RPC-L1 Part A and Part B Explained
RPC-L1 is not just one simple label.
It has two parts.
Part A and Part B.
That difference matters.
If your organisation is planning traditional VLOS work, RPC-L1 Part A and Part B may seem like a small detail.
If your organisation is looking at remote operations, Dock 3, Drone as First Responder or BVLOS with Visual Mitigation, it becomes much more important.
This article explains RPC-L1 Part A and Part B in practical terms.
What does RPC-L1 cover?
The CAA lists RPC-L1 as the Level 1 Remote Pilot Certificate.
It lists the type of operations as:
Part A: VLOS only
Part B: BVLOS with Visual Mitigations
The CAA also says Remote Pilot Certificates support a progressive pathway from VLOS operations through to increasingly complex BVLOS operations.
That is the key point.
RPC-L1 Part A and Part B represent different operating needs.
What is VLOS?
VLOS means Visual Line of Sight.
In simple terms, the remote pilot keeps direct visual awareness of the drone and can maintain control, situational awareness and orientation.
Most standard commercial drone work is still VLOS.
Examples include:
Roof inspections
Survey and mapping
Construction progress
Thermal inspection
Public sector site checks
Solar farm inspection
Estate management
Security support
Utilities inspection
For these operations, the pilot is normally present on site and maintains direct visual control of the aircraft.
What is RPC-L1 Part A?
RPC-L1 Part A is the VLOS element of RPC-L1.
It is relevant where the drone operation remains within Visual Line of Sight and is being flown under the relevant Specific Category Operational Authorisation.
This may be relevant for organisations carrying out structured commercial work with larger drones, higher-risk environments or operations that sit outside the Open Category.
RPC-L1 Part A should be understood by:
Commercial drone pilots
Survey companies
Inspection teams
Public sector drone teams
Security providers
Construction companies
Utilities operators
Facilities teams
It is the foundation level for many more serious VLOS operations.
What is BVLOS?
BVLOS means Beyond Visual Line of Sight.
This is where the drone operates beyond the direct visual line of sight of the remote pilot.
BVLOS operations are more complex because the pilot cannot rely on simply seeing the aircraft unaided.
That creates different requirements around air risk, ground risk, procedures, communications, monitoring, emergency response and competency.
The CAA says every Specific Category Operational Authorisation sets out the level of remote pilot competency required, and remote pilots must meet those specified requirements whenever flying under the authorisation.
What is BVLOS with Visual Mitigation?
BVLOS with Visual Mitigation is often shortened to BVLOS VM.
In practical terms, it means the operation is BVLOS for the remote pilot, but additional visual measures are used to help manage risk.
This may involve observers or other approved visual mitigation methods, depending on the Operational Authorisation.
The exact operation must be planned and authorised properly.
What is RPC-L1 Part B?
RPC-L1 Part B is the BVLOS with Visual Mitigation element.
The CAA lists RPC-L1 Part B as BVLOS with Visual Mitigations.
This is particularly important for organisations thinking about:
Drone as First Responder
Dock 3 operations
Remote asset inspection
Security response
Remote monitoring
Large-site operations
Utilities corridors
Industrial sites
Emergency response
Repeat inspection workflows
These operations may require a different level of competency, authorisation and operational procedure compared with traditional VLOS work.
Why Part B matters for Dock 3
DJI Dock 3 and similar drone-in-a-box systems are often discussed as remote operations tools.
The drone can be based at a site.
It can be deployed when needed.
It may support inspection, security, response or monitoring workflows.
But the presence of a dock does not remove the need for pilot competency or authorisation.
A Dock 3 project may raise questions about:
Remote supervision
VLOS or BVLOS
Visual mitigation
Emergency procedures
Weather limits
Connectivity
Site risk
Air risk
Operational control
Pilot competency
That is why RPC-L1 Part A and Part B should be understood early in any dock project.
Why Part B matters for DFR
Drone as First Responder is built around fast aerial awareness.
A drone may arrive at an incident before responders.
That can be valuable, but it also means the operation is more complex than a basic manual flight.
DFR-style workflows may involve:
Remote launch
Incident dispatch
Live streaming
Command centre monitoring
Multiple stakeholders
Urban or suburban environments
Rapid decision-making
Public safety governance
BVLOS considerations
Visual mitigation planning
Training and competency must be part of that planning.
DFR is not just a drone purchase.
It is an operational model.
Why Part A still matters
Part B gets attention because BVLOS sounds advanced.
But Part A is still important.
Most drone work remains VLOS.
That work still needs competence.
A well-trained VLOS pilot needs to understand:
Airspace
Weather
Battery management
Aircraft limitations
Emergency procedures
Human factors
Site assessment
Ground risk
People and property
Operational procedures
Data capture requirements
Good VLOS training is the foundation for everything else.
