A2 Remote Pilot Certificate
You want to fly drones up to 4 kg closer to uninvolved people, for example when filming in town or on a construction site.
View A2Blue Aviation Academy
The right course for your drone use case
A2 for flying closer to people, STS for the specific category, Creative for everyone who films with a drone. You sit the A2 and STS theory exams with us: we are an examination body designated by the LBA (DE.PStF.015).
In brief
Which certificate you need depends on your drone and your operation: the A1/A3 proof of competency is the entry level and is taken online with the German Federal Aviation Office (LBA). The A2 remote pilot certificate allows flights closer to uninvolved people with drones up to 4 kg. STS covers standardised operations in the specific category. As a designated examination body we conduct the A2 and STS theory exams ourselves.
Learning paths
Three courses for three ways of flying
STS-01 and STS-02
For operations in the specific category, for example beyond visual line of sight with an airspace observer.
View STSCreative Drone Skills
For everyone who films with a drone: smooth camera moves, FPV and flying without GPS assistance.
View CreativeAre you with an authority or emergency-response organisation? For setting up a drone unit, see our BOS consulting and training.
Orientation
Which licence fits you?
Weight, scope of use and effort for the three certificates compared.
| Category | For whom | Drone weight | Effort | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1/A3 | Mandatory from 250 g and a prerequisite for A2 and STS | up to 25 kg (A3), <900 g (A1) | Online test with the LBA, self-directed | €25 LBA fee |
| A2 | Flights closer to uninvolved people, private and commercial | up to 4 kg | Practical self-training + theory exam with us, 45 min. | €599 in-person course · online €129 (in preparation) |
| STS | Standard scenarios of the specific category, within and beyond visual line of sight | Class C5 (STS-01) or C6 (STS-02), under 25 kg | Theory exam, then practical training with assessment | from €349 (in preparation) |
Course prices at Blue Aviation incl. VAT. The fees of the German Federal Aviation Office are added and paid directly to the office.
Not sure what you need? Ask us, it takes five minutes to sort out.
Regulation in detail
EU Drone Regulation 2026 at a glance
Flight altitude, distance from people, minimum age, insurance, registration and training requirements for all categories from A1 to BOS in one table.
As of 01/2026 – the transition period for legacy drones without a C-class marking ended on 31 December 2025. BOS flights under §21k LuftVO are tied to sovereign duties and must be assessed case by case. This overview is for orientation only and does not replace legal advice; the governing sources are EU Regulations 2019/947 and 2019/945, §21k LuftVO and the current guidance from LBA and EASA.
Notified examination body
Preparation and examination from one source
We are an examination body designated by the LBA (DE.PStF.015) and conduct the A2 and STS theory exams ourselves. You don't have to go anywhere else for the exam.
Practical training location
Based in Hamburg, flying at Oldenburg-Hatten
Practical training takes place at Oldenburg-Hatten airfield. Every flight session starts with a briefing, you fly by checklist, and at the end we go through what went well and what still needs work.
Flying at the airfieldBriefing & debriefing
How it works
Flight ready in four steps
Clarify
Which drone, which job? That determines which certificate you need.
Learn
You prepare with our materials. In the course we go through the content together.
Fly
At the airfield you practise take-off, manoeuvres and emergency procedures with an instructor.
Exam and certificate
You sit the theory exam with us. The certificate is issued by the German Federal Aviation Office.
Frequently asked questions
Which drone licence is the right one?
What is the difference between A1/A3, A2 and STS?
A1/A3 is the basic proof of competency for the open category: online training and an online exam with the Federal Aviation Office. The A2 remote pilot certificate builds on it and allows a distance of 30 metres to uninvolved people with drones up to 4 kg, or 5 metres in low-speed mode. STS stands for the standard scenarios STS-01 and STS-02 in the specific category, i.e. operations beyond the open category.
In which order do I obtain the certificates?
First the A1/A3 proof of competency with the Federal Aviation Office; it is the prerequisite for everything else. Then the A2 remote pilot certificate with practical self-training and a theory exam at a designated examination body. For the specific category you add the STS theory exam and practical training.
Which courses can I book at the moment?
The two-day in-person A2 course at Oldenburg-Hatten airfield can be booked online, including the theory exam on site. The online courses for A2, the A2 refresher and the STS courses are in preparation. Courses and booking are in German.
How long are the certificates valid?
According to the Federal Aviation Office, the A1/A3 proof of competency, the A2 certificate and the STS certificate are each valid for five years. They are renewed through refresher training or a new exam.
Are the certificates valid in other EU countries?
Yes. A certificate issued by the competent authority of an EU member state is valid in all EU member states. You still have to observe the local flight restrictions of the country you fly in.
Do I need anything besides the certificate?
Yes. Anyone operating a drone of 250 grams or more, or one with a camera, must register as an operator and mark the drone with the registration number (e-ID). In Germany, liability insurance for drone operations is also mandatory.
As of October 2026, without guarantee. The authoritative sources are Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 and the guidance of the German Federal Aviation Office (Luftfahrt-Bundesamt) and EASA.
Not sure which course?
Tell us what you have in mind
Tell us briefly which drone you fly and what you want to do with it. We'll tell you which course fits.