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EASA A1/A3 Drone Cheat Sheet

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Air Safety

  • Not published of exam
  • Open Category Hard Limits 120 m Exceptions Three Key Numbers Uninvolved Person vs Assembly

Airspace Restrictions

  • Not published of exam
  • UAS Geographical Zones Airspace Hazards and Bans Can I Fly Here Article 15 Zone vs No-fly

Aviation Regulation

  • Not published of exam
  • Subcategories A1 A2 A3 Class Marks C0 to C4 A1/A3 Certificate Facts Operator Registration Rules Which Subcategory Can I Fly Do I Register

Human Performance Limitations

  • Not published of exam
  • Human Performance Traps Fitness Check Control reversal Screen fixation

Operational Procedures

  • Not published of exam
  • Pre-flight Duties In-flight Duties VLOS Exceptions Pre-flight Scan VLOS vs BVLOS

UAS General Knowledge

  • Not published of exam
  • Drone Systems and Batteries LiPo handling GNSS limits Remote ID broadcast

Privacy and Data Protection

  • Not published of exam
  • Privacy and GDPR Personal data Data minimisation Publishing footage

Insurance

  • Not published of exam
  • Insurance Rules 20 kg threshold 750 000 SDR Third-party liability

Security

  • Not published of exam
  • Security and Reporting Occurrence reporting Remote ID Never jam drones

Quick Facts

  • Exam EASA A1/A3
  • Questions 40 multiple-choice
  • Pass 75% (30 of 40)
  • Subjects Nine, no published weights
  • Time Set by national authority
  • Fee Varies; some States free
  • Validity 5 years
  • Min age 16; States may lower
  • Law (EU) 2019/947 and 2019/945
  • Recognised All EASA Member States
  • Blueprint May 1 2025 consolidation

Three Key Numbers AI

  • 120 up, 150 out, 50 follow
  • 120 m maximum height 150 m in A3 50 m follow-me Metres above closest ground

Uninvolved Person vs Assembly AI

Uninvolved person

  • Not part of operation
  • Unaware of safety briefing
  • C0 may overfly them

Assembly

  • Too dense to disperse
  • Never overflown
  • No class exemption
  • Person conditional; assembly absolute

Open Category Hard Limits AI

  • 120 m Max height above surface Article 4
  • 25 kg Open category MTOM ceiling
  • VLOS Continuous unaided visual contact
  • Assemblies Never overfly, any class
  • Dangerous goods Never carried
  • Dropping material Prohibited in Open
  • Manned aircraft Avoid, discontinue if risky
  • Rising terrain Follows closest ground point

120 m Exceptions AI

  • Tall obstacle Over 105 m high
  • Obstacle bubble Within 50 m horizontally
  • Extra height 15 m above obstacle top
  • Who asks Entity responsible for obstacle
  • Sailplane Under 10 kg MTOM
  • Sailplane cap 120 m above pilot
  • Measurement Measure from closest surface

Article 15 Zone vs No-fly AI

Article 15 zone

  • Facilitate, restrict or exclude
  • Set per Member State
  • May relax Open rules

No-fly label

  • Popular shorthand only
  • Implies a total ban
  • Misses conditional zones
  • Zones can also permit

Can I Fly Here AI

  • Assembly of people below → Do not fly ( No class exempts )
  • Uninvolved persons present → C0 may overfly them ( C1 must avoid overflight )
  • Residential area nearby → Keep 150 m away ( A3 horizontal distance )
  • Zone requires authorisation → Get prior authorisation ( Check national map )
  • Zone prohibits drones → Do not fly ( Article 15 zone )
  • Near an aerodrome → Check zone conditions ( Usually restricted )
  • Emergency response ongoing → Stay clear ( Unless services permit )
  • Crossing a border → Recheck national zones ( Certificate travels, zones do not )
  • Need above 120 m → Specific category ( Unless obstacle exception )
  • Flying at night → Green flashing light ( Allowed in Open )

UAS Geographical Zones AI

  • Definition Airspace portion set nationally Article 15
  • Purposes Safety, privacy, security, environment
  • Powers Prohibit, condition, or authorise
  • Class filter Allow certain UAS classes
  • Feature filter Require remote ID
  • Publication Common unique digital format
  • Source National authority map
  • Exemptions Zones may relax rules
  • Geo-awareness Warns near zone breach

Airspace Hazards and Bans AI

  • Aerodromes Usually restricted zones
  • Emergency response No flight without permission
  • Prisons National zone plus law
  • Military sites Criminal, not just aviation
  • Certificate scope Competency, not airspace access
  • Crossing borders Zones change per country
  • Zone data Update before every flight

Class Mass Ladder AV

  • 250 g, 900 g, 4 kg, 25 kg
  • C0: under 250 g C1: under 900 g C2: under 4 kg C3/C4: under 25 kg

