A2 Aircraft Eligibility, Distance and Ground-Risk Mitigation
Current UK2, temporarily recognised C2 and legacy routes, their different separation minima, low-speed mode and the 1:1 principle.
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.
Core concepts
Concept 1
A current UK2 aircraft has an MTOM below 4 kg and may operate in Near People (A2) with an A2 CofC at least 30 m horizontally from uninvolved people; active and updated direct remote identification and geo-awareness are required, and the distance is reducible to no less than 5 m only with active low-speed mode and a suitable assessment.
Exam cue: Identify class mark, market-placement date and MTOM before selecting the applicable A2 distance.
Concept 2
Until 31 December 2027, a C2 aircraft may be flown as the corresponding UK2 class; a non-UK2/C2 legacy aircraft under 2 kg placed on the market before 1 January 2026 uses the separate 50 m minimum.
Exam cue: Use 30 m or potentially 5 m only for the UK2/C2 class route; use 50 m for the qualifying legacy route.
Concept 3
The 1:1 principle means horizontal separation should not be less than aircraft height, so the minimum regulatory distance may need to be increased rather than treated as a target.
Exam cue: Apply the 1:1 principle and weather, performance and area segregation to increase distance when necessary.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Applying the 5 m low-speed provision to a legacy aircraft.
Guardrail: Do not treat a certificate, automated function or minimum distance as permission to ignore current class, airspace, weather, performance or overflight restrictions.
Treating 30 m or 50 m as sufficient when aircraft height or conditions call for more separation.
Guardrail: Do not treat a certificate, automated function or minimum distance as permission to ignore current class, airspace, weather, performance or overflight restrictions.
Assuming European C-class recognition continues unchanged after 31 December 2027.
Guardrail: Do not treat a certificate, automated function or minimum distance as permission to ignore current class, airspace, weather, performance or overflight restrictions.
Memory anchors
UK2 Route
A UK2 aircraft has MTOM below 4 kg and in A2 normally uses active direct remote ID, updated geo-awareness and at least 30 m from uninvolved people.
Low-Speed Route
Only an active low-speed mode plus a suitable assessment can reduce the UK2/C2 distance, never below 5 m.
C2 Transition
A C2 aircraft may be treated as the corresponding UK2 class only through 31 December 2027.
Legacy Route
A qualifying non-UK2/C2 aircraft under 2 kg placed on the market before 1 January 2026 uses at least 50 m.
One-to-One
Aim for horizontal separation at least equal to aircraft height and increase the legal minimum when risk demands.
2028 Check
From 1 January 2028, recheck C-class treatment and the direct-remote-ID condition for the legacy A2 route.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
What is the normal minimum horizontal distance for a UK2 aircraft in A2?
When may a UK2 pilot reduce separation below 30 m?
Answer all questions to submit.
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
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