Class 1 Drone (一等)
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ExploreAbout this exam
The Class 1 (一等) unmanned aircraft pilot licence is the higher of the two Japanese national UAS pilot certifications, created under the Civil Aeronautics Act framework that took effect in 2022. It is aimed at pilots who will fly beyond visual line of sight, over populated areas, or near people and property - the operations where a Category 2 or Category 3 flight approval is needed. In practice, holders work in infrastructure inspection, surveying, agriculture, disaster response, and logistics, often as the responsible pilot for a commercial operator. The exam is delivered in Japanese as multiple choice and tests six areas: aviation law and related regulations, flight operations and manoeuvring, airspace, weather and flight planning, airframe systems and maintenance, safety management and emergency procedures, and radio communications under the Radio Act. The Class 1 exam goes deeper than Class 2 into law, meteorology, and system knowledge, and a practical skills test with a flight log requirement sits alongside it. Preparation usually means working through the official Civil Aviation Bureau textbook and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) question examples, then drilling the regulatory thresholds and weather charts until they are automatic. This page is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with MLIT, the Civil Aviation Bureau, or any designated testing body.
What you'll study
About Class 1 Drone (一等) preparation
Is the Class 1 exam harder than Class 2?
Yes. The scope overlaps, but Class 1 demands deeper knowledge of aviation law, meteorology, and aircraft systems, and the pass mark and practical test are stricter. Candidates who already hold Class 2 often need several weeks of focused study on regulations and weather before attempting Class 1.
How many questions are on the exam and how long is it?
The Civil Aviation Bureau and MLIT publish the current question count, time limit, and format on their official sites, and these can be revised. Check the latest official announcement before you plan your exam day rather than relying on second-hand figures.
What is the passing score?
Passing criteria are set by the official body and published with the exam guidance. Confirm the current threshold on the MLIT or Civil Aviation Bureau site, since a candidate who assumes an outdated number may misjudge how much margin they need.
Can I retake the exam if I fail?
Retakes are generally possible through the designated testing organisation, with application and fee rules set by that body. Check the current retake policy and any waiting period on the official site, and treat a failed attempt as diagnostic: identify which domain dragged the score down.
In what order should I study the domains?
Start with aviation law, because it defines the airspace categories, approval types, and flight rules everything else refers to. Then take flight operations and airspace/weather together, follow with aircraft systems and maintenance, and finish with safety management and radio law, which are smaller but easy marks.
What trips candidates up most often?
Regulatory thresholds and definitions, such as which airspace or flight category requires which approval, and meteorological chart reading. Many candidates memorise answers without understanding the underlying rule, then fail when a question is phrased differently. Practise explaining each rule in your own words.
Does the licence include a practical flight test?
Yes. Beyond the written exam, certification requires practical skills assessment and flight experience requirements set by the official body. Confirm the current practical test content, required logged hours, and accepted training providers on the MLIT site before booking.
How much study time should I plan for?
There is no official figure, but most candidates need a few months of part-time study, more if they are new to aviation. Build in time for practice questions under timed conditions and for reviewing every wrong answer until you can state the correct rule without prompts.
Do I need a radio licence as well?
Radio communication rules are part of the exam because UAS use specific frequency bands and output limits. Whether you personally need a separate radio operator qualification depends on the equipment and frequencies you operate; check the Radio Act requirements and official guidance for your specific setup.
Is this page an official exam resource?
No. This is an independent study platform with original practice material. It is not affiliated with MLIT, the Civil Aviation Bureau, or any designated testing organisation, and official publications should always be your primary reference for rules and exam logistics.