Training of remote pilots UAS/Drones NO EASA

Open-category training

The ‘open’ category covers low-risk UAS transactions that 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 theoretical remote pilot certificate in Subcategory A1/A3 can only be obtained 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 ‘open’ A2 subcategory training is intended for all 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.

To obtain the remote pilot certificate in subcategory A2, the pilot must previously pass the theoretical remote pilot exam 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.

It has all the information related to training in the open category, as well as guides and links to the different procedures in the section Training of UAS / drones in the ‘open’ category.

‘Specific’ training in non-EASA National Standard Scenarios (STS-ES-NE)

In accordance with Article 20 of Royal Decree 517/2024, for carrying out UAS operations in national standard scenarios («STS-ES-NE»), remote pilots must: 

• Be in possession of a certificate of theoretical knowledge of remote pilot, in accordance with the definition of the corresponding standard scenarios, issued by the State Aviation Safety Agency.
• Be in possession of a full practical skills training accreditation for the relevant standard scenario in each case, as set out in the definition of the relevant standard scenarios, issued by an authorised entity.

The theoretical training  for STS-ES-NE can be given by a training entity, a UAS operator, or on their own, always following the agenda defined for each standard scenario. It shall be the responsibility of EASA to carry out the theoretical knowledge examination of the standard scenarios and to issue, if appropriate, the theoretical knowledge certificate.

After passing the theoretical exam before AESA for the operation under a standard scenario, specific practical training is required for each scenario, and must be taught by Faculties to provide practical training in national standard scenarios.. It has all the information related to these entities in the section of Faculties. 

The national standard scenarios (STS-ES-NE) are only valid for operations within the territory and airspace of Spanish sovereignty, therefore, hey will have no validity either in the other EASA Member States or in third countries.

STS-ES-01NE y STS-ES-02NE

As established in the Resolution of 10 November 2024 of the Directorate of the State Aviation Safety Agency with code GR-D-031 approving national standard scenarios (STS-ES-NE), the theoretical knowledge test for STS-ES-01NE and STS-ES-02NE is the same as that established for EASA STS (both European and national).

You can find the link for the application for access to the exam, as well as guides and help material in the section Training UAS / drones pilots in European standard scenarios (STS)..

In addition, according to the aforementioned resolution, practical training for these standard non-EASA scenarios may be justified by one of the following points: 

• An accreditation of complete training of practical skills for the relevant STS-ES-NE, in accordance with Article 20(b) of Royal Decree 517/2024, issued by an authorised entity;
• An accreditation of comprehensive practical skills training for the European STS, in accordance with Appendix A to Chapters I and II of Appendix I to the Annex to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, issued by a recognised entity or a declared UAS operator to provide such training;
• An full practical skills training accreditation for the STS-ES EASA,  in accordance with Chapters II and III of the Resolution of the Management of the State Aviation Safety Agency approving national standard scenarios (STS-ES) for UAS operations in the ‘specific’ category under an operational declaration in accordance with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 of 24 May 2019 on the rules and procedures for the use of unmanned aircraft, issued by a recognised entity or a UAS operator declared to provide such training.

‘Specific’ category training under operational authorisation

Pilots wishing to conduct ‘specific’ category operations upon application for an operational authorisation require theoretical and practical training based on the concept of operation (‘ConOps’).

The training that is necessary to carry out will be determined within the operational authorization, being necessary in any case previously to have the self-training in practical skills of the subcategory A2 , for which it is necessary to be in possession of the Proof of passing online training A1/A3.

Such training shall be provided by the operator together with a Designated Entity. To obtain a certificate of theoretical knowledge and an accreditation of practical skills for performing UAS operations in the ‘specific’ category subject to an operational authorisation:

• The student must pass the theoretical knowledge exam prior to the assessment of practical skills.
• In no case may the student be evaluated by people who have provided more than 25% of the training in practical skills.

You have all the information relating to these entities in the Designated Entities section .

Direct Distance Identification System (“DRI”) requirement

As of 1 January 2024, it is a prerequisite that UAS intended to carry out “specific” Category Training operations have a Direct Remote Identification System ("DRI").

The training entities and UAS Operators declared to provide the practical training in the "specific" category shall ensure compliance with the corresponding declaration submitted to EASA, which indicates that they undertake to comply with the operational requirements applicable to the operational category in which they provide training, among which is the requirement to have a Direct Distance Identification System ("DRI").

It will be recommended that the Training Entities and the declared UAS Operators indicate and show the student, within their training activities, the operation and methodology of using the Direct Distance Identification System (“DRI”) to ensure that the future remote pilot knows the application, installation and operation of this device. It has all the information in the section of Remote identification system and class markings