UAS/dron remote pilot training
Training of pilots UAS/drones in ‘open’ category
General information
- Have a MTOM of 250 g or more, or which, in the event of a collision, may transfer kinetic energy to a human being exceeding 80 joules;
- It is equipped with a sensor capable of capturing personal data, such as a camera or microphone, unless it complies with Directive 2009/48/EC (‘Toys Directive’).
IMPORTANT: non-regulated training courses, i.e. all with the exception of training for subcategories A1/A3 (free online training and examination provided by EASA), are not official or accredited by EASA or any other public entity, whether Spanish or European. It is important to point out that, if this were to be advertised, it would be erroneous and false information that could lead to confusion for students, undermining the legitimacy of European legislation and giving them powers that do not correspond to them. More information in the following note:
The ‘open’ category covers operations with UAS that involve low risk and do not require authorisation or declaration. This is divided into three subcategories; A1, A2 and A3, and the training required by the pilot will depend on the characteristics of the aircraft with which he intends to carry out the operations. The following table summarises the operating conditions in the “open” category;
The UAS operator must register with AESA’s electronic office as long as the UAS with which it operates meets some of the following requirements;
Further information is provided in the following document to clarify the above points of registration as an operator for low-weight UAS: Information on drones of less than 250 g.
Training in subcategory “open” A1/A3
- Be of private construction with a MTOM & 250 g and maximum speed less than 19 m/s.
- Have a MTOM & 250 g, without class marking and have been placed on the market before 1 January 2024, with the requirements set out in point ‘UAS/drones without class marking (‘legacy’) other than private construction’
- Have class C0 marking label.
- All UAS that have class C1 marking.
- Be of private construction with a MTOM of up to 25 kg.
- Have a MTOM ≥ 250 g, without class marking and have been placed on the market before 1 January 2024, with the requirements set out in point “UAS/drones without class marking (‘legacy’) other than private construction”,
- Carry class C2, C3 or C4 marking label.
- Course course subcategory A1/A3 Ed.11
- Course Enrollment Guide and Examination Subcategories A1/A3 Ed.6
- Link to the procedure
- Explanatory video on course enrollment and examination subcategories A1/A3 v1
- Explanatory video for download A1/A3 v1 Online Training Overcoming Test
Training requirements in Subcategory A1;
All UAS pilots intending to perform UAS operations with the characteristics defined below shall only be required to be familiar with the user manual provided by the UAS manufacturer
It is recommended that, although it is not mandatory to obtain an online training, the UAS pilot has a certificate of theoretical knowledge in subcategory A1/A3, which implies a free theoretical examination given by EASA, to ensure that the pilot has the basic knowledge in aeronautical training that allows to carry out operations with UAS safely.
All UAS pilots intending to carry out operations with UAS in subcategory A1 with the characteristics defined below shall obtain the certificate of remote pilot theoretical knowledge in subcategory A1/A3;
The training in subcategory A1 allows the UAS pilot to perform operations avoiding the overflight of non-participating persons and not allowing overflights over people’s concentrations.
Training requirements in Subcategory A3;
All UAS pilots intending to carry out operations with UAS in subcategory A3 with the characteristics defined below shall obtain the certificate of remote pilot theoretical knowledge in subcategory A1/A3;
The training in subcategory A3 allows the UAS pilot to operate at a distance of at least 150 metres from residential, commercial, industrial or recreational areas, as well as not allowing overflights on people or over concentrations of people.
Procedure access to examination and certification in subcategory A1/A3;
Obtaining the theoretical remote pilot certificate in Subcategory A1/A3 can only be done by completing an online training, followed by an equally online exam given by AESA. The registration, training and examination procedure is completely free of charge.
The agenda for discussion consists of 9 different subjects, resulting in 40 questions with a duration of 40 minutes.
To obtain the certificate of “Test of passing online training”, you have to pass the exam with at least 75 % of the correct answers and will appear at the end of any attempt as fit. Once the exam is passed, no action is required.
