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Key Facts: EASA A1/A3 Exam
40 questions
Exam Length
EASA A1/A3 online exam
75%
Pass Mark (30 of 40)
EASA A1/A3 exam
120 m
Max Height Above Ground
Regulation (EU) 2019/947
5 years
Certificate Validity
EASA Member States
250 g
C0 Class / Registration Threshold
Regulation (EU) 2019/945
16 years
Minimum Remote-Pilot Age
Regulation (EU) 2019/947
The EASA A1/A3 certificate is the entry-level European drone qualification required to fly a C1 drone in A1 and for every A3 flight regardless of mass (sub-250 g drones in A1 need no certificate) in the Open category. It is earned by completing online training and a 40-question multiple-choice exam with a 75% pass mark (30 of 40); the certificate is valid for 5 years and recognised across all EASA States. The syllabus covers air safety; aviation regulation under (EU) 2019/947 and 2019/945, including the 120 m height limit, the 25 kg Open category maximum, subcategories A1/A2/A3, and class marks C0-C4 (thresholds 250 g, 900 g, 4 kg, 25 kg); airspace restrictions and UAS geographical zones; VLOS and its follow-me/FPV exceptions; the 150 m A3 distance from built-up areas; UAS general knowledge (multirotor basics, LiPo batteries, GNSS, return-to-home); human performance limitations; meteorology; operator registration and remote ID; and privacy/GDPR, insurance and security. The minimum remote-pilot age is 16.
Sample EASA A1/A3 Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the EASA A1/A3 exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 169+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Which two EU Regulations form the legal basis for the EASA Open category drone framework?
2What is the maximum height above the ground at which a drone may normally be flown in the Open category?
3The 120 m maximum height in the Open category is measured from which reference?
4Which subcategory of the Open category is described as 'fly far from people'?
5Which class-marked drones may be flown in subcategory A1?
6What is the maximum take-off mass (MTOM) threshold that defines a class C0 drone?
7A pilot wants to fly a 2.5 kg class C2 drone using only the A1/A3 certificate of competency. In which subcategory must they operate it?
8In subcategory A3, what is the minimum horizontal distance that must be kept from residential, commercial, industrial or recreational areas?
9What does the abbreviation VLOS mean in the context of drone operations?
10Which of the following is a permitted exception that allows a drone to be flown without continuously maintaining unaided VLOS in the Open category?
About the EASA A1/A3 Exam
The EASA Open category A1/A3 drone certificate is the entry-level remote-pilot competency required to fly most consumer and light commercial drones in Europe under Regulation (EU) 2019/947. Candidates complete online training and a 40-question multiple-choice exam, passing with at least 75%. The certificate, formally 'proof of completion of online training', is valid for 5 years and recognised across all EASA Member States (the EU plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland). It covers air safety, airspace and geographical zones, drone classes and operating limits, human performance, operating procedures, and privacy.
