What Global Drone Training does

Global Drone Training is a UK-based drone training, support, and compliance business operating under the legal entity Drone Training Ltd (company number 09343477), founded in 2014 and headquartered near Swansea with regional offices in Norwich, Manchester, and Edinburgh, plus six physical flight training centres. The firm holds UK Civil Aviation Authority Recognised Assessment Entity (RAE) status, is the first ECITB Approved Training Provider for the Foundation Unmanned Aircraft Systems Course, and serves a hybrid customer base of individual commercial drone pilots, SMB drone operators, industrial buyers in engineering and construction, and enterprise Operators pursuing BVLOS and complex Operational Authorisations across SAIL 1-6 risk classes. Revenue is generated from one-time certification course fees (GVC, A2 CofC, GVC Conversion, and forthcoming RPC L1/L2), per-instructor flight training sessions at six UK centres, tiered multi-year compliance support subscriptions, and quote-based SORA/OSC consultancy and bespoke onsite training, with secondary income from re-sit, re-issue, and late-completion fees.

The core product stack combines a WordPress-fronted e-commerce shop (shop.globaldronetraining.com), the myglobaldronetraining.com learner portal, an Operations Manual Self-Service Portal, and the co-developed Atoll Drone Management System (built with Atoll DS) which provides compliance dashboards, PDRA01 audit reporting, and end-to-end assurance for Accountable Managers and Remote Pilots. Distribution mixes self-serve online booking, consultative enterprise sales for SORA/OSC work, an in-region partner channel for Africa and the Middle East, and event-driven lead capture. Internationally, training is delivered in partnership with local channel partners to satisfy in-country civil aviation authority requirements.

The business model is in transition from a course-and-flight-training provider toward a more recurring, software-enabled compliance platform, anchored by UK CAA regulatory credentials and a small but credible track record in complex SORA/OSC applications, including agricultural spraying, heavy lift up to 400kg, BVLOS, and reduced separation approvals.

Name

Global Drone Training

Legal name

Drone Training Ltd

Website

https://globaldronetraining.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Global Drone Training is a UK CAA-approved RAE and the first ECITB ATP delivering drone pilot certification (GVC, A2 CofC, RPC), flight training, SORA/OSC Operational Authorisation consultancy, and the Atoll Drone Management compliance platform to individual pilots, SMB operators, and enterprise drone programmes in the UK, Africa, and the Middle East.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Drone Training and Compliance

NAICS

Flight Training (611512)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Regulatory, Compliance & Type Training (FAA/EASA/ICAO, Part 147/145) (EDAOAFAN)

Keywords

• Drone pilot training
• Drone certification courses
• Aerial compliance software
• SORA consultancy services
• Commercial drone operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Norwich

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Certification Course Fees: One-time fees paid in advance for online/in-person GVC, A2 CofC, GVC Conversion, and renewal courses, with optional add-ons (e.g., flight training verification). Pricing is VAT-inclusive and disclosed on the e-commerce shop.
2. Flight Training Fees: Per-instructor fees (regardless of trainee count) for Quarter Day (£264), Half Day (£528), and Full Day (£1,056) sessions delivered at named UK training centres. Billed per session rather than per attendee.
3. Compliance Support Subscriptions: Recurring support contracts available in 12-, 24-, and 36-month cadences across four tiers (Base, Base + OM/PDRA01, Base + OM/PDRA01 + Atoll, Base + OM/PDRA01 + Atoll + Enhanced Compliance). Includes multi-pilot pricing logic.
4. SORA/OSC Consultancy and Bespoke Services: Quote-based professional services supporting SORA and OSC-based Operational Authorisation applications, advanced consultancy, crash investigations, trials, and onsite custom training. Pricing per Term Sheet/proposal.
5. Re-sit, Re-issue and Late-completion Fees: Ad hoc charges for theory exam re-sits (£125+VAT for 75 min, £50+VAT for 30 min), failed practical assessments (£267.50+VAT plus travel), late completion of theory/practical stages beyond three months, and certificate reissue (£15+VAT).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion5 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Global Drone Training delivers UK CAA-approved commercial drone pilot certification courses (GVC, A2 CofC, and the forthcoming Remote Pilot Certificate Levels 1–2 in 2025), practical flight training, advanced specialist training (photogrammetry, LIDAR, regulation workshops), and country-specific courses for Africa and the Middle East. The company also provides ongoing regulatory and compliance support, including PDRA01 Operational Authorisation assistance, SORA and OSC consultancy, crash investigations, and tiered support packages underpinned by the co-developed Atoll Drone Management System compliance platform.

