UAS/dron remote pilot training
Training of UAS/drones pilots in European Standard Scenarios (STS)
General information
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 ‘specific’ category includes transactions with UAS involving an average risk, which cannot be included in the ‘open’ category. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 on rules and procedures for the use of unmanned aircraft sets out in Appendix 1 the training requirements, both theoretical and practical, laid down for obtaining European Standard Stage Training (STS).
From 1 January 2024, operators wishing to benefit from the European Standard Scenarios (STS) may do so by submitting an operational statement for the STS-01 or STS-02 standard scenario. It is recalled the need to register at the EASA website and to include the registration number provided in the UAS with which it operates. (UAS Operator Registration Section).
The European Standard Scenarios (STS) are valid for carrying out operations within the territory and airspace of the European Union for the use of unmanned aircraft to which Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 applies, therefore they will not be valid in third countries.
Distance pilot theoretical training in STS
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- If ‘open’ category A1/A3 pass test is available: A theoretical examination of 40 questions will be carried out, with a duration of 40 minutes, based on 8 subjects.
- If an ‘open’ category A2 certificate is available: A theoretical examination of 30 questions will be carried out, with a duration of 30 minutes, based on 5 subjects, described in the Syllabus.
The theoretical training for standard scenarios (STS) can be provided by a recognised training entity, a UAS operator, or on its own account, always following the theoretical knowledge curriculum STS (Syllabus), indicated in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947. It shall be for EASA to carry out the examination of theoretical knowledge of the standard scenarios and issue, where appropriate, the certificate of theoretical knowledge.
The format of the examination of theoretical knowledge in “specific” category under a standard scenario (STS) will depend on the previous theoretical training in the “open” category provided by the pilot, there are two alternatives:
Registration to access the exam is done through the Virtual Office of the Electronic Headquarters of EASA; the exams have televigilance technology (access to webcam, microphone and screen):
Access to the exams is limited to a period of 30 days, starting from the moment the access notification is sent. If, after the 30-day period, no attempt at examination is made, the pilot of his application will be given for withdrawal and consequently to re-access, he will have to make a new registration.
To obtain the certificate of a standard scenario, the remote pilot has to pass the exam before AESA 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. Where the certificate of remote pilot theoretical knowledge has been issued, the user shall receive a notice in the e-mail in which he/she has registered.
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.
Once you have passed the online exam you will receive, within a period of approximately 72 hours, the positive resolution and the Certificate of remote pilot theoretical knowledge by means of a notification at the Electronic Headquarters of AESA, provided that you have accepted the notification of registration in the training and examination course.
In the event that the 2 test attempts are exhausted and obtain a score of Unfit, the remote pilot will receive a negative resolution and must re-enroll again to get two new attempts and pass the exam.
Practical remote pilot training at STS
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- Practical training in standard scenario STS-01: VLOS operations over a controlled land area in populated environment with UAS that have class C5 marking.
- Practical training in standard scenario STS-02: BVLOS operations over a controlled land area in a sparsely populated environment with UAS with class C6 marking.
After passing the theoretical examination before EASA for the operation under a standard scenario, it will be necessary to obtain specific practical training for each scenario (STS-01 and STS-02), which must be given by recognised entities or by UAS Operators declared to EASA to provide practical training in European standard scenarios (STS).
This training should consist of a continuous assessment of the practical skills of remote pilot UAS, as well as a subsequent delivery of the accreditation of practical remote pilot skills UAS in the standard scenario (STS) in which the training was carried out.
UAS pilots wishing to receive practical remote pilot training for standard scenarios (STS) shall take into account the following requirements for each type of scenario;
All UAS intended to provide practical training in standard scenarios (STS) shall be equipped with a direct distance identification system (‘DRI’), as indicated in the Class C5 and C6 marking requirements described in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945. The system must be installed and activated during the training and evaluation of practical skills, so that the student can know its functioning.
Aftercompletion of the training and evaluation of practical remote pilot skills, the Recognised Entity or the declared UAS Operator must regularly inform AESA of all those pilots who have obtained the accreditation of practical remote pilot skills in standard scenario, so that the student should not perform any additional procedure with AESA after the practical evaluation has been completed.
In the section of training entities has a list of recognised entities to provide training in standard scenarios that is updated periodically (next publication).
Contact AESA UAS Division:
In case of doubt or special situations related to the ‘specific’ category training, you can direct your inquiry to the drone mailbox (formaciondrones.aesa@seguridadaerea.es).