When the certificate has been issued, the user will receive a notice in the email in which he/she has registered. The certificate is valid for 5 years and the renewal process must be initiated before EASA prior to the expiry date.
In the event that the 2 examination attempts are exhausted and a score of Unfit is obtained, the remote pilot will receive a negative decision and, after the closure of the file that may be delayed 24h, must re-register to obtain two new attempts and pass the exam.
Access to the training and examinations course is limited to a period of 30 working days, starting from the time the registration notice is sent that provides access to the course or exam, as appropriate. If after the period of 30 working days no attempt of examination is made or if you have not satisfactorily passed the examination, the application will be terminated, by withdrawal or negative, and consequently you will have to make a new registration to re-access.
Training in subcategory “open” A2
- Course course subcategory A2 Ed.06
- Subcategory A2 exam registration guide Ed.07
- Link to the procedure
- Access to the exam without the STS remote pilot theoretical knowledge certificate
- Access to the exam with the STS remote pilot theoretical knowledge certificate
- Appears; Accessing the next Link
- Citizen Folder; Accessing the next Link
- DEHú; Accessing the next Link
The training in subcategory “open” A2 is intended for all those UAS pilots who wish to carry out their operations with UAS only with Class C2 Marking, not being able to operate with a UAS with different characteristics.
Procedure access to examination and certification in subcategory A2
In order to obtain the remote pilot certificate in subcategory A2, the pilot must first pass the theoretical remote pilot examination in subcategory A1/A3, and declare to AESA, at the time of registration of the exam, that a self-training of practical skills has been completed.
This self-training of practical skills should be carried out in an area where no non-participating person is endangered and at least 150 metres horizontal distance from residential, commercial, industrial or recreational areas. The remote pilot must perform as many flights as he deems necessary to acquire a reasonable level of knowledge and skills to operate the UAS.
For more details on the practical skills to be acquired by the remote pilot, see the following guide:
A2 Self-Training Competence Guide (AMC2 UAS.OPEN.030(2)(b)) (Ed.02)
**NOTE: On certain occasions, the remote pilot identification number in category A1/A3 will be requested during the declaration process. This will have a format ESP-RP-0000000XXXXX, which should not be confused with the operator number.
Obtaining the certificate of theoretical knowledge in A2;
The exam given by AESA has telesurveillance technology (access to webcam, microphone and screen), and depending on the previous training available to the remote pilot, two options are available;
Those remote pilots who are in possession of the certificate of remote pilot theoretical knowledge in A1/A3 must take an exam, which consists of 30 test questions and has a maximum time limit of 30 minutes.
Remote pilots who are in possession of a certificate of remote pilot theoretical knowledge in standard scenarios (STS) may apply for the remote pilot competency certificate (A2), without the need for a prior examination. They must make the application as indicated in point 2 of the Subcategory Examination Guide A2 Ed.07
As in the “open” subcategory procedure A1/A3, the remote pilot will have 2 attempts to overcome it, and must obtain at least 75 % of the correct answers. Once the exam is passed, no action is required. When the certificate has been issued, the user will receive a notice in the email in which he/she has registered. The certificate is valid for 5 years and the renewal process must be initiated before EASA prior to the expiry date.
In the event that the 2 examination attempts are exhausted and a score of Unfit is obtained, the remote pilot will receive a negative decision and, after the closure of the file that may be delayed 24h, must re-register to obtain two new attempts and pass the exam.
For more information on the detailed training scheme for open category see this link:
Training scheme A1-A3 and A2 Ed.05
IMPORTANT*
Once the application is submitted, and if everything is correct, the user will receive an e-mail at the address provided stating that there is a notification available that can be opened by means of;
If such notification is not accepted, the processing of the file and the issuing of decisions and certificates may be delayed by 10 to 15 days, since the system does not process the result of the examination until such notification has been accepted or has expired.
To contact AESA regarding the ‘open’ category training, an email has been enabled for pilots:
formaciondrones.aesa@seguridadaerea.es
