A2 CofC

It qualifies you to fly in the A2 subcategory, where uninvolved people may be nearby but the aircraft must never overfly them. You must keep the required horizontal separation from people, with a much smaller separation permitted when a low-speed mode is active. It does not permit flight over crowds or in restricted zones.

It is a multiple-choice theory assessment delivered by recognised assessment entities, and it can be taken online with remote supervision. There is no practical flight test for the A2 CofC. Confirm the current delivery method and any equipment requirements with the assessment entity you book through before your test date.

The official body publishes the current question count and time allowance, and figures change, so check the CAA's pages or your assessment entity's candidate information for the exact numbers rather than relying on second-hand figures. Plan for a short, focused sitting rather than a long examination.

The CAA publishes the current pass mark, so check its site or your assessment entity's candidate handbook for the authoritative figure. Do not rely on numbers repeated in forums, which are often out of date. In practice, aim to be comfortable on every topic rather than targetting a bare minimum.

Candidates with no aviation background typically need a solid week or two of part-time study, while those already familiar with airspace and meteorology move faster. The difficulty comes from applying rules to scenarios, not from obscure facts. Practise judgement-based questions until the distance and right-of-way rules feel automatic.

Retakes are generally possible, but the waiting period, number of attempts and any additional fee are set by the assessment entity and the regulator. Check the current retake policy with whoever delivers your test before booking, and use the feedback from your first attempt to target weak topics.

The CAA publishes the current validity period for the A2 Certificate of Competence, so confirm it on the regulator's site when you plan your training. Diarise your expiry date as soon as you pass, because you cannot legally fly in the A2 subcategory on an expired certificate.

Start with the Open category rules and the A2 distance limits, since most other topics hang off them. Then add airspace and geographical zones, followed by operational procedures and aircraft performance. Leave human factors, privacy and insurance until last - they are shorter and mostly common sense once the regulatory framework is clear.

The recurring failure modes are mixing up the A1, A2 and A3 distance rules, forgetting that proximity to uninvolved people is measured horizontally as well as vertically, and underestimating airspace questions. Others lose marks by answering what they would do in practice instead of what the regulation requires.

Yes. The A2 CofC is a competence certificate for the remote pilot; it does not replace the mandatory flyer registration or the operator registration required by the national authority. You need both, and the operator ID must be displayed on the aircraft in the prescribed form.