RPAS Pilot Training Organisations

IMPORTANT: This section applies only to remotely piloted aircraft operators (RPAS) performing “non-EASA activities or services”.

Theoretical training

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Only Approved Training Organisations (ATOs), non-engineered flight schools and ultralight schools can issue basic and advanced certificates for piloting remotely piloted aircraft in accordance with Royal Decree 1036/2017.

There are no official or AESA approved theoretical courses for drone pilots, nor has AESA authorised any organisation to use its logo. In order for the basic or advanced RPAS pilot certificate issued by an ATOs, engineless flight school or ultralight school to be valid and recognised by AESA, the training provided and evaluation carried out by these organisations must be in accordance with the provisions of Appendix I on Acceptable Means of Compliance relating to the Training and Certification of Pilots operating RPAS and have a theoretical training programme according to Appendix K on Acceptable Means of Compliance relating to training organisations issuing theoretical proficiency certificates for RPAS pilots. In addition, certificates issued by schools must include the minimum content specified in Appendix P on Acceptable Means of Compliance relating to the content of certificates for remote pilots. The appendices cited are available in the Acceptable means of compliance section and guide material on the EASA website.

Practical training

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RPAS pilot training and practical evaluation can be provided by:

• An Approved Training Organisation (ATO).
• An ultralight school.
• An engineless flight school.
• The RPAS operator in relation to its pilots and aircraft it operates.
• The manufacturer of the aircraft on the aircraft it manufactures.
• An organisation trained by the manufacturer.

These organisations can issue certificates of practical training in the specific RPAS model on which the training was conducted and passed the skill test.

There are no official or AESA approved theoretical courses for drone pilots, nor has AESA authorised any organisation to use its logo. In order for the practical certificate issued by any of the above organisations to be valid and recognised by EASA, the training provided and evaluation carried out by these organisations must be in accordance with the provisions of Appendix I on Acceptable Means of Compliance relating to the training and certification of pilots operating RPAS, and the certificate issued shall include the minimum content specified in Appendix P on Acceptable Means of Compliance relating to the content of remote pilot certificates. Both Appendices can be found in the Acceptable Means of Compliance section and guide material on the EASA website.