Exam sponsor: EASA framework, administered by each national aviation authority (e.g., AESA in Spain, LBA in Germany, Traficom in Finland). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Questions
40 questions
Time Limit
Set by each national aviation authority (e.g. LBA 45 minutes, FOCA 60 minutes)
Passing Score
75% (30 of 40 questions correct)
Exam / Certification Fees
Set by each national aviation authority (e.g. LBA EUR 25, FOCA CHF 20; some NAAs charge nothing)
Exam sponsor websiteFees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
Air safety
Non-reckless behaviour and safety precautions, basic dangerous-goods requirements, deciding when to start or stop a flight, operating in VLOS at very low level while keeping a safe distance from people, animals, property, vehicles and other airspace users, identifying assemblies of people, respecting the height limitation, working with a UA observer, and assessing uninvolved persons in the overflown area
Airspace restrictions
Obtaining and observing updated flight restrictions published by the Member State under Article 15 of Regulation (EU) 2019/947, describing the types of UAS geographical zone and the procedure for obtaining a flight authorisation, and uploading zone data into the geo-awareness system
Aviation regulation
Introduction to EASA and the aviation system; Regulations (EU) 2019/945 and 2019/947 - their applicability across Member States, the Open category subcategories and associated UAS classes, registration of UAS operators, the responsibilities of the UAS operator and of the remote pilot, and incident/accident reporting
Human performance limitations
The influence of psychoactive substances, alcohol, injury, fatigue, medication and sickness; and human perception - factors influencing VLOS, judging the distance between the aircraft and obstacles, evaluating the aircraft's speed and height, situational awareness, and night operations
Operational procedures
Pre-flight assessment of the operating area, terrain and obstacles, potential overflight of uninvolved persons and critical infrastructure, choosing a safe practice area, weather and environmental conditions and how to obtain forecasts, checking the condition of the UAS; in-flight normal procedures and contingency/emergency procedures including impaired positioning, area incursions, manned aircraft nearby and C2 loss of link; and post-flight maintenance and logging
UAS general knowledge
Basic principles of flight; the effect of environmental conditions on UAS performance; command-and-control principles including data-link frequencies and spectrum and automatic modes with manual override; and the manufacturer's instructions - aircraft limitations, control in all phases of flight, lost-link and maximum-height settings, loading geographical zone data and the operator registration number, payload security, propeller and sharp-edge precautions, safe battery handling and maintenance
Privacy and data protection
Understanding the risk a camera-equipped UAS poses to privacy and personal data, and the guiding principles of data protection under the GDPR (Regulation (EU) 2016/679)
Insurance
Liability in the case of an accident or incident, general knowledge of the EU insurance rules (Regulation (EC) No 785/2004, which excludes model aircraft below 20 kg from its direct scope), and awareness that national insurance requirements differ between Member States
Security
Understanding the security risk posed by UAS operations, an overview of the EU rules, and awareness that national security requirements differ between Member States
Preparing for the EASA A1/A3 Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 75% (30 of 40 questions correct)
- Exam length: 40 questions
- Time limit: Set by each national aviation authority (e.g. LBA 45 minutes, FOCA 60 minutes)
- Exam / certification fees: Set by each national aviation authority (e.g. LBA EUR 25, FOCA CHF 20; some NAAs charge nothing) Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 169 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
EASA A1/A3: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the EASA A1/A3 drone certificate?
It is the entry-level European remote-pilot competency required to fly Open category drones of 250 g or more under Regulation (EU) 2019/947. You complete online training and a 40-question multiple-choice exam, and the certificate is recognised across all EASA Member States.
How many questions are on the A1/A3 exam and what is the pass mark?
The A1/A3 online exam has 40 multiple-choice questions and you must answer at least 75% correctly, which is 30 out of 40, to pass. It is taken online and is self-paced or untimed in most national authority portals.
How long is the A1/A3 certificate valid and where can I use it?
The certificate (proof of completion of online training) is valid for 5 years and is mutually recognised across all EASA Member States: the EU-27 plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. After 5 years it must be renewed.
What is the difference between A1 and A3?
A1 means flying over people (C0 drones may overfly uninvolved people; C1 should avoid it) but never over assemblies of people. A3 means flying far from people, at least 150 m from residential, commercial, industrial or recreational areas, with no uninvolved person endangered.
Do I need to register my drone as well as pass the exam?
Yes in most cases. You must register as an operator with your national aviation authority if your drone weighs 250 g or more, or carries a camera or sensor able to capture personal data (unless it is a toy). The registration number must be displayed on the drone.
What are the maximum height and weight limits in the Open category?
The maximum height is 120 m above the closest point of the ground, and the Open category covers drones with a maximum take-off mass below 25 kg. Class marks set sub-thresholds: C0 below 250 g, C1 below 900 g, C2 below 4 kg, and C3/C4 below 25 kg.
Can I fly beyond visual line of sight with the A1/A3 certificate?
No. The Open category requires visual line of sight (VLOS) at all times, with limited exceptions for follow-me mode (within 50 m, C0/C1) and FPV when an unmanned-aircraft observer keeps the drone in sight. BVLOS requires the Specific category.