Drone Training
courses in the UK
If you strive to be first,
If you love being an early adopter,
If you want to stand out from the crowd,
If you take pride in what you do,
If you expect recognition when you nail it,
If you are a consummate professional;
We are just like you and we want you on our team.
FLYBY | DRONE PIONEERS
Welcome to Flyby PfCO Drone Training UK
Why are we looking for people like you?
Because we know you will contribute positively to our industry in the future. You’ll be exciting and innovative to work with. We’re on a mission to make the drone industry great, and we want you to be part of it.
We are pioneers at a pivotal moment in history. In training, in technology and innovative capability, that will change the way the world views and uses drones. We want a drone industry we can be proud of and we need like-minded individuals like you to be an integral part of our journey.
Book on to the ultimate PfCO course today and become a Flyby Graduate, the drone pilots of the future >
More than a drone training course
“We built our training system, not because we wanted to be a training provider,
but because we want everyone to fly safely.
We built our courseware the way we did
because we want nobody to forget our message.
We train our instructors the way we do
because without that we can’t be better tomorrow than we are today.
We fly the meticulous way we do
because we would never sell out our principles.”
JON PARKER | FOUNDER | FLYBY
Distinguished Drone Pilot Training
When you book on to a Flyby Drone Training Course, you will attend a state of the art groundschool and we will welcome you in to the Flyby culture. Some of the World’s best pilot instructors will deliver our engaging course in a unique, innovative style that helps you to retain the knowledge you need to operate safely and professionally and ultimately excel as a drone pilot. Our wealth of knowledge, charisma and fantastic anecdotes will keep you thoroughly entertained! Every one of our graduates is blown away by the knowledge and confidence they gain on the course.
Think like a pilot
Flyby’s course will not only gain you your Permission for Commercial Operation (PfCO) but will go above and beyond and teach you to think like a pilot. Fast! This is what will give you the edge against your competitors and be your recipe for success. Your clients will feel instantly at ease knowing you have our IDPS (International Drone Pilot Standard) which will be recognised as the mark of a top pro pilot. So if you take pride in your work and want to stand out from the crowd, join our elite team of graduates and be a drone pioneer!
Powerful Drone Pilot Support
Your investment in your future also includes the ultimate support package. Flyby will give you invaluable support as you progress in your career. We will be on hand to answer any queries, help with the yearly PfCO renewal process, keep you updated on changes in legislation and put you in touch with a powerful network that will help you prosper. We stand at the forefront of the drone industry and we want like-minded individuals like you to stand alongside us, bringing quality to our drone industry. Together, we believe we can create a drone industry culture to be proud of.
Drone Experts
We are passionate about the drone industry and it’s capabilities. The industry needs us to set the bar high and work with the next generation of drone pilots, making us integral to the success of the industry.
We’re fortunate to have the World’s top experts on the Flyby team. We have aircraft designers, drone builders and consultants, training system designers, military helicopter pilots and fighter pilots. We are an innovative, forward thinking company that will lead the way for drone capabilities to be utilised by skilled pilots, making the world a safer, more efficient and technologically advanced place.
We are the go to experts for the media, including Sky News and the BBC and we are involved at ground level in drone legislation and industry standards. You could not be in better company!
Meet our instructors and see their extraordinary credentials >
The IDPS Drone Training Course to qualify for your PfCO
Flyby’s course ticks all the boxes...
We’re are a CAA approved drone training school focussed on you and your future
Flyby have been awarded the CAA’s National Qualified Entity status
Qualify for your PfCO (Permission for Commercial Operations)
We’ll get you qualified as quickly as possible
A great value course with no hidden costs
Training locations across the UK
Pre-course study guide
Elite instructors
Retain knowledge for your future success
Multiple choice theory test
Operations Manual guidance
Flight skills test
Powerful graduate support
Insurance for the duration of the course included
Access to our Safety Management System (SMS)
DJI Distributors
0% Finance available
Flexible course options
Drone Training Course Structure
PART 1 - Groundschool
The first part of the course consists of 2 days of groundschool to learn the theory. You will cover maps and charts, airlaw, airspace, drone components and systems, risk management, operating processes and planning, meteorology and much more. Unique to our course is the life lesson of how to think like a pilot, react fast and become the best drone pilot you can be.
Day 2 culminates in a multiple choice theory test.
PART 2 - Operations Manual
We will guide you through completing your operations manual. This consists of details about how you intend to operate, your business, procedures and your drone. You will be able to complete this confidently with our help, it will be bespoke to you, well written and you will understand everything in it after completing our groundschool.
PART 3 - Flight Test
Your Flight Skills Test will demonstrate your ability to operate your drone confidently and safely. It will test the procedures set out in your operations manual.
The examiner will approach your Flight Skills Test with professionalism but will be encouraging and approachable throughout. We see this as a training opportunity as well as a test.
You will be advised of the result after the test and your examiner will offer any advice he feels would further improve your flying.
Part 4 - Apply for your PfCO
Flyby will guide you through the process of applying for your PfCO. You will collate all the necessary documents and test results, check your operations manual is perfect and then apply to the CAA for your PfCO yourself. There is a processing charge payable direct to the CAA which is currently £247. Please note this is subject to change. Once you receive your certificate, you can then work commercially as a drone pilot in our exciting industry.
How much will it cost?
Our prices reflect the quality you can expect from a World class, 5-star service. We believe the investment in your future as a drone pilot is one of the most important decisions to make. If you'd like to talk to us about the industry and our values, we'd be happy to call you at a time to suit you. Just use our callback request tab at the side of the page.
