RPC-L2 Should Not Be a Free Pass for BVLOS — But It Should Let Pilots Formally Practise Beyond Visual Line of Sight
The launch of the UK's new RPC-L2 qualification marks a significant milestone for the drone industry, giving pilots a formal pathway to practise beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flight. However, industry experts and regulators warn that holding an RPC-L2 does not automatically grant permission for commercial BVLOS operations, which still require separate CAA authorisation and rigorous risk assessment.
Highlights
- The UK's RPC-L2 qualification establishes a standardised framework for pilots to formally train and be assessed on BVLOS flight in controlled environments.
- Holding an RPC-L2 does not grant automatic authorisation for commercial BVLOS operations; separate CAA approval is still required for each operation.
- Commercial BVLOS operators in the UK must submit a Concept of Operations (ConOps), a full risk assessment, and CAA-compliant safety management documentation.
- RPC-L2 is considered a foundational competency credential that supports — but does not replace — the CAA's individual operational authorisation process.
- The introduction of RPC-L2 signals that UK regulators are actively paving the way for scaled commercial BVLOS applications, with safety remaining the primary priority.
RPC-L2 Should Not Be a Free Pass for BVLOS — But It Should Let Pilots Formally Practise Beyond Visual Line of Sight
The introduction of the RPC-L2 qualification represents an important step forward for the UK drone industry. It gives pilots a formal route to practise beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flight — an area that has long been a bottleneck for industry growth.
However, industry experts and regulators are united in stressing that holding an RPC-L2 certificate does not equate to automatic authorisation for commercial BVLOS operations. A clear regulatory boundary remains between the two, and both pilots and operators must understand the distinction.
What RPC-L2 Means — and What It Does Not
The core value of RPC-L2 lies in establishing a standardised training and assessment framework, allowing pilots who aspire to conduct BVLOS operations to build real flight experience in a controlled environment. This is significant both for raising the overall technical capability of the industry and for laying the groundwork for a more permissive BVLOS regulatory regime in the future.
It is important to note, however, that commercial BVLOS operations in the UK remain tightly regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Operators must apply individually for operational authorisation and pass a risk assessment process before legally conducting beyond visual line of sight missions.
Setting the Right Industry Expectations
RPC-L2 should be seen as the starting point of a competency pathway, not the end of it. It equips pilots with the foundational credentials needed to apply for BVLOS operational authorisation, but that process still requires a comprehensive Concept of Operations (ConOps), supporting risk assessment documentation, and safety management measures that comply with CAA requirements.
For the UK drone industry, the arrival of RPC-L2 sends a positive signal — regulators are actively working to enable scaled commercial BVLOS applications. But a measured, safety-first approach remains the guiding principle.
Note: Portions of this article have been reasonably extended based on the headline and industry context due to incomplete source material.
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