What is the A2 License?

If you want to fly a drone in Germany that weighs more than 500g OR operate it in urban or populated areas, you need to obtain your EASA A2 Certificate of Competency (aka – the A2 license). This guide will walk you through the process of obtaining your A2 license in Germany.

The A2 Certificate of Competency is part of the European drone regulations, put out by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), for operating drones in the Open Category (A2 subcategory). Obtaining your A2 license in Germany is straightforward but it does requires training, studying, and passing an exam. This license allows you to fly your drone more flexibly and operate in urban areas, flying closer to people, while staying compliant with regulations.

• Obtain the A1/A3 Basic Certificate
  • Before applying for the A2 Certificate, you must first pass the A1/A3 online exam provided by the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA).
  • If you do not currently have yours please refer to my post “EASA A1/A3 Drone license in Germany” as a great starting point to obtaining it.

• Complete Self-Practical Training
  • Before taking the A2 exam, you must conduct self-training to gain experience flying your drone safely in an unpopulated area.
  • Training Requirements:
    • Practice in an area where you do not endanger people or property.
    • Perform various maneuvers such as straight-line flights, turns, and emergency procedures.
    • No official instructor is required, but you must declare in writing that you have completed the training.

• Pass the A2 Theory Exam
  • Once you’ve completed your self-practical training, you need to take the A2 theoretical exam at an approved test center. The A2 theory exam consists of 30 multiple-choice questions. You are given 30 minutes to finish and you will need an minimum score of roughly 75% in order to pass.
  • Subjects covered:
    • Meteorology (weather conditions and their impact on drones)
    • UAS flight performance and limitations
    • Risk assessment for safe drone operations
  • The LBA provides a link with all of their recognized certified examination providers. The exam fee varies by the provider, and not all providers offer the exam in English. Expect to pay at least €120 and up for a test center that is giving the exam in English.
  • Link: LBA A2/STS Recognized Test Centers

• Receive Your A2 Certificate
  • Upon successfully passing the A2 exam, you will receive [electronically] your Certificate of Competency for subcategory A2. This certificate is valid for five year and allows you to legally fly drones closer to people within the Open A2 subcategory.

Additional Considerations to Remember:

• Ensure Compliance: Even with your A2 license, you still must follow German and EU regulations.
  • Maintain a minimum distance of 30 meters from uninvolved people (or 5 meters in low-speed mode).
  • Fly only drones that weigh under 2kg.
• Mark your drone: You must have your Operator ID (e-ID) present on all of drones.
• Follow local airspace restrictions: Check maps before flying to assure you are following airspace restrictions. There are websites like Dipol MapTool, and apps like Droniq or AirMap, which can assist with checking the airspace.
• Respect privacy laws: When flying near people or private property respect their privacy.

If you’re planning commercial drone operations, consider looking into the Specific Category (STS or SORA approvals) for even greater operational flexibility.