Product overview

Global Drone Training is a single, integrated drone training, support and compliance business rather than a multi-brand platform; its offering combines UK CAA certification courses (GVC, A2 CofC, the new RPC Levels 1–2 going live in 2025), industry qualifications (ECITB Foundation UAS Course), bespoke Flight Training and Advanced Training (including photogrammetry and LIDAR), regulatory and operations support services (PDRA01 support, SORA/OSC Operational Authorisation applications, regulation/hardware/software support, crash investigations), tiered Support Packages, and country-specific training for Africa and the Middle East. The centrepiece software product is the Atoll Drone Management System, co-developed with Atoll DS, which sits on top of the Operations Manual (OM) and PDRA01 Support layers to give Accountable Managers and Remote Pilots end-to-end compliance, PDRA01 Audit Reports and compliance dashboards. Underpinning all of this is the company's status as a UK CAA Recognised Assessment Entity (RAE) and the first ECITB Approved Training Provider for the Foundation UAS course.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GDT Shop: Online shop selling GVC and A2 CofC courses, support packages, and flight training
• Atoll Drone Management System

Products and services

• General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC) Course UK CAA certification course covering theory and practical flight test for unmanned aircraft from 0-25 kg across fixed-wing and rotary-wing types; A2 CofC included as standard; tied to Specific Category Operational Authorisations.
• A2 Certificate of Competence (A2 CofC) Course One-day online theory course with separate exam; grants the right to operate appropriate drones under the A2 and A1 Transitional subcategories of the UK CAA Open Category; certificate valid for 5 years from issue; optional flight training verification add-on.
• Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) Level 1 and Level 2 New UK CAA Remote Pilot certifications announced for 2025; RPC L1 is the entry point with an updated syllabus and required practical training with an approved RAE instructor; RPC L2 builds on L1 with basic Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) permitting; intended to succeed the GVC.
• ECITB Foundation Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Course Five-day industry qualification course covering Platform, Path, People, Procedures and Planning modules, with theory exam, assessed risk assessment and practical skills test; benchmark for remote pilots operating drones in complex engineering and construction environments.
• Flight Training Bespoke basic-to-advanced flight training offered at multiple UK locations (Cobham, Cupar, Glossop, Norwich, Swansea, Tetbury) across multirotor and fixed-wing platforms, covering drone selection, setup, airspace, basic and advanced flight, emergencies, and automated flight; priced per instructor regardless of trainee count.
• Advanced Training (Photogrammetry, LIDAR and Regulation Workshops) Specific platform training plus specialist subjects such as photogrammetry and LIDAR, as well as regulation courses and workshops for those responsible for drone operations but not trained as Remote Pilots.
• Africa and Middle East Training Courses Country-specific training solutions developed with regional partners to satisfy different civil aviation authorities, ranging from UK-standard equivalents to locally tailored courses relevant to the operating environment.
• SORA and OSC Operational Authorisation Support Specialist consultancy and application support for SORA-based Operational Authorisations and Operating Safety Cases (OSCs), enabling operations that exceed PDRA01 limits such as reduced separation from uninvolved people, flights above 120 m, agricultural spraying, heavy lift up to 400 kg and extended BVLOS operations.
• PDRA01 Operational Authorisation Support Support programmes that guide operators through applying for and renewing the Pre-Defined Risk Assessment (PDRA01) Operational Authorisation, including Operations Manual (Vol 1 and Vol 2) development, PDRA01 application support and audit guidance.
• Atoll Drone Management System Drone operations and compliance management platform co-developed with Atoll DS to ease the burden on Accountable Managers and Remote Pilots; delivers end-to-end compliance for Remote Pilots, Operator and Accountable Manager assurance, PDRA01 Audit Reports and compliance dashboards.
• Support Packages (Base / OM+PDRA01 / Atoll / Enhanced Compliance) Tiered support contracts available in 12, 24 and 36 month cadences combining Base Support (telephone/email technical support and regulation updates), Operations Manual and PDRA01 Support (Self-Service Portal, application/audit guidance), the Atoll Drone Management System, and Enhanced Compliance Support (safety meetings and detailed audit support); multi-pilot pricing logic included.
• Regulation, Hardware and Software Support Expert advice on drone regulation matters, support with most drone hardware, and guidance on using software for safe day-to-day drone operations, aimed at simplifying the running of complex drone programmes.
• Crash Investigations and Trials Support Specialist consultancy and support for crash investigations, trials and advanced operational scenarios beyond standard training and compliance services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Impressive track record of successful SORA and OSC Operational Authorisation applications
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and minor.

