About the exam
CAA A2 CofC Exam structure
An independent study guide aligned to the current UK CAA Near People (A2) additional-theory syllabus, practical self-training pathway and post-1 January 2026 operating rules.
Issuer and path
CAA A2 Certificate of Competency Study Guide is administered through UK Civil Aviation Authority. Check official resources before booking, retesting, or relying on a stale requirement.
Near People (A2) Remote Pilot Competency
30 scored + 0 pretest
The current CAA additional-theory syllabus and practical-competency pathway for operating in the Near People (A2) Open sub-category.
Before choosing a provider
Verify the provider against the CAA's current RAE list, confirm its question count, delivery method, identity and evidence requirements, and make sure your Flyer ID and practical-training record will be valid on the assessment date.
Official Outline Coverage Map
Coverage is mapped to official outline item counts so content depth can be checked without hard-coding a single exam.
| Topic | Official outline items | Your questions | Your flashcards | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather Information, Reports and Forecasts | 0 | 50 | 6 | Strong |
| Wind and Local or Urban Effects | 0 | 50 | 6 | Strong |
| Temperature, Precipitation, Icing and Water Ingress | 0 | 50 | 6 | Strong |
| Visibility, Cloud and Cumulonimbus Hazards | 0 | 50 | 6 | Strong |
| Aircraft Configurations and Flight Envelope | 0 | 40 | 6 | Strong |
| Flight Procedures, Basic Drills and Emergencies | 0 | 40 | 6 | Strong |
| Maintenance, Manufacturer Guidance and Safe-to-Fly Decisions | 0 | 40 | 6 | Strong |
| Mass, Balance, Payload and Centre of Gravity | 0 | 40 | 6 | Strong |
| Battery Terminology, Operation and Safety | 0 | 40 | 6 | Strong |
| Qualification Pathway and Test Structure | 0 | 34 | 6 | Strong |
| VLOS, See and Avoid, and Collision Risk | 0 | 34 | 6 | Strong |
| Site Planning, Hazards, People and Crowds | 0 | 34 | 6 | Strong |
| Human Factors, Fitness, Pressure and Fatigue | 0 | 33 | 6 | Strong |
| A2 Aircraft Eligibility, Distance and Ground-Risk Mitigation | 0 | 34 | 6 | Strong |
| Practical Self-Training and Abnormal Events | 0 | 32 | 6 | Strong |
How to use this guide
How to prepare for the CAA A2 CofC
Learn the applicable aircraft route first, then connect weather and performance limits to site planning, separation, practical drills and safe operational decisions.
1. Identify the legal aircraft route
Check the class mark, MTOM, market-placement date and current transition date before selecting UK2/C2 or legacy A2 conditions.
2. Map people, place and airspace
Locate uninvolved people, assemblies, buildings, access routes, obstacles, geographical zones and contingency space.
3. Assess weather, performance and the pilot
Compare wind, visibility, temperature, payload, battery, aircraft condition and human factors with the whole mission.
4. Set separation and stopping points
Apply the correct 30 m, conditional 5 m or 50 m route, increase it using the 1:1 principle and other risks, and define when to delay, abort or land.
Weather Information, Reports and Forecasts
Obtaining and interpreting suitable observations, forecasts and meteorological conventions before and during a UAS operation.
Key rules
Rule 1
A safe weather picture combines an appropriate forecast with recent observations and a local assessment at the operating site.
Exam cue: Check the source time, validity period, location and units before using a weather value.
Rule 2
Time, wind, visibility, cloud and precipitation information must be interpreted in the units and conventions used by the source.
Exam cue: Separate a forecast of expected conditions from an observation of conditions already measured.
Rule 3
A forecast is planning information rather than a guarantee; the remote pilot must compare it with actual conditions and remain ready to delay or stop.
Exam cue: When sources differ, use the most relevant current information and verify the site rather than choosing the most favourable report.
Common traps
Using a distant or expired forecast without a local check.
Prevention: Do not treat a certificate, automated function or minimum distance as permission to ignore current class, airspace, weather, performance or overflight restrictions.
Confusing wind direction, speed, gusts or visibility units.
Prevention: Do not treat a certificate, automated function or minimum distance as permission to ignore current class, airspace, weather, performance or overflight restrictions.
