To ensure safe and regulated use, regulation establishes specific certifications for drone pilots. One of the most advanced is the certificate of theoretical knowledge to operate in the specific category under standard scenarios (STS).
Before registering for the STS exams, participants must have already completed and passed the online course and exam for Open category A1/A4. Even though it’s not compulsory, the A2 certificate reduces the subjects of the STS exam. If the participants have the A2 certificate, the STS exam will include 5 subjects instead of the 8 subjects it will include for participants who don’t have the A2 certificate.
The training and obtaining of the theoretical and practical UAS pilot certificates is managed by each EASA (European Union Aviation Agency) Member state. EASA Member States are the 27 European Union Countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden) plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. In many Member states, attendance in person is required, in addition to the payment of fees, either at accredited schools or at the headquarters of the competent authority, in order to take the theoretical examinations. In the case of Spain, the theory test can be taken online, free of charge, and is open to anyone, regardless of their nationality.
If a participant wants to take the exam to obtain the remote pilot theoretical knowledge certificate, and to be able to fly in standard scenarios (STS) they can through the AESA (Spanish Aviation Safety Agency). In order to take the STS course, they will be asked by AESA to upload the Open Category A1/A3 Drone Pilot certificate when they register. The steps to take the exam can be found on the following page exams. After the participants have passed the theoretical examination, they will have to undertake the practical training and examination, which can be done at a Competent Authority Recognised Entity that will consist of subjects such as pre-flight measures, in-flight procedures and post-flight actions.
Sources:
- Where to take the STS Drone Pilot Exam? | EU Drone Port™ 🇪🇺
- Instructions for the STS Theoretical Examination | EU Drone Port™ 🇪🇺
- Flying in your country — National Aviation Authorities | EASA
- Standard Scenario (STS) | EASA
