UAS/dron remote pilot training
Training of UAS/dron pilots in ‘specific’ category
- If a ‘open’ category A1/A3 pass test is available, a theoretical examination of 40 questions, with a duration of 40 minutes, based on 8 subjects, is available.
- If an ‘open’ category A2 certificate is available: A theoretical examination of 30 questions, with a duration of 30 minutes, will be performed based on 5 subjects.
IMPORTANT: non-regulated training courses, i.e. all with the exception of subcategories A1/A3 (free online training and examination provided by EASA), are neither official nor accredited by EASA or any other public body, whether Spanish or European. It is important to note that, if this were to be advertised, it would be erroneous and false information that could lead to confusion among students, undermining the legitimacy of European legislation, giving them powers that do not correspond to them. For more information, please refer to the following note:
The ‘specific’ category covers transactions with UAS involving an average risk. In ‘specific’ category the UAS operator must register with the AESA website and incorporate the registration number provided in the UAS with which it operates. (UAS operator registration section)
The possible cases to operate in ‘specific’ category are:
1. Operate in ‘specific’ category under a standard scenario (‘STS’). Based on the pre-training defined for the ‘open’ category, there are two alternatives:
The subjects corresponding to this level are indicated in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, and a more detailed version to serve as a study guide is available at this link: Syllabus examine theoretical knowledge STS v2
The theoretical training for STS can be provided by a training organisation, a UAS operator, or on its own account, always following the syllabus published syllabus. It is for EASA to carry out the examination of theoretical knowledge of the STS and, if appropriate, to issue the corresponding certificate.
Registration for the exam is carried out through the Virtual Office of the Electronic Headquarters of EASA; the exams feature telemonitoring technology (cam access, microphone and screen):
Access to exams is limited to a period of 30 days, starting from the moment the access notification is sent. If no examination attempt has been made after the 30-day period, the pilot will be dismissed from his/her application and consequently to have access again, he/she will have to re-register.
To obtain the certificate of a standard scenario, the remote pilot must pass the AESA exam with at least 75 % of the correct answers and will appear at the end of any attempt as fit. Once the test is passed, no action is required. When the remote pilot theoretical knowledge certificate has been issued, the user will receive a notice in the email in which he/she has registered.
The remote pilot theoretical knowledge certificate obtained is unique for both national standard scenarios and as certificates issued under national standard scenarios are valid until 31 December 2025.
In the event that the 2 test attempts are exhausted and obtain a non-fit rating, the remote pilot will receive a negative resolution and must re-register in order to get two new attempts and pass the test.
In both cases, after passing the theoretical examination before EASA, for the operation under a standard scenario, practical training is required for each scenario, provided by recognised entities or by declared UAS operators, which will consist of a continuous assessment and, obtaining an accreditation of practical skills for this standard scenario by recognised entities or UAS operators that have declared to provide such practical training.
In the section on training institutions you have a list of recognised entities to provide training in standard scenarios that is regularly updated (link to the section on training entities)
2. Operate in ‘specific’ category upon request for an operational authorisation. For these remote pilots, theoretical and practical training based on the concept of operation (‘ConOps’) is required.
The training required shall be determined in the context of the application for operational authorisation, being necessary in any case to have the self-training in practical skills of subcategory A2, for which it is necessary to be in possession of the test of passing online training A1/A3.
Guidance material on “training of pilots in ‘specific’ category under authorisation” has been developed, located in the web section of Operations with UAS/drones — Specific Category in the Operational Authorisation section, which details the UAS operator how to demonstrate the justification for compliance with remote pilot training, together with the subjects of theoretical knowledge and practical skills training, recurrent training, registrations, in addition to requirements of instructors and examiners
For more information on the detailed training scheme for ‘specific’ category, please refer to these links:
Training Scheme STS v2 Training
Scheme Authorisation v2
To contact AESA regarding the ‘specific’ category training, an email for pilots has been enabled:
formaciondrones.aesa@seguridadaerea.es