Part A or Part B: which one do you need?
The answer depends on the operation.
Ask:
Will the pilot maintain Visual Line of Sight?
Will the drone operate beyond the pilot’s direct view?
Will visual observers be used?
Is this under an Operational Authorisation?
Does the authorisation specify the pilot competency required?
Is this a docked or remote operation?
Is the operation public safety, security or inspection-led?
Is BVLOS with Visual Mitigation part of the intended workflow?
The CAA’s position is that the Operational Authorisation sets out the competency requirement.
That should always be checked.
What about RPC-L2 and RPC-L3?
RPC-L1 is only the first level in the pathway.
The CAA lists RPC-L2 for VLOS and BVLOS operations in ARC-a, where no other air traffic is expected, with entry conditions including RPC-L1 and a minimum of 50 logged flight hours in the Specific Category.
The CAA lists RPC-L3 for VLOS and BVLOS operations up to ARC-c, with entry conditions including RPC-L2, 50 logged BVLOS hours as an L2 remote pilot in the Specific Category and a LAPL medical certificate.
This shows the progressive nature of the pathway.
More complex operation.
Higher competency.
Stronger requirements.
Why organisations should plan early
The mistake is buying technology first and thinking about competency later.
For advanced drone operations, training should be considered before buying:
Drone docks
Large enterprise aircraft
BVLOS-capable systems
DFR platforms
Control room integrations
FlightHub 2 workflows
FlytBase workflows
Long-range inspection systems
The question should be:
What operation are we trying to conduct?
Then:
What authorisation is required?
Then:
What pilot competency is required?
Only then should the hardware and software be finalised.
The practical takeaway
The simple RPC-L1 Part A and Part B summary is:
RPC-L1 Part A is for VLOS.
RPC-L1 Part B is for BVLOS with Visual Mitigations.
Part A is relevant for many traditional Specific Category VLOS operations.
Part B becomes important for more advanced remote and BVLOS VM workflows.
The Operational Authorisation sets the competency requirement.
Dock 3, DFR and remote inspection projects should consider Part B early.
Final thoughts
RPC-L1 Part A and Part B are not minor details.
They help define the type of operation a remote pilot is being prepared for.
Part A is about VLOS.
Part B is about BVLOS with Visual Mitigation.
That difference matters for the future of UK drone operations.
As organisations move towards Dock 3, DFR, security response, remote inspection and more advanced workflows, pilot competency has to move with them.
The drone may be capable.
The software may be powerful.
But the operation still needs competent people, clear procedures and the right authorisation.
Speak to Enterprise UAV
Enterprise UAV can help organisations understand drone training pathways, pilot competency, equipment choices and CAA operational requirements before they invest in aircraft, docks or software.
Contact Enterprise UAV here:
https://enterpriseuav.co.uk/contact-us/
Shop DJI Enterprise drones and accessories:
https://enterpriseuav.co.uk/shop/
CAA drone guidance:
External sources
CAA Level 1, 2 and 3 Remote Pilot Certificates and GVC:
https://www.caa.co.uk/drones/specific-category/remote-pilot-qualifications/level-1-2-and-3-remote-pilot-certificates-and-gvc/
CAA Remote Pilot Qualifications overview:
https://www.caa.co.uk/drones/specific-category/remote-pilot-qualifications/remote-pilot-qualifications-overview/
FAQs
What is RPC-L1 Part A?
RPC-L1 Part A is the VLOS element of the Level 1 Remote Pilot Certificate.
What is RPC-L1 Part B?
RPC-L1 Part B is the BVLOS with Visual Mitigation element of RPC-L1.
What does VLOS mean?
VLOS means Visual Line of Sight.
What does BVLOS VM mean?
BVLOS VM means Beyond Visual Line of Sight with Visual Mitigations.
Does Dock 3 require RPC-L1 Part B?
It depends on the operation and the Operational Authorisation. Docked or remote operations should be assessed carefully against CAA requirements.
Does DFR require RPC-L1 Part B?
It depends on the DFR operating model and authorisation, but DFR-style operations may raise BVLOS and visual mitigation considerations.
Who decides the required competency?
The CAA says the Specific Category Operational Authorisation sets out the required remote pilot competency.
Is Part B more advanced than Part A?
Part B relates to BVLOS with Visual Mitigation, which is more operationally complex than standard VLOS.
Should organisations plan training before buying Dock 3?
Yes. Competency and authorisation should be considered before investing in docked or remote operations.
Can Enterprise UAV help organisations understand this?
Yes. Enterprise UAV can help organisations understand likely competency routes, equipment choices and operational requirements.