100+ Free EASA A1/A3 Practice Questions
Pass your EASA Open Category A1/A3 Drone Certificate exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
Loading practice questions...
Explore More International Drone Pilot Certifications
Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.
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 drones of 250 g or more 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 test your EASA A1/A3 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ 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, meteorology, and privacy.
Questions
40 scored questions
Time Limit
Untimed or self-paced in most NAA portals (varies by Member State)
Passing Score
75% (30 of 40 questions correct)
Exam Fee
Free in most Member States (set by each national aviation authority) (EASA framework, administered by each national aviation authority (e.g., AESA in Spain, LBA in Germany, Traficom in Finland))
EASA A1/A3 Exam Content Outline
Aviation Regulation & Open Category Limits
Regulations (EU) 2019/947 (operations) and 2019/945 (products), the 120 m above-ground height limit measured from the closest point of the earth, the 25 kg Open category maximum, subcategories A1 (over people), A2 (close) and A3 (far), C-class marks C0-C4 with weight thresholds (250 g, 900 g, 4 kg, 25 kg), the 150 m A3 distance from built-up areas, no overflight of assemblies of people, and the 5-year, EASA-wide certificate
Airspace Restrictions & Geographical Zones
UAS geographical zones published by each Member State, restrictions near aerodromes and heliports, NOTAMs and temporary restrictions, the duty to give way to manned aircraft, nature reserves and security-sensitive sites such as prisons and critical infrastructure, and checking official NAA maps before flight
Operational Procedures & VLOS
Maintaining unaided visual line of sight, the follow-me (within 50 m, C0/C1) and FPV-with-observer exceptions, pre-flight inspection of propellers/battery/firmware, safe take-off and landing sites, operating one aircraft at a time, emergency procedures for link loss and fly-away, night flying with a green flashing light, and accident/occurrence reporting
UAS General Knowledge & Drone Technology
Multirotor lift and control, lithium-polymer battery safety and handling, GNSS positioning and compass calibration, firmware and geo-awareness updates, return-to-home failsafe height settings, the effect of payload and kinetic energy on impact risk, and electromagnetic/compass interference near metal structures and power lines
Meteorology Applied to Flight
Wind speed and gusts versus the drone's thrust margin, mechanical turbulence and up/downdraughts near obstacles, visibility and cloud breaking VLOS, precipitation and water ingress, and how temperature, altitude and air density reduce lift and battery performance
Human Performance Limitations
The effects of fatigue, stress, alcohol and medication on reaction time and judgement, spatial disorientation when the drone is distant or facing the pilot, sun glare and visual illusions, and maintaining attention and avoiding distraction throughout the flight
Privacy, Insurance & Security
GDPR obligations for cameras that capture identifiable people, number plates or private property, respecting privacy near homes and in public, third-party liability insurance, operator registration and registration-number display, and respecting security restrictions
How to Pass the EASA A1/A3 Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 75% (30 of 40 questions correct)
- Exam length: 40 questions
- Time limit: Untimed or self-paced in most NAA portals (varies by Member State)
- Exam fee: Free in most Member States (set by each national aviation authority)
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
EASA A1/A3 Study Tips from Top Performers
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.