A1 vs A3 AV

A1

  • C0 and C1 drones
  • People may be near
  • No assemblies ever

A3

  • C2, C3, C4 drones
  • 150 m from areas
  • No one endangered
  • Near people vs far

Which Subcategory Can I Fly AV

  • Drone marked C0 → A1 or A3 ( No certificate needed )
  • Privately built under 250 g → A1 or A3 ( No certificate needed )
  • Drone marked C1 → A1 or A3 ( A1/A3 certificate )
  • Drone marked C2 → A2 or A3 ( A2 needs extra exam )
  • C2 with A1/A3 only → A3 only ( Certificate covers A3 )
  • Drone marked C3 → A3 only ( A1/A3 certificate )
  • Drone marked C4 → A3 only ( No remote ID required )
  • No class label → A1 under 250 g ( Placed on market pre-2024 )
  • No class label heavier → A3 under 25 kg ( A1/A3 certificate )
  • MTOM 25 kg or more → Specific category ( Outside Open category )

Subcategories A1 A2 A3 AV

  • A1 C0 and C1 drones
  • A2 C2, 30 m distance
  • A3 Far from people
  • A1 with C0 May overfly uninvolved persons
  • A1 with C1 Avoid overflying uninvolved persons
  • A2 close limit 5 m low-speed mode
  • A3 distance 150 m from areas
  • All subcategories Never over assemblies

Subcategory Ladder AV

  • A1 over, A2 near, A3 far
  • A1: C0 and C1 A2: C2 only A3: C2, C3, C4 A3: 150 m away

C0 vs C1 AV

C0

  • Under 250 g
  • May overfly uninvolved persons
  • No certificate needed

C1

  • Under 900 g
  • Avoid overflying uninvolved persons
  • A1/A3 certificate required
  • Mass sets the duty

Do I Register AV

  • Drone 250 g or more → Register as operator ( Article 14(5) )
  • Drone has a camera → Register as operator ( Unless it is a toy )
  • Under 250 g, no sensor → No registration needed ( Zones and limits still apply )
  • Toy under 250 g, camera → No registration needed ( Toy Directive exempts sensor )
  • Already registered → Display the number ( On every such drone )
  • C1, C2 or C3 → Upload into remote ID ( Active and updated )
  • Own several drones → One operator number ( Same number on all )
  • Live in another State → Register where resident ( One State only )

Class Marks C0 to C4 AV

  • C0 Under 250 g A1
  • C1 Under 900 g A1
  • C1 alternative Under 80 J impact
  • C2 Under 4 kg A2
  • C3 Under 25 kg A3
  • C3 size Under 3 m dimension
  • C4 Under 25 kg, manual A3
  • C0/C1 speed 19 m/s level flight
  • C2 low-speed 3 m/s selectable mode
  • No class label A1 under 250 g

Exam Numbers AV

  • 40 questions, 75 percent, 5 years
  • 40 multiple-choice questions 30 correct to pass Nine official subjects Valid five years

Registration vs Competency AV

Operator registration

  • Identifies who operates
  • Article 14 duty
  • Number on the drone

Remote pilot competency

  • Proves who can fly
  • A1/A3 online exam
  • Valid five years
  • Who owns vs who flies

A1/A3 Certificate Facts AV

  • Exam 40 multiple-choice questions
  • Pass mark 75% overall marks
  • Pass count 30 of 40
  • Validity Five years
  • Legal name Proof of online training
  • Where sat National authority online portal
  • Renewal Refresher or re-demonstrate competency
  • Expired Re-demonstrate competency only
  • Not covered A2, Specific category

2019/947 vs 2019/945 AV

(EU) 2019/947

  • Operations and categories
  • Pilot competency
  • Registration and zones

(EU) 2019/945

  • Products and class marks
  • C0 to C6 specs
  • Manufacturer duties
  • Operations vs products

Operator Registration Rules AV

  • Trigger mass 250 g or more Article 14
  • Energy trigger Above 80 joules impact
  • Sensor trigger Camera capturing personal data
  • Toy exemption Directive 2009/48/EC toys
  • Where Your residence Member State
  • How many One Member State only
  • Display Number on every drone
  • Remote ID Upload registration number
  • Who registers The operator, not aircraft

A1/A3 vs A2 Exam AV

A1/A3 exam

  • 40 questions, nine subjects
  • Fully online, no practical
  • Proof of online training

A2 exam

  • At least 30 questions
  • Meteorology and flight performance
  • Self-practical training first
  • A1/A3 never unlocks A2

Fitness Check HU

  • Alcohol, fatigue, medication, injury, sickness
  • Duty sits on pilot Self-assess before flight Land while judgement remains

Human Performance Traps HU

  • Fatigue Narrows attention, slows decisions
  • Stress Causes fixation, stops scanning
  • Alcohol Never act as pilot
  • Medication Unfit counts as impairment
  • Screen fixation Breaks visual line-of-sight
  • Sun glare Washes out the drone
  • Control reversal Nose toward you inverts
  • Distance limit Drone shrinks below resolution

