blaney

Mark has worked with drones since 2008, logging 2,000+ flying hours with fixed-wing and multirotor aircraft. He is a former British Army UAV Operator, having deployed the Hermes 450 tactical fixed-wing in Afghanistan. He also assisted MAT Kosovo to use drones for mine clearance, and worked on drone programmes with government departments in Hong Kong.

Head of Training

Jack Sharp

Jack has seven years of drone pilot experience, logging 400+ flight hours. A talented drone photographer, his work has been featured by the BBC, Forestry England and Mountain Warehouse. Jack has a vast training background, with previous roles in the NHS forensic section and at HM Prison Service.

Business Regulatory Training Specialist

Graham Hegarty

Graham amassed 10,000 flying hours during an 18-year career in manned aviation, including captaining the world's largest twinjet, the Boeing 777. He is also a former member of the British Army Reserve. Graham utilises his core airmanship skills to provide heliguy™ clients with drone law support and works with organisations to develop safety cases for advanced UAS missions, including BVLOS.

Chief Instructor / Head of Safety

Tom Anderson

Tom is an experienced drone pilot, with 400+ flying hours to his name. He has been part of the heliguy™ training team since 2016 and has a passion for building and flying fixed-wing and FPV aircraft. Tom has previously been a DSA Approved Driving Instructor and a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, and became one of the first in the UK to obtain the Mountain Training Association Development Coach Award.