ADVANCED DRONE CERTIFICATE: A2

EASA considers flights under the A2 subcategory to have a higher risk than those under A1 and A3. For that reason, to operate under the A2 subcategory you have to take an additional exam and sign a statement confirming that you have done the self-training. Before you can get the EU A2 Advanced Drone certificate you first have to get the EU A1/A3 Basic Drone certificate.

The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has again appointed the Dutch Drone Academy for 2022 as an organisation authorised to provide European unmanned aviation training and organise the relevant exams (qualified entity).

WHO FOR?

The course and exam are for remote pilots who want to take their drone operations to the next stage. For those who are focussed on safety and professional expertise related to unmanned aviation. The EU A2 advanced certificate supplements the EU A1/A3 certificate. If you hold this certificate, you can choose from all three subcategories (A1/A2/A3), as long as the operation complies with the restrictions of the subcategory you choose.

The exam is a legal requirement, but the online course is not. For that reason the course and exam can be ordered separately.
THE COURSE WHAT WILL I GET?
  • A course developed by committed and experienced professionals
  • A course with useful additional information and explanations, in English or Dutch
  • 100 days access to your learning environment, from the time you start your course
  • Guaranteed coverage of all you need to know to operate under EASA subcategory A2
  • Information about the Dutch exceptions to the EU drone regulations
  • Valuable information about how to get the work done, provided by our certificated pilots with a wealth of operational experience
  • An extensive support page with numerous useful links relating to flight preparation and information about organisations relevant to professional drone pilots
LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND COURSE DURATION

The course is divided into three sections covering different subjects. These are:

  • Meteorology
  • Flight performance
  • Air safety

The course, including the introduction, course instructions and additional information amounts to approximately 9000 words. Our education specialists think that you will probably need 6 to 8 hours for it.

DECLARATION OF SELF-TRAINING

In addition to completing the course and passing the legally required exam you have another obligation: self-training. The Dutch Drone Academy has developed a convenient SELF-TRAININGS GUIDE in the form of a PDF, based on the EASA requirements. You can order this guide separately from the course. It covers the full training programme and includes a set of professional checklists, logbooks and a blank operational flight plan for your future drone operations.

NOTE: Many people think that you have to carry the signed declaration of self-training with you. That is not correct, the RDW have to verify that you have completed the self-training before they issue the A2 certificate to you. That means that simply holding the A2 certificate confirms that you have declared that you have completed the self-training.

If you have any other questions, then take a look at our FAQ page which includes lots of additional information and answers to frequently asked questions: Update – Dutch Drone Academy. If your question is not included then please use the contact form at the bottom of the page to submit it. We will get back to you within a few days.

THE EXAM: WHAT WILL I GET
  • An approved exam
  • Guarantee of a valid exam and certificate (permit) through our interface to the RDW
  • You can take the exam online or on site
  • Online exam: 100 days access to your learning environment where you can start the exam 24/7. Did not pass on the first attempt? You can do 3 attempts, as long as you do them immediately after the first attempt.
  • On-site exam: you can take the exam at one of our sites, in Katwijk, Sneek or Heinenoord
REQUIREMENTS FOR AN ONLINE EXAM

You have to take the exam under supervision. If you take it online you have to use “proctoring”. The requirements for this are:

  • You take the exam on a computer with: a webcam, microphone and the Google Chrome web browser
  • A stable internet connection with an upload speed of at least 1.5 Mbps
  • You have a valid ID card or passport
  • You are the only person in the room where you take the exam
  • You will have 60 minutes for 30 multiple choice questions
  • Did not pass on the first attempt? You can do 3 attempts, as long as you do them immediately after the first attempt.
  • We do not use the mobile phone in proctoring. This is no longer required.
REQUIREMENTS FOR AN ON-SITE EXAM

The requirements for an on-site exam are as follows:

  • When ordering the exam you choose one of the sites: Katwijk, Sneek or Heinenoord
  • You have a valid ID card or passport
  • You have to be on site at least 15 minutes before the start of the exam
  • You will have 60 minutes to answer the 30 multiple choice questions, on paper
  • You can reschedule the exam free of charge, up to 24 hours before the booked exam
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