You can pay upfront via our secure online payment option, or over the phone. We also offer finance options so you can spread the cost of your training.
“The information given was clear and easy to learn. More importantly it was relevant to Drones and interesting. The location of the course was impressive and gave a welcoming atmosphere. It really felt like I was joining the flying fraternity.”
“What a journey! Having booked Flyby Technology for my drone training I can now safely say it was 100% the right choice. From the very first phone call right through to passing my flight skill test (FST) yesterday it was fantastic. The course material, level of delivery and quality were excellent. Both Jon & Graham were a pleasure to train with and were able to teach a very technical subject in a way that you can understand quickly and efficiently. The course I chose was the 5 day fast track, which as it suggests is a course designed to get you through both ground school the FST and submission to the CAA for the PfCO. As long as you accept that this course requires you to work hard then you will be fine and will have loads of fun!”
“This is the best money I have spent. This course is the one to pick. The groundschool was well presented and the team helped me write an Operations Manual I could only have dreamed of. I even enjoyed the time spent with the examiner on the Flight Skills Test. Incredible course, by incredible people.”
Succeed as a drone pilot with us!
You can achieve so much in such a short amount of time to give you the confidence to operate your drone safely and within the rules. Ultimately we can help you to gain your Permission for Commercial Operations (PfCO) and complete your Initial Drone Pilot Standard (IDPS). Holding the IDPS will be an indicator of the high standard that you have achieved and of the professionalism with which you approach your flying.
We pride ourselves on the support network we offer our graduates. We can continue to assist and guide you as you take your new skills out in to the world.
Take the first step on your journey as a drone pilot today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hopefully the following will answer any questions you may have. If you can't find what you are looking for, please call us on FREEPHONE 08081680626
Which course should I choose?
We offer 2 course options, giving you complete control over the elements you need to study based on the time you have, your experience and the flexibility to take the course on weekdays or weekends.
The question is, are you considered to be experienced or a beginner?
BEGINNERS
If you have under 10 hours flying experience we would advise you opt for the extra flight skills training in order to pass the flight skills test.
The 5 Day course covers everything you need to apply for your PfCO, plus 2 days of flight skills training with an expert instructor, so you'll go in to your flight skills test as a confident operator.
EXPERIENCED DRONE PILOTS
If you have more than 10 hours flying time, hold a CAA recognised qualification as a manned-aviation pilot, or have advanced drone flying skills that will enable you to pass the flight test with no guidance from us then the 3 day course is perfect for you. You can read about what the flight test will involve here.
FLEXIBLE COURSE OPTIONS
If you can't spare 3 or 5 days in a row then don't worry, we can offer you the course over a series of sessions.
You can come along to a 2 day groundschool then compete the operations manual in your own time and book a flight skills test with us when you are ready. Just let us know what you need.
If weekdays are tricky for you, our weekender option allows you to complete the course over 2 consecutive weekends. Perfect if you have work commitments during the week. Find out more here Weekend Drone Course >
Hopefully that has helped you make the right choice on your drone training course. If you know which course you want to take, please visit our location and dates page to find the next available drone training courses in your area here >
If you need any further assistance, please call us on freephone 08081680626
Where will the course take place?
We have drone training locations across the UK. We use specialist training facilities provided by Boeing, pilot training centres or prestige hotels. We aim to provide drone pilot training in a city close to you at a time that is convenient. Visit our location page for a list of our current course locations >
What do I need to bring?
You'll need a drone and a laptop for the course.
Ideally you do need your own drone. We are a DJI distributor so we can get you some great deals on DJI drones if you are yet to buy one - just get in touch. We can also loan you a drone for the course, please get in touch when you book to discuss your requirements.
You ideally need to take the flight skills test with the drone and associated screens you are planning to use on a regular basis. This must be loaded with the latest software and firmware before the start of the course as there will not be any time allocated to unpacking and setting up a new drone. You’ll need to make sure your drone is serviceable and ready to go.
Your laptop needs to be installed with MS Word. Again, these need to be in good working order please.
Insurance for the duration of the course is included.
So just to recap, you will need:
- A drone and the associated support elements
- A laptop with MS Word installed
Do I need a license to fly my drone?
If you are flying your drone for fun you won’t need a license, but you may need permissions depending on where you plan to fly. The CAA website offers plenty of guidance on codes of practice and how to fly safely and legally. Booking on one of our courses will certainly set you above the standards necessary for flying as a hobby, but it may well open opportunities to you that you hadn’t dreamed of! Fancy a job flying a drone in the future?!
If you plan to fly your drone for commercial work you will need to gain your Permission for Commercial Operations (PfCO) which is what our course will qualify you for.
How do I pay for my drone training course and are there any hidden costs?
When you book a course on our website you will be taken to an online booking form where you will fill out your name, phone number and email address. You will be asked to pay using our secure online payment system.
Alternatively, you may pay by calling us and using BACs payment or by debit or credit card over the phone.
You will receive a confirmation email of your booking and in the following days we will send out everything you need before the start of the course so you can be well prepared.
We offer finance options from £28 a month too, so please get in touch if you wish to take advantage of this to pay for your course.
Your place on the course is only allocated once full payment is made.
There are no hidden costs with Flyby, but there is a separate CAA processing fee (payable direct to the CAA) of £247 when you apply for your PfCO. Please note this amount is controlled by the CAA and subject to change. Flyby will guide you through the process of applying for your PfCO.