Pre-flight Scan OP

  • Zones, site, aircraft, remote ID, payload
  • Zones: updated information Site: obstacles and people Aircraft: fit to fly Payload: within class MTOM

VLOS vs BVLOS OP

VLOS

  • Unaided continuous sight
  • Open category standard
  • Observer may assist

BVLOS

  • Sight is broken
  • Specific category only
  • Needs authorisation
  • Open is VLOS only

Pre-flight Duties OP

  • Zone check Obtain updated zone information
  • Site survey Obstacles and uninvolved persons
  • Airworthiness UAS fit for flight
  • Remote ID check Active and up-to-date
  • Payload check Within MTOM and class
  • Manual Know manufacturer instructions
  • Geo-awareness update Operator loads location data
  • Involved persons Brief and get agreement

In-flight Duties OP

  • VLOS Keep unaided visual contact
  • Scan Watch for manned aircraft
  • Discontinue Stop if risk appears
  • Control Keep ability to intervene
  • Night Green flashing light on
  • Fitness No alcohol or fatigue
  • Zones Obey zone limitations
  • Lost link Programmed failsafe runs

VLOS Exceptions OP

  • Follow-me Within 50 m
  • Follow-me limit Subcategory A1 only
  • Observer Watches drone unaided
  • Communication Clear and effective link
  • Binoculars Do not count
  • Video feed Not visual line-of-sight
  • BVLOS Specific category only

Drone Systems and Batteries UA

  • LiPo swelling Never charge damaged pack
  • Cold weather Voltage sags, shorter flight
  • Storage Partial charge, fire-resistant box
  • GNSS Position hold, return-to-home
  • GNSS blind spot Sees no obstacles
  • Compass error Metal and rebar interference
  • Propellers Chips unbalance the motor
  • Payload effect Less endurance, more energy
  • Failsafe Set return altitude high
  • Direct remote ID Local broadcast to phones

Privacy and GDPR PR

  • Personal data Identified or identifiable person
  • Examples Faces, plates, house fronts
  • Purpose limitation Use only for collection purpose
  • Data minimisation Capture only what is needed
  • Retention Delete when purpose ends
  • Publishing A separate further use
  • Accidental capture Still counts as processing
  • Complaints National data protection authority
  • Two regimes Aviation and privacy separate

Insurance Rules IN

  • EU rule Regulation 785/2004
  • Exclusion Model aircraft under 20 kg
  • Minimum cover 750 000 SDR
  • Which aircraft MTOM under 500 kg
  • Reality Most States require cover
  • Cover type Third-party liability
  • Not covered Your own drone damage
  • Hull cover Separate product entirely
  • Abroad Check territorial limits

Security and Reporting SE

  • Occurrence reports To competent authority
  • Legal basis Regulation 376/2014
  • Firmware Manufacturer sources only
  • Credentials Protect controller and account
  • Rogue drone Call police or authority
  • Jamming Illegal under spectrum law
  • Shooting down A criminal offence
  • Link takeover Flight stays your responsibility

Common Traps

Height datum differs

  • Rule: closest ground surface ≠ Class limiter: take-off point

Certificate is not access

  • Certificate proves competency ≠ Zones still control access

You register, not the drone

  • Operator registration is personal ≠ Only certified designs registered

Follow-me is not BVLOS

  • Follow-me: 50 m, A1 ≠ BVLOS needs Specific category

Insurance floor is 20 kg

  • EU rule starts at 20 kg ≠ Most States require cover

C0 needs no certificate

  • C0: read the manual ≠ C1: pass A1/A3 exam

Sub-250 g can still register

  • Mass triggers at 250 g ≠ A camera triggers regardless

Night flying is allowed

  • Green flashing light required ≠ Not banned in Open

A3 distance is horizontal

  • 150 m horizontally from areas ≠ Not a height allowance

Assemblies beat every class

  • No subcategory permits overflight ≠ C0 exemption stops here

Last Minute

  • 1. 40 questions; 75% pass; 30 correct
  • 2. Nine subjects; no published weights
  • 3. Certificate valid five years
  • 4. 120 m above closest ground
  • 5. Open category MTOM under 25 kg
  • 6. C0 = under 250 g
  • 7. C1 = under 900 g
  • 8. C2 = under 4 kg
  • 9. C3, C4 = under 25 kg
  • 10. A1 = C0 and C1
  • 11. A3 = C2, C3, C4
  • 12. A3: 150 m from built-up areas
  • 13. Never overfly assemblies of people
  • 14. VLOS always; follow-me 50 m
  • 15. Register at 250 g or camera
  • 16. Registration number displayed on drone
  • 17. Night flight needs green flashing light
  • 18. EU insurance rule from 20 kg
  • 19. Zones are national; check maps
  • 20. Give way to manned aircraft
  • 21. GDPR applies to identifiable people
  • 22. A2 needs a separate exam

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