1.2 Prerequisites & Practical Self-Training Declaration

Prerequisites & Practical Self-Training Declaration

The Three-Step Pathway to the A2 Certificate

Under Regulation (EU) 2019/947 Annex Part A (UAS.OPEN.030), obtaining the A2 Certificate of Competency requires the sequential completion of three distinct milestones:

[Step 1: Foundational Theory]
Complete Online Training & Pass 40-Question A1/A3 Exam
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                  v
[Step 2: Practical Competency]
Conduct Practical Self-Training under A3 Conditions & Declare Completion
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                  v
[Step 3: Advanced Theory]
Pass Supervised 30-Question A2 Theoretical Knowledge Exam
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                  v
[A2 Certificate of Competency Issued]
Privilege to Fly Class C2 Drones within 30 m / 5 m of People

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Step 1: The A1/A3 Proof of Completion Prerequisite

Before an applicant can be admitted to the A2 theoretical knowledge examination, they must hold a valid Proof of Completion of the Online Training (commonly referred to as the Open A1/A3 Certificate), issued pursuant to point (4)(b) of UAS.OPEN.020.

This prerequisite ensures every candidate possesses an understanding of baseline aviation principles before studying complex urban operational risks. The A1/A3 syllabus covers nine mandatory subjects:

1. Air Safety: Principles of separation from manned aircraft, collision avoidance, and safety culture;
2. Airspace Restrictions: Structure of controlled airspace (CTR), flight restriction zones, and aerodrome protection buffers;
3. Aviation Regulation: EASA framework, basic obligations of pilots and operators, and category thresholds;
4. Human Performance Limitations: Vision limitations, spatial disorientation, fatigue, alcohol and medication effects, stress management;
5. Operational Procedures: Pre-flight inspections, flight logging, battery management, and weather minimums;
6. UAS General Knowledge: Aerodynamic principles of multirotors and fixed-wing drones, propulsion systems, radio links, and payloads;
7. Privacy and Protection of Personal Data: Compliance with GDPR, photographic rights, and privacy intrusive flights over private property;
8. Insurance: Third-party aviation liability insurance mandates under Regulation (EC) No 785/2004 or national law;
9. Security: Preventing unlawful interference, cybersecurity of control links, and reporting suspicious activities.

The A1/A3 test consists of 40 multiple-choice questions administered online by the NAA or an authorized web portal. The passing threshold is 75% (at least 30 correct answers), and the resulting certificate is valid for 5 years.

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Step 2: Practical Self-Training under A3 Conditions

Unlike manned pilot licensing, European regulations for the Open category do not mandate costly practical flight instruction at a commercial flight school. Instead, point (2)(b) of UAS.OPEN.030 permits candidates to conduct practical self-training.

However, the regulation itself (UAS.OPEN.030(2)(b), cross-referring to points (1) and (2) of UAS.OPEN.040) sets strict environmental safeguards for this self-training:

Why A3 Conditions Are Legally Mandated

Conducting practical self-training under A3 conditions ensures that while the pilot is actively developing, practicing, and refining basic control skills—and potentially experiencing control losses, inadvertent motor cut-offs, or navigation failures—the aircraft cannot strike uninvolved individuals or damage urban infrastructure. The 150 m standoff distance provides a large safety margin while the pilot is still learning.

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What the Self-Training Should Cover (AMC1 and AMC2 UAS.OPEN.030(2)(b))

The regulation does not set a minimum number of flights or hours. AMC2 says the pilot should fly as many flights as they consider necessary to gain reasonable knowledge and skill. AMC1 explains the aim: the pilot must be able to operate a class C2 UAS within its limitations, fly all manoeuvres smoothly and accurately, use good judgement and airmanship, apply their theoretical knowledge, and stay in control so that the outcome of a manoeuvre is never seriously in doubt.

Which Aircraft to Train On (AMC1)

• Use a UAS with the same flight characteristics (for example rotorcraft or fixed wing), the same control scheme and a similar weight to the one you will fly in A2. In practice, this means a C2-labelled aircraft with an MTOM below 4 kg.
• If the UAS has both manual and automated control schemes, train with both; if it has several automated features, become proficient with each one.
• As a minimum, practise take-off/launch and landing/recovery, precision manoeuvres within a given airspace volume, and hovering in all orientations (or loitering for fixed wing). Also follow the manufacturer's contingency procedures, such as return-to-home. Only practise procedures that do not require deactivating functions that reduce the aircraft's safety level.

The AMC2 Competency List

Orientation Skills: Nose-In Flight

"Return of the UA towards the remote pilot" and "hovering in all orientations" both test orientation awareness:

• Nose-out (tail-in): the aircraft points away from the pilot, so stick inputs match what the pilot sees (right roll moves the aircraft to the pilot's right).
• Nose-in (facing the pilot): roll and pitch responses appear reversed from the pilot's viewpoint. Commanding right roll moves the aircraft to the pilot's left, and forward pitch brings it towards the pilot. Yaw still rotates the aircraft the same way, but its effect on the other controls changes.
• Side-on: one axis appears normal and the other appears reversed, which is why the AMC asks for hovering in all orientations.

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The Practical Self-Training Declaration Document

UAS.OPEN.030(2) lists the steps in order: complete the online training and A1/A3 exam, complete the practical self-training, then declare that the self-training is complete and pass the additional exam. The regulation does not prescribe a declaration form. Each competent authority sets its own format, often a tick-box or signed statement in its online exam or registration portal. Typically, the candidate confirms that they completed the practical self-training under A3 conditions before sitting the A2 exam.

After checking that the applicant passed the online exam, completed and declared the self-training, and passed the additional exam, the competent authority (or a designated entity) issues the certificate of competency. This may be in electronic form (AMC1 UAS.OPEN.030(2)).

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Minimum Age (Article 9)

• The minimum age for remote pilots in the open and specific categories is 16 years.
• No minimum age applies when flying a C0 toy in A1, flying a privately built UA below 250 g, or flying under the direct supervision of a remote pilot who meets the age and competency requirements.
• Member States may lower the minimum age on a risk basis: by up to 4 years in the open category (to 12) and by up to 2 years in the specific category (to 14). A pilot who relies on a lowered national age may fly only within that Member State's territory.