Flight Procedures, Basic Drills and Emergencies
Normal launch, manoeuvre and recovery procedures plus disciplined responses to abnormal and emergency conditions.
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
Normal procedures should follow the user manual and a consistent sequence for preparation, take-off, controlled manoeuvring, return and landing or recovery.
Exam cue: Choose the response specified by the manufacturer and configured before launch.
Concept 2
Abnormal situations such as degraded positioning, unexpected mode changes, low energy or an unsafe automated command require early recognition and a rehearsed response.
Exam cue: If automation increases risk, be ready to resume manual control when fitted and when competent to do so.
Concept 3
Loss of C2 link, fly-away risk and manned-aircraft conflict must be addressed by pre-set responses that prioritise people and other airspace users.
Exam cue: When a manned aircraft may conflict, reduce the risk immediately rather than relying on right-of-way assumptions.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Setting return-to-home parameters without considering obstacles or the operating area.
Guardrail: Do not treat a certificate, automated function or minimum distance as permission to ignore current class, airspace, weather, performance or overflight restrictions.
Waiting for a critical battery warning before starting recovery.
Guardrail: Do not treat a certificate, automated function or minimum distance as permission to ignore current class, airspace, weather, performance or overflight restrictions.
Improvising a link-loss response after the aircraft has already disconnected.
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
Basic Drill
Use a repeatable manufacturer-aligned sequence for launch, manoeuvre, return and recovery.
RTH Setup
Set and verify return-to-home behaviour, height and landing implications before take-off.
C2 Link Loss
Know the configured lost-link action and make sure it is safe for the site.
Positioning Failure
Be prepared for degraded GNSS or positioning and know how the aircraft behaves without it.
Manual Recovery
Resume manual control when automation is unsafe, if the system permits and the pilot is competent.
Manned Aircraft
Give way and take immediate safe action whenever a conflict with a manned aircraft may develop.
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
Why should return-to-home height be set before take-off?
A GNSS-positioning warning appears immediately after launch. What is the best action?
Answer all questions to submit.
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
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