C-DRONE GUIDE · 12 MARCH 2026
Remote pilot training: the online A1/A3 exam and the A2 certificate explained
Flying a drone of 250 g or more requires training, even for purely recreational use. The European pathway has two levels in the open category: the A1/A3 proof of completion, free and fully online, and the A2 certificate, which adds a supervised exam. Here is how to obtain them in France in 2026, and what they actually allow.
A1/A3 training: free, online, mandatory from 250 g
The A1/A3 training is the common foundation for every open-category remote pilot. It is mandatory to fly a drone of 250 g or more (classes C1 to C4 and unclassified machines over 250 g), and strongly recommended even below. In France it takes place entirely on AlphaTango: online training modules covering regulations, flight principles, airspace limitations, data protection and insurance, followed by a 40-question multiple-choice exam. A pass requires at least 75% correct answers; the exam is free and can be retaken without limit.
The proof of training completion is issued immediately as a PDF and remains valid for 5 years. The minimum remote pilot age in France is 14 in the open category (12 for a supervised flight). Allow two to four hours to work through the modules properly: the trick questions classically concern maximum heights in restricted zones, distances from people and night-flight conditions — which is allowed in the open category, contrary to popular belief, provided the drone carries a flashing green light.
The A2 certificate: to fly closer to people
The A2 remote pilot certificate allows flight in subcategory A2: a class C2 drone (under 4 kg) down to 30 metres from uninvolved people, and down to 5 metres in low-speed mode. It is the key qualification for remote pilots working in suburban areas, on construction sites or on partially occupied industrial sites. Obtaining it involves three steps: holding the A1/A3 proof, completing practical self-training in A3 conditions (declared on your honour, covering flight preparation and control of the aircraft), then passing an additional supervised theory exam.
In France, this additional 30-question exam covers meteorology, drone flight performance and ground-risk mitigation; it is run under DGAC supervision, and the pass mark is likewise 75%. The A2 certificate is valid for 5 years and recognised across the entire European Union — useful for cross-border work, since a French operator can fly in A2 in Belgium or Spain with the same document.
And for the specific category? Theory exam and practical training
The European standard scenarios STS-01 and STS-02 demand a higher level: the CATS, the STS theoretical certificate — 40 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes (reduced to 30 questions for A2 certificate holders), 75% pass mark, a €30 fee, valid for 5 years —, obtained after a supervised exam taken in a DGAC examination centre (the OCEANE system, in the same rooms as aeroplane pilot exams), completed by practical training with a recognised entity which issues a certificate of competency for the scenario concerned. The practical training covers emergency procedure management, mission preparation, parachute use for STS-01 over populated areas and coordination with airspace observers for STS-02.
Budget-wise, the French ecosystem is well structured: allow €800 to €2,500 for a full STS pathway at a training centre (theory + practice + operations manual preparation), often eligible for funding. Beware: the national-scenario CATT is no longer issued in mainland France and there is no automatic conversion — since 1 January 2026 every professional remote pilot goes through the European pathway and the CATS. For clients, only one thing matters: ask the provider for the certificate matching exactly the scenario used on their site.
Which training for which use: summary table
The right training level depends on the drone and the flight environment, not on leisure or professional status. Here is the mapping in force in 2026:
| Situation | Required training | Cost | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camera drone < 250 g | None mandatory (A1/A3 recommended) | — | — |
| Drone 250 g to 25 kg, far from people (A1/A3) | Online A1/A3 proof | Free | 5 years |
| C2 drone near people (A2) | A1/A3 + self-training + A2 certificate | Modest exam fee | 5 years |
| Urban flight, populated area (STS-01) | STS theory certificate + practical at recognised entity | €800 to €2,500 | 5 years |
| Beyond visual line of sight (STS-02) | STS theory certificate + specific practical | €1,500 to €3,000 | 5 years |
An often overlooked point: the expiry date. Proofs and certificates issued during the 2021 European transition expired in 2026; many remote pilots discover an out-of-date certificate the day before a mission. Check the date on the AlphaTango PDF and retake the exam before the deadline — early renewal costs you nothing.
Preparing well: method and exam pitfalls
For the A1/A3 exam, the most effective method is to read the AlphaTango modules in order, then drill the heights and distances until you know them by heart: 120 m maximum height, 30 m in A2 (5 m in low-speed mode), 150 m from residential areas in A3, 50 m above an obstacle taller than 105 m at the owner's request. Questions mixing restricted zones with Géoportail height limits trip up most hurried candidates.
For the A2 certificate and the STS certificate, focus first on meteorology (wind gradient, thermal breeze, Kp index for GPS) and on computing the ground footprint in case of failure — topics absent from the A1/A3 level. Finally, train for what the exam does not cover: reading an aerodrome VAC chart, requesting a protocol from a control tower and drafting a préfecture agreement belong to professional practice, and they are what separates a certificate holder from a genuinely operational remote pilot.