Drone flying in Europe? Going through a drone course and obtaining the drone certificate is often mandatory. Since the introduction of European legislation, drone rules have been tightened. You are not allowed to fly everywhere with your drone and you need a drone certificate and operator number. The drone course teaches you all this, but what does it look like and which drone course should I take? We'll tell you in this blog.
Why take a drone course?
Many beginners think you can just take a drone out of the box and send it into the air. In practice, it's not that simple and certainly not legal.
Since January 2021, EASA drone regulations have been in effect across Europe. That divides drones into categories and prescribes for each category what powers a pilot needs.
For the most commonly used drones, the rules of the open category apply, with three main subcategories:
- A1 - For light and small drones
- A2 - For heavier drones closer to people and above buildings
- A3 - For heavier drones with distance restrictions to people and buildings
What drone courses are there?
Drone Course A1/A3
The A1/A3 course is the basic course. Completing this course allows you to fly drones in the A1 and A3 subcategory. The A1/A3 basic course is a combination certificate for low-risk drone flights.
Suitable for: Drone pilots with small, light drones (C1 label). Drone pilots with larger drones and many distance restrictions (C3, C4 and drones over 250 grams without Cx label).
Contents A1/A3 drone course:
- Air safety
- Airspace and flight restrictions
- Human performance and restrictions
- Privacy and insurance
- Technical knowledge about drones
How to pass the A1/A3 course?
In the online learning environment you follow the different modules step by step. This explains all information about flying drones in the EU. Completed all modules? Then you are ready for the exam. The official exam is online and consists of 40 multiple choice questions. If you answer more than 75% of the questions correctly, you have passed. Didn't pass in one sitting? No worries, you can retake the exam unlimited times. You will receive the A1/A3 certificate by email and can start flying.
Not sure which license you need?
Drone Course A2
The A2 course is an addition to the A1/A3 basic course. You must first obtain the basic drone certificate before you can begin the A2 course. The A2 course covers theory in more detail.
Suitable for: drone pilots who want to fly a C2 drone (500 grams to 4kg).
Contents A2 course:
- Meteorology
- Flight performance of drones
- Technical and operational measures
- Ground risk and aerial risk
How to pass the A2 course?
In the online learning environment you follow the different modules step by step. This explains all the information about flying drones in the EU. Completed all modules? Then you are ready for the exam. The official exam is online and consists of 30 multiple choice questions. If you answer more than 75% of the questions correctly, you have passed. Didn't pass in one sitting? No worries, you can retake the exam unlimited times. You will receive the A1/A3+A2 certificate by email and can start flying.
Which drone course is right for me?
With our decision aid you can quickly and easily calculate which drone course you need to take to legally fly your drone. Enter the make and model of your drone and the tool will calculate the right course.
Frequently Asked Questions About Drone Courses
Is a drone course mandatory?
Yes, for drones over 250 grams, the drone course is mandatory.
How long is my drone certificate valid?
The A1/A3 and A2 certificate of pilot competence is valid for five years and can be renewed thereafter.
Can I take the drone course fully online?
Yes, the A1/A3 and A2 course for drone pilots are fully online.
Does my Dutch drone certificate also apply in other EU countries?
Yes, the EASA certificate is valid in all EU member states, plus Norway, Iceland and Switzerland.
How long does the drone course take?
You can complete the drone course within one day. On average, the course for A1/A3 takes 4-6 hours. The drone course for A2 takes 2-4 hours.
Start drone flying today
A drone course is the foundation for performing drone flights safely and legally. Being aware of the drone rules will help you avoid illegal flights and fines. The drone course is for every drone pilot: novice, professional or hobbyist.
Drone flying today? Our drone course is completely online and can be obtained within a day. View our range of drone courses.