Treating an app icon as a complete aviation weather assessment.
Prevention: Do not treat a certificate, automated function or minimum distance as permission to ignore current class, airspace, weather, performance or overflight restrictions.
Memory anchors
Weather Picture
Combine a suitable forecast, recent observations and a local site assessment.
Forecast
A forecast describes expected conditions for a stated place and validity period.
Observation
An observation reports conditions measured at or near a stated time and location.
Time Check
Confirm the issue time, validity time and time zone before relying on weather information.
Unit Check
Verify the units used for wind, temperature, pressure, visibility and precipitation.
Go or No-Go
The remote pilot must compare reported weather with aircraft limits and actual site conditions.
Next best moves
Quick check-up
Use a short quiz to confirm the rule pattern is actually sticking.
Check-up Questions
A forecast app shows good conditions, but the launch site is already misty. Which evidence should control the decision?
Before using a wind forecast, which two time details should the remote pilot confirm?
Answer all questions to submit.
Next step personalized recommendations
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Official resources
Verify the details with the official sources
Use these links for eligibility, scheduling, handbook rules, and issuer updates. Our guide helps you study; official sources tell you what the testing partner currently requires.
CAA A2 Certificate of Competency
CAA overview of approved providers, course format, entry condition, VLOS scope, minimum age and validity.
UAS.OPEN.030 Near People (A2)
Current legal conditions for aircraft eligibility, separation, competency, training sequence and the additional examination.
AMC2 additional Near People A2 test
Current test administration rules and the detailed meteorology, flight-performance and operating-principles syllabus.
AMC2 practical self-training
CAA practical-training aims, representative-aircraft guidance, normal and abnormal exercises and debriefing competencies.
CAA class marks
Current UK class-mark, temporary European C-class recognition and legacy-aircraft treatment.
The Drone and Model Aircraft Code
Current Open-category registration, sub-category, aircraft and distance guidance.
FAQ
Common CAA A2 CofC questions
Is this an official CAA course or examination provider?
No. This is an independent study guide. Only a provider shown on the CAA's current list of Recognised Assessment Entities for Remote Pilot Competency can conduct the recognised additional test and issue the A2 certificate.
What does the A2 CofC allow me to do?
It is the remote-pilot competency required for the Near People (A2) Open sub-category. It does not authorise BVLOS, flight over assemblies of people, flight outside Open-category limits or any operation that requires a CAA Operational Authorisation.
Which aircraft can currently use the Near People (A2) route?
Under the rules reviewed on 29 July 2026, the route covers UK2 aircraft, corresponding C2 aircraft during the recognition period ending 31 December 2027, and qualifying non-UK2/C2 legacy aircraft under 2 kg that were placed on the market before 1 January 2026. Recheck the current CAA rules before every time-sensitive planning decision.
How close can I fly to an uninvolved person?
A UK2 or currently recognised C2 aircraft normally stays at least 30 m away horizontally. That may be reduced to no less than 5 m only with active low-speed mode and a suitable assessment of weather, aircraft performance and area segregation. A qualifying legacy aircraft uses at least 50 m. The 1:1 principle or other risks may require more distance, and A2 does not permit overflight of uninvolved people.
Is the additional test always exactly 30 questions?
No. The official requirement is at least 30 multiple-choice questions. The test lasts 75 minutes, is closed book except for material specifically supplied within a question, and requires at least 75%. A candidate with a recognised disability or additional needs may request the additional 15 minutes specified by the AMC. Confirm the exact administrative details with your chosen RAE.
What must I do before taking the additional test?
Hold a Flyer ID, complete the required self-practical training, keep the flight-log evidence required by the current AMC and make the written declaration to the RAE. Follow the RAE's current instructions for evidence and assessment booking.
Does the CAA set a minimum age for the A2 CofC?
The current CAA qualification overview lists no minimum age. Separate Operator ID rules still apply: the person or organisation registering as an operator must meet the current operator-registration requirements.
Why are European C2 and legacy rules shown with dates?
They are transitional and time-sensitive. C2 aircraft are treated as the corresponding UK2 class only until 31 December 2027, and the regulatory library already shows a further direct-remote-ID condition for the legacy A2 route from 1 January 2028.