Academy / Drone Piloting: Advanced Techniques

Certification Study Guides: FAA Part 107 and EU A2 Certificate

EU A2 Certificate of Competence Study Guide (Europe)

The A2 Certificate of Competence is required if you plan to fly drones in urban environments or close to people in the EU. It allows pilots to operate drones weighing up to 4 kg in the A2 Subcategory of the Open Category.

A2 Exam Topics

  1. Airspace Regulations:
    • Understanding EU airspace classifications and operational limitations for drones in urban and suburban environments.
    • Maximum flight altitudes (120 meters / 400 feet) and restrictions for flying near populated areas.
  2. Drone Safety:
    • Ensuring safe distances from people, buildings, and other obstacles (typically 50 meters away from people).
    • The "fly over people" rule and exceptions for drones under 250g.
    • Risk assessments for flying in urban areas.
  3. Meteorology:
    • Basic knowledge of weather and how it affects drone flight, including wind conditions, turbulence, and visibility limits.
  4. Flight Mechanics:
    • Understanding drone flight characteristics, such as center of gravity, thrust, and battery management.
    • The impact of different payloads on drone performance.
  5. Privacy and Data Protection:
    • Respecting privacy laws when using drones for surveillance, photography, or data collection.

Study Tips for the A2 Certificate:

Study Resources: The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) provides detailed guidelines and official study materials for the A2 Certificate. You can access these materials via your country’s national aviation authority (such as the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) or Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) in Germany).

  • Focus on Safety Distances: One of the main distinctions between the A2 Certificate and the lower-risk A1/A3 categories is understanding and maintaining the proper safety distances from people, property, and buildings. Make sure you are familiar with the 50-meter distance rule, or even 30 meters when using drones equipped with a low-speed mode.
  • Weather Awareness: Similar to the Part 107 exam, the A2 Certificate includes questions on how weather, especially wind and rain, affects drone performance. Ensure you know how to interpret weather reports and understand wind effects on different types of drones.
  • Practice Risk Assessments: Some parts of the exam may ask you to analyze hypothetical flight scenarios. For example, you could be asked how you would approach flying in an urban area with multiple people nearby. Familiarize yourself with the correct decision-making process to mitigate risks.

Example Practice Question:

"You are planning to fly your drone in a suburban area close to people but still within 50 meters. What precautions must you take?"