Specific Category Drone Operations

The Specific Category is designed for drone operations which carry a greater level of risk than the Open Category.

It is designed for larger drones - providing greater permissions to operate in built-up areas and conduct more complex or high-risk flights.

Generally speaking, the Specific Category is a progressive step for drone operators who want to carry out anything other than basic flying.

Pilots can conduct recreational or commercial applications within the Specific Category.

Pilots require an Operational Authorisation from the CAA to fly in the Specific Category.

This authorisation is based on a safety risk assessment submitted by the drone operator - setting out the conditions and limitations of the operation.

There are two types of Operational Authorisation:

• PDRA01 - the most common type of Operational Authorisation.

• UK SORA (Specific Operations Risk Assessment) - which replaced OSC methodology on April 23, 2025. UK SORA is for operations that exceed the scope of PDRA01.

Before applying to the UK CAA for an Operational Authorisation, pilots must complete the General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC) Course. This can be completed with heliguy™.

The General Visual Line of Sight (GVC) Certificate is the recognised pilot competency for drone operations in the Specific Category.

The GVC consists of:

• Theory learning followed by an exam with 40 multiple-choice questions - covering topics such as air law, operating principles and responsibilities, and airmanship.

• Practical flying test - covering pre-flight actions, in-flight procedures, and post-flight actions.

• Creation of an Operations Manual. This contains information such as insurance, pilot responsibilities, flight operation details, and drone description, among other things.

As a UK CAA-approved RAE (Recognised Assessment Entity), heliguy™ delivers GVC training.

Benefits of learning with heliguy™ include:

• Online learning through the heliguy™ Learning Management System, for a remote and on-demand learning experience. Access live support from heliguy™ in-house instructors from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

• Sit the exam remotely via web cam.

• Learn from an experienced and trusted training provider, who has 10 full-time instructors and has delivered training to 7,000+ candidates.

• Closed courses for organisations that have a requirement to train multiple pilots. These courses offer instructor-led, industry-specific training.

The PDRA01 - or Pre-defined Risk Assessment - is the most common type of Operational Authorisation for the Specific Category.

A PDRA01 costs £500 per year - with no VAT to pay - and must be renewed annually.

What Does The PDRA01 Allow?

Key stipulations of the PDRA01 include:

• Fly drones between 250g and 25kg within 150m of residential, commercial, industrial, and recreational areas.

• Fly within visual line of sight (VLOS) and stay within 120 metres (400ft) from the earth's surface.

• Obstacles taller than 105m can be overflown by 15m, as long as the person in charge of the obstacle has requested this, and the drone must not be flown more than 50m horizontally from the obstruction.

• Flights must not be closer than 50m of uninvolved people. This separation distance can be reduced to 30m during take-off and landing.

  

  

• Keep overflights of uninvolved people to a minimum. Overflight of crowds of people is not permitted.

• Operate 24 hours a day, but night operations must be conducted according to the Operations Manual.

• No flights within flight restriction zones (FRZ) of airports.

• No dropping of articles and no carrying of dangerous goods.

If a PDRA01 does not cover the scope of an intended operation, then an Operational Authorisation will be required through UK SORA (Specific Operations Risk Assessment).

UK SORA has replaced the previous OSC (Operating Safety Case) methodology as a way of applying for an Operational Authorisation.

Typical operations that require a UK SORA-based Operational Authorisation include:

• Dropping items from your drone.

• Flying beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS).

• Flying close to crowds.

• Flying close to people with an aircraft that weighs 500g or more.

• Flying at increased heights above ground level.

• Swarm operations.

• Flying more than 120m (400ft) above ground level

heliguy™ has an in-house consultancy, helping pilots prepare and submit a SORA application for CAA approval.

The consultancy - led by our in-house regulatory specialists - has helped clients achieve OSC permissions such as single pilot operations to 1,000ft altitude; EVLOS operations to a maximum range of 3,000m; and heavy lift permissions for up to 101kg.

For operators with a current valid OSC-based Operational Authorisation, it will remain valid until its expiry date. In most cases, once this expires, operators will need to make a new application under the UK SORA-based Application Service.

If you fly a drone or model aircraft for recreation, sport, or as a hobby, you can choose whether or not to have insurance.

If you fly for any other reason, you must have third-party insurance.

For example, you must have insurance if you:

• get paid to take pictures or record video;

• get paid to carry out surveys;

• provide delivery services;

• use your drone for work, such as on a farm, park, or estate;

• use a drone in an educational setting, such as a school, college, or university.

UAS Operators are responsible for ensuring they have appropriate insurance. This is a condition of every Operational Authorisation issued by the CAA.