A2 CofC - Drone Certificate of Competency In-Flight Procedures Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You are conducting an A2 operation when a large, territorial bird, such as a gull or bird of prey, begins to circle and dive aggressively towards your UAS. What is the most appropriate and safest immediate response?
- Rapidly ascend to an altitude above the bird's typical flight ceiling.
- Perform aggressive manoeuvres to try and scare the bird away.
- Maintain the current flight path and hope the bird loses interest.
- Cease the operation and land the UAS as soon as it is safe to do so, moving away from the bird's location. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Cease the operation and land the UAS as soon as it is safe to do so, moving away from the bird's location.
CAA guidance and general airmanship principles prioritise de-escalating encounters with wildlife. The safest action is to remove the UAS from the situation to prevent harm to the animal, damage to the aircraft, or a potential loss of control. Ascending rapidly or making aggressive manoeuvres could escalate the attack and increase the risk. Ignoring it is unsafe. Landing as soon as safely possible is the correct procedure.
Question 2: While operating a UAS in the A2 Open Category over a coastal area, a thick bank of sea fog unexpectedly rolls in, significantly reducing visibility. What is the immediate and overriding legal requirement for the remote pilot?
- Switch to the drone's camera view (FPV) to continue navigating safely.
- Initiate the automated Return to Home (RTH) function immediately and monitor its progress on the map.
- Climb to a higher altitude to try and get above the fog bank.
- Land the UAS immediately while you can still maintain unaided Visual Line of Sight (VLOS). (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Land the UAS immediately while you can still maintain unaided Visual Line of Sight (VLOS).
UK regulations, outlined in CAP 722 and the Air Navigation Order, mandate that the remote pilot must maintain direct, unaided Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) with their UAS at all times in the Open Category. If weather conditions like fog compromise VLOS, the only legal and safe action is to land immediately while it is still possible to see the aircraft. Relying on FPV or automated functions without being able to see the aircraft is a breach of this core requirement.
Question 3: When using a visual observer during an A2 operation to help scan the airspace, which statement accurately reflects the remote pilot's responsibilities according to UK CAA guidance?
- The observer becomes the legally responsible person for the flight while they are actively scanning.
- The use of an observer allows the remote pilot to focus solely on the camera feed (FPV).
- The remote pilot must always maintain direct, unaided VLOS themselves, using the observer as an additional aid. (Correct answer)
- The remote pilot can temporarily fly Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) as long as the observer can see the UAS.
Correct answer: The remote pilot must always maintain direct, unaided VLOS themselves, using the observer as an additional aid.
The use of a visual observer is a tool for enhanced situational awareness, not a method to transfer responsibility or circumvent the VLOS rule. CAP 722 clarifies that the remote pilot in command (RPIC) must always be able to maintain direct VLOS with the UAS. The observer acts as an extra pair of eyes to spot hazards, but the ultimate responsibility and the requirement for the RPIC to maintain VLOS remain unchanged.
Question 4: During a flight, your UAS control screen displays a persistent 'Compass Error' warning. Although the UAS appears to be flying normally in its current position, what is the most prudent course of action?
- Ignore the warning and complete the mission, as the GPS is still functioning.
- Land the UAS at the earliest safe opportunity to investigate and resolve the issue on the ground. (Correct answer)
- Attempt an in-air recalibration sequence using the controller functions.
- Continue flying but avoid using any automated functions like Return to Home.
Correct answer: Land the UAS at the earliest safe opportunity to investigate and resolve the issue on the ground.
A compass error indicates a fundamental problem with the UAS's navigational ability. While it may seem to fly normally in GPS mode, the error could cause unpredictable behaviour, especially if the GPS signal is degraded or during automated functions. Good airmanship dictates landing as soon as safely possible to diagnose the problem on the ground and perform a calibration away from any potential sources of magnetic interference before flying again.
Question 5: Immediately after completing a flight under A2 CofC rules, which of the following details is considered best practice and is recommended by the CAA to be recorded in the remote pilot's flight log?
- The number of photographs taken and the client's name.
- The pilot's emotional state and a rating of the flight's success.
- The make/model of the UAS, location, flight duration, and any significant incidents. (Correct answer)
- The remaining battery percentage and the memory card's available space.
Correct answer: The make/model of the UAS, location, flight duration, and any significant incidents.
While not a strict legal requirement for the Open Category, the CAA strongly recommends maintaining a flight log for safety, maintenance tracking, and professional accountability. The core components of a useful log entry include the date, location, UAS used (make, model, registration), remote pilot's name, take-off/landing times (to calculate duration), and a section for notes on any unusual behaviour or incidents observed during the flight.
Question 6: You are the remote pilot for an A2 operation and need to hand over control of the UAS in-flight to another suitably qualified remote pilot standing next to you. What is the most critical procedural step to ensure a safe and successful handover?
- Ensure the second pilot has their own Operator ID registered with the CAA.
- Physically pass the controller only when the UAS is in a stable hover at a safe altitude.
- Complete a positive, three-way communication exchange: "You have control," "I have control," "You have control." (Correct answer)
- Brief the second pilot on the mission status and remaining battery life before the handover.
Correct answer: Complete a positive, three-way communication exchange: "You have control," "I have control," "You have control."
The principle of a positive control handover is a standard safety procedure in all forms of aviation to eliminate any ambiguity about who is in command. To avoid any confusion, a clear, three-way communication protocol must be used. The pilot relinquishing control states "You have control." The pilot taking control states "I have control." The first pilot confirms this by restating "You have control." This ensures both parties are aware of the precise moment the change in command occurs.
A2 CofC - Drone Certificate of Competency In-Flight Procedures Questions and Answers
You are conducting an A2 operation when a large, territorial bird, such as a gull or bird of prey, begins to circle and dive aggressively towards your UAS.
What is the most appropriate and safest immediate response?