Looking around the net for GVC training I came across an offer of free mock exams with RUAS. You need to order the course from their training page:
Once you have registered you will get welcome emails and the opportunity to set your password. The access to the mock exam is available once you have logged in.
Out of curiosity I did the exam without any preparation or specialist knowledge. It’s a standard multiple guess, similar to the flyer id exam or the A2 CofC. 44 questions with 90 minutes to complete and a 75% minimum to pass.
I am restricted at the moment not just by aviation law but also by mobility - not allowed to drive until at least February so only the radius of operation allowed by an electric boke and trailer.
That is no great problem at the moment, the areras of the island that I can visit offer plenty of open space and some fine landscape. I’m looking to the future when I may wish to fly in urban areas or closer to people than currently allowed.
That was my prompt to investigate GVC and being a cheapskate I added FREE to the search terms when looking for mock exams. As regards the costs of training they seem to vary between £500 and 1000 with UAV academy toward the lower end when our members discount is applied.
Unfortunately lack of mobility also means I am unable to work this December (I have already had to turn down two offers of gigs, worth £3000) so funds are scarce.
Look out for a sale of old Inspires, S900s, components and general tat …
I did mine with UAVHub Rob, absolutely brilliant, take the mock test as many times as you like. Regarding the cost, don’t forget to factor in the CAA cost for the OA.
I tried the test out of curioisity, just to see what was involved. It’s the practical that will be hard for me. My choice of trainer also involves distance to travel. UAVHub are a possibility, their nearest centre is Basingstoke, around an hour’s drive away (on a good day!)
Grey cells all seem to be firing, John. Is there a guide anywhere as to what is expected on the practical? I believe a lot of it is flown in ATTI mode.
I think I’ve still got my practical instructions somewhere mate, I’ll have a look. The flying involved flying at a distance (VLOS), normal operational moves, (circles, squares, figure 8s etc), and emergency procedure. A lot was taken up by safety procedures, battery condition, changing battery when needed, checking firmware etc. A couple of simple questions and that’s it.
The main thing is, don’t stress. I had everything go wrong when I did mine, firmware update between the time I left home to the time I got there, buzzard flying around, heron from the lake taking interest in the drone, geese coming into land, police helicopter buzzing about, small planes being diverted across the flying field, you name it, I had it!
You don’t need to fly in ATTI mode, if the drone hasn’t got ATTI, you can’t use it (even the BMFA changed their rules to allow GPS in their tests). I used a Mavic 2 in normal mode for mine. Do your homework, get some practice in, get the Risk Assessment done, visit the test site before hand to get the RA finished, everything will be OK. Get Maddy to sit by the examiner looking cute, you’ve got it sorted!
I’ve found the paperwork, including the test procedures. I’ll have a look on the old laptop, see if I’ve got them electronically. If I have, I’ll send them over.
Robert
I did my practical at Basingstoke with UAVHub. TBH the UAVHub course work and pre test and pre practical help and support are absolutely top of the line. I’d recommend them just for the customer support value they provide.
The Basingstoke site is nice and the examiner is friendly and helpful. TBH he acted more as a colleague and spotter than an examiner. They want you to pass not fail and help and support is the watchword with UAVhub. Don’t underestimate the value of going with a training organisation that puts the emphasis on customer support not just pre exam and test but post exam and test as well. As an example the CAA had an issue with some red tape in my application because the part of the CAA that changes the regs hadn’t correctly briefed the department issuing the OAs. UAVHub verified that the CAA had made an error and said they would take up the issue with the CAA on my behalf. It all got sorted within a few days. UAVHub have your back.
A final tip for you. You are an experienced flyer so don’t even worry about flying in the practical. Take a non Atti drone and you do the test in GPS. Just make sure you go overboard on the paperwork planning and risk assessment. It’s the quality of the paperwork that makes a big difference to your pass grade - not the flying. Seriously! Best of luck mate👌
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