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£200.00 exc. VAT

A2 Certificate of Competency

PUBLIC TRAINING COURSE

Our 1-day, CAA accredited A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC) which can be delivered both in-person and online is suitable for all levels of drone pilot, whether you’re a beginner or if you’re renewing your certificate.

Upon completion of the A2 CofC ground school, you will have an in-depth knowledge surrounding the fundamentals of safely operating a drone.

Training will culminate in a multiple choice examination. When passed successfully and paired with flight log evidence demonstrating at least 2 hours of flying competency, you will earn you your A2 CofC, allowing you to fly within the Open Category (low risk).

If you do not have the necessary 2 hours of flying competency, our A2 CofC course is also available with our additional ½ day flying bolt on, providing 2 hours of 1-2-1 structured flying tuition. This will be scheduled within 45 days of your completed theory exam. 

To book your ½ day flying bolt on, simply select it in the booking options below. 

  • Learn from ex-military drone experts
  • Professionally delivered instruction throughout
  • An excellent learning environment that caters for all learning styles
Image of man teaching drone training class.
This item: A2 CofC
£200.00 exc. VAT
£200.00 exc. VAT
Practical drone flight training.
1/2 Day Flying (equates to approx. 2 hours of additional flying instruction)
£137.50 exc. VAT

Category:

The A2 CofC caters to drone pilots looking to operate drones in the Open Category only and equips you with the latest operating knowledge mandated by the CAA. This qualification is essential for operating drones safely and in compliance with regulations within the Open category (low risk).

Your course will consist of 1 day of theory, encompassing 9 essential modules. 

Course modules will be taught covering:

  • Air law/ Responsibilities ​
  • RPAS Airspace Operating Principles ​
  • Airmanship & Aviation Safety​
  • Human Performance Limitations ​
  • Meteorology​
  • Navigation/Charts​
  • RPAS General Knowledge​
  • Operator Responsibilities ​
  • Operating Procedures

This course will be delivered online by one of our expert drone training instructors. Should you choose our 1/2 Day Practical Flight Training Bolt On, this will be conducted at our central training location in Lincolnshire.

Course dates will be arranged with you after you place your booking.

We want every learner to feel supported on our drone courses. If you have any learning difficulties or require additional support, please let us know before your course begins. This helps us make any reasonable adjustments you may need, such as extra time, alternative materials, or tailored learning support.

All information is treated confidentially and used only to ensure you have the best possible training experience.

Related products

A2 CofC Frequently Asked Questions

What is the A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC)?Reveal

The A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC) is a CAA-recognised drone qualification in the UK that allows pilots to fly drones closer to people in the Open Category (A2 subcategory).

What does the A2 CofC allow me to do?Reveal

The A2 CofC unlocks the “Near People” (A2) subcategory of the Open Category. It allows you to fly “legacy” drones (such as the DJI Mavic 2 or Air series) up to 2kg in built-up areas, provided you maintain a 50m horizontal separation from uninvolved people. For newer C2-rated drones, it allows you to fly as close as 30m (or 5m in a low-speed mode).

Who should take the A2 CofC course?Reveal

The A2 CofC course is ideal for beginners, hobbyists, and commercial drone pilots who want to operate legally in built-up areas or near people without needing advanced certifications.

How long does the A2 CofC course take?Reveal

Our A2 CofC course typically takes 1 day to complete, including theory training, and assessment.

What does the A2 CofC course include?Reveal

The course includes:

  • Air law and drone regulations
  • Meteorology and flight safety
  • Navigation and operating procedures
  • Human performance and risk management
  • Final multiple-choice theory exam

Is practical flight training required for A2 CofC?Reveal

The self-practical flying training can be declared via an email to EEI as the Recognised Assessment Entity (RAE) along with attached evidence in the form of a flight log. This must demonstrate that a minimum of two hours flight time has been recorded during the self-practical training.

Do I need any experience to enrol on the A2 CofC course?Reveal

No prior experience is required. The course is suitable for all levels of drone pilot, including complete beginners.

How long is the A2 CofC certificate valid for?Reveal

The A2 CofC qualification is valid for 5 years, after which you will need to renew it.

Do I need an A2 CofC to fly a drone commercially in the UK?Reveal

Not always, but the A2 CofC is one of the most cost-effective ways to fly commercially in the Open Category, especially when operating near people or in built-up areas.

Scenario A2 CofC Required
Commercial work with a sub-250g drone) in A1/Open Category Usually No
Commercial work with a drone under 2kg and you want to fly in the A2 “Near People” category Yes
Commercial work using a UK2/C2-class drone closer to people in built-up areas Yes
Commercial work entirely within A3 (“Far From People”) rules No
Operations outside the Open Category requiring a CAA Operational Authorisation (Specific Category) A2 CofC alone is not sufficient, other qualifications / authorisations may be needed e.g. RPC-L1, SORA etc.

Testimonials

  1. Did this for work (military). First time flying a drone and got competent quite quickly and the theory was heavy but taught well enough for a high pass on it. The instructor was former Forces so there was No BS. Really enjoyed it. Zeta South Student

  2. A great day and learned a huge amount. Definitely interested in a a further bespoke advanced flying day perhaps next year. Thanks Tim! Bespoke Flying Day Student

  3. Excellent communication and dedication to ensure information was digestible and easy to understand. Practical approach and very friendly. A2 CofC Student

  4. Ian (Gally) did an amazing job teaching our group! He made the course fun and had lots of time and patience. Learned a lot and feel confident flying. Thank you so much. Can’t recommend Eagle Eye Innovations highly enough. Zeta Closed Student

  5. Highly recommended. The instructors are very knowledgeable, patient and provide thorough training. Very enjoyable day. Many thanks. South West Water

  6. Excellent course. Tim was able to deliver all content in a way that made it easy to understand and more importantly, remember. The theory input provided a great starting point and ensured a seamless transition to the practical art of aviating the drones. The aspiration of earning “Gold Wings” is a fun incentive to work hard. Well done EEI Leicester Police

Accreditations

  • Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award logo.
  • ISO 9001 logo
  • Cyber Essentials certification mark.
  • Joscar logo.
  • CAA logo.
  • ADS membership logo.
  • SCEG logo.
  • The Air League logo.
  • ELCAS Logo
  • EcoVadis Committed Badge
  • My Square Metre logo