• Atoll DSflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2023Co-developed the Atoll Drone Management System with Atoll DS to ease compliance pressure on Accountable Managers and Remote Pilots. The system is bundled into the highest-tier support packages and provides end-to-end compliance dashboards, PDRA01 audit reports, and Operator assurance.
• ECITB (Engineering Construction Industry Training Board)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2023Co-developed the Foundation Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Course launched February 2023, in collaboration with leading industrial users of drones. Global Drone Training is the first ECITB Approved Training Provider authorised to deliver it, positioning the course as a procurement benchmark for engineering and construction drone operators.
• CoverDroneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDrone insurance referral partnership prominently linked from the Support page under Open vs Specific Category guidance, directing pilots to a CoverDrone quote page to secure EC785/2004-compliant commercial drone insurance.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Heliguy: UK-based drone retailer and training provider offering CAA-approved drone pilot courses (GVC, A2 CofC, PfCO legacy), enterprise consultancy, and drone hardware supply. Direct overlap with GDT in UK drone certification training, commercial operations support, and consultancy services.
• FlyBy Technology: UK drone training and operations provider delivering CAA-approved courses, BVLOS trials, and consultancy for commercial drone operators. Closely comparable to GDT in regulatory training, flight training, and complex authorisation support.
• Coptrz: UK drone solutions company offering CAA-approved drone pilot training, operations consultancy, and enterprise drone programmes. Competes head-to-head with GDT on UK commercial drone certification, SORA/OSC support, and enterprise drone rollout services.
• UAV Coach: US-based online drone training platform offering Part 107 test prep, drone pilot courses, and commercial drone business resources. Comparable as a drone pilot training specialist with an online-first delivery model and international reach.

Broad incumbents

• CAE: Global aviation training leader providing pilot training, simulation, and crew resourcing for commercial and defence aviation. Broad incumbent in aviation training; relevant as a much larger, well-capitalised benchmark for aviation training scale, though not focused on UAS/drone training.
• DJI Enterprise: Global commercial drone manufacturer offering hardware, software (DJI FlightHub), and an authorised training partner network. Broad incumbent adjacent to GDT's training and compliance business, since DJI's authorised training ecosystem shapes the customer pool for third-party drone training providers.
• Resource Group: UK-headquartered aviation training and resourcing group providing pilot, crew, and technical training across commercial aviation. Comparable as a UK aviation training provider, but with a broader manned-aviation focus and only partial overlap with drone/UAS training.

Emerging players

• Altitude Angel: UK drone airspace management and UTM (U-space) provider serving drone operators, ANSPs, and regulators. Comparable as a UK-headquartered drone ecosystem enabler, with partial overlap in supporting commercial operator compliance and BVLOS enablement.
• Sky-Drones Technologies: UK-based drone hardware and software provider offering autopilot systems, cloud platforms, and enterprise drone solutions. Partially comparable as a UK drone technology business serving commercial operators, though focused on hardware/software rather than training.

Others

• CoverDrone: UK specialist drone insurance provider that GDT already refers pilots to from its Support page. Comparable as a UK drone ecosystem partner addressing compliance-adjacent risk (EC785/2004 insurance), and an existing GTM partner relationship.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dronetraininguk
• Facebookfacebook.com/dronetraininguk
• Instagraminstagram.com/globaldronetraining
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dronetraining

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Global Drone Training