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A2 CofC: UK 30m vs 5m Rules for Wye Valley Drone Work

October 15, 2026
A2 CofC: UK 30m vs 5m Rules for Wye Valley Drone Work

The A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC) is a UK CAA qualification that lets drone pilots fly in the Open A2, or Near People, subcategory, which allows closer horizontal flight near uninvolved people than standard rules permit. It does not allow overflight of people who are not part of the flight. Getting one means holding a Flyer ID, completing practical training, then sitting an invigilated theory test.

TL;DR:

  • A2 separation is 30 metres, or 5 metres in verified low speed mode, for UK2 drones and qualifying legacy drones under 2 kg marketed before January 1, 2026.
  • Start with a UK CAA Flyer ID, then log self directed practical training, declare completion to a Recognised Assessment Entity, and take its theory test.
  • The test has at least 30 multiple choice questions, lasts 75 minutes, and requires 75%; it covers meteorology, aircraft performance, and ground risk.
  • The certificate lasts five years, but paid pilots also need separate third party liability insurance and should confirm their policy meets the 2005 regulations.
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Table of Contents

Overview: purpose and regulatory basis of the A2 CofC

The A2 CofC exists to prove a pilot understands the risks of flying closer to people and can manage them safely. It is a competency-based certificate, not a licence tied to a specific drone or job, and it sits under the CAA's Open category framework, specifically the Near People (A2) subcategory.

A few facts define how the system works:

  • Private, CAA-approved Recognised Assessment Entities (RAEs) run the training and exam, not the CAA directly.
  • The certificate is valid for five years from the date it is issued.
  • It applies specifically to operations in the Near People (A2) subcategory rather than general drone flying.

What you can do with an A2 CofC: permitted operations and limits

Holding an A2 CofC changes how close you can legally fly to people you are not working with, often called uninvolved people. Without it, standard Open category rules keep you much further back. With it, you can reduce that gap considerably, though overflight of uninvolved people is still off limits no matter which certificate you hold.

  • Minimum horizontal separation from uninvolved people is 30 metres, or 5 metres if the drone is in a verified low-speed mode.
  • You must never fly directly over people who are not involved in or consenting to the operation.
  • Eligible aircraft are UK2 (C2) class drones, or legacy machines under 2 kg placed on the market before 1 January 2026.

Flying 5 metres from a garden fence instead of 30 metres is the practical difference an A2 CofC makes for a property shoot, letting a pilot capture a house frontage or roofline tightly without encroaching on neighbouring gardens where people are present, according to UAS.OPEN.030. For roof inspections, this means circling a property closely to capture detailed imagery while staying off the airspace directly above anyone on the ground.

Who should get an A2 CofC and why it matters for commercial pilots

Two groups tend to need this certificate. Hobbyists who want to fly closer to built-up areas or gatherings benefit from the extra permission, while small commercial operators, such as property photographers, roof inspectors and local event filmers, often find it essential for jobs near houses, streets or venues.

  • Hobbyist pilots flying in parks, villages or near footpaths where people are regularly present.
  • Property and inspection pilots who need to work close to buildings without disturbing occupants or neighbours.
  • Event filmers covering weddings or local gatherings where guests are nearby but not part of the flight.

The certificate supports safer operations near people, but it never permits overflight, and for paid work it sits alongside a separate legal requirement for third-party liability insurance.

Step-by-step pathway to obtaining the A2 CofC (UK-focused)

The process has a fixed order, and skipping ahead causes most of the delays candidates run into.

  1. Hold a valid UK CAA Flyer ID before starting anything else.
  2. Complete a self-directed practical training course and keep a log of what you covered.
  3. Declare your practical training completion to a Recognised Assessment Entity.
  4. Sit the additional theory test at that RAE, either online or on paper.
  5. Receive your certificate once the RAE confirms you have passed.

The practical training stage is self-directed, meaning there is no mandatory instructor-led flight assessment, but you are expected to genuinely practise manoeuvring, emergency procedures and risk awareness before declaring completion. A common mistake is booking the theory test before finishing this stage properly, which usually shows up as lower confidence with the risk-assessment questions.

Pro Tip: Log your practical training sessions with dates and what you practised, since some RAEs ask for this before accepting your declaration.

Illustrated sequence of drone practice log entries

Course format, the theory test and validity of the A2 CofC

The theory test is closed-book and delivered by your chosen RAE, either online or on paper, depending on which provider you pick.

  • The exam has a minimum of 30 multiple-choice questions and runs for 75 minutes.
  • A pass requires a mark of 75% or higher.
  • Topics cover meteorology, UAS performance and how to mitigate ground risk near people.

At least 30 questions, 75 minutes, 75% pass mark: these are the fixed parameters set by the CAA for every RAE delivering the exam, so the format does not vary by provider even though the booking process might. Once you pass, the certificate is valid for five years, after which you will need to requalify through an RAE again.

Operational rules to follow in practice and how drone classes affect what you may do

The regulation behind Near People (A2) flying, UAS.OPEN.030, sets out who can fly and with what equipment. Operations must be conducted by a remote pilot holding the certificate of competency, and the aircraft itself has to meet specific class requirements.

  • Aircraft must carry a UK2 class mark, meaning they comply with the relevant manufacturer standard, or fall under the legacy allowance for machines under 2 kg placed on the market before 1 January 2026.
  • Pilots are expected to understand geo-awareness features and remote identification where the aircraft supports them.
  • Older drones without a class mark may still qualify under the legacy route, but this depends on weight and market date rather than age alone.

For a property shoot, this means checking your drone's class mark before relying on A2 separation distances, since flying a non-qualifying machine at 5 metres from people would breach the rules even with a valid certificate. Roof inspection work benefits particularly, since closer orbit distances around a building are only lawful once both the pilot's qualification and the aircraft's class line up.

Insurance obligations and using the A2 CofC for paid work

Third-party liability insurance is a separate legal requirement, not something the A2 CofC covers. Commercial pilots should check the insurance requirements that apply to their work and confirm their policy with their insurer, including the Civil Aviation (Insurance) Regulations 2005.

  • Confirm with your insurer in writing that the policy meets the 2005 Regulations before taking paid bookings.
  • Keep proof of current cover accessible, since clients and site owners increasingly ask to see it before a shoot.
  • Mention insurance status in client quotes alongside the A2 CofC, so commercial customers can verify both at a glance.

A valid A2 CofC demonstrates piloting competency, but it says nothing about liability cover, and treating the two as interchangeable is a frequent misunderstanding among newer commercial pilots.

Publisher perspective: how the A2 CofC supports our operations

We fly every job at Wye Valley Aerial Imaging under a valid A2 CofC and full third-party insurance, and that combination shapes how we approach property and inspection work day to day. Flying closer to a roofline or a building frontage without breaching separation rules means sharper, more useful stills and footage for sellers, agents and roofers, without a ladder in sight.

— Rhys

Get compliant aerial photography and inspections in the Wye Valley

We operate under a valid A2 CofC with full insurance and follow CAA flight planning procedures on every booking, so clients across the Wye Valley get aerial work done properly from the first flight.

Wyeaerialimaging

Our services cover a range of needs:

  • Property stills for sales listings or portfolios.
  • Stills and a short film combined for a fuller presentation.
  • Half-day or full-day sessions for larger sites, hotels or events.
  • Roof and building checks that replace ladder access with closer, A2-compliant drone passes.

Check our area coverage or request a free quote to get a fixed price before booking.

FAQ

Is an A2 CofC worth getting?

For anyone wanting to fly closer to people, including property photographers and roof inspectors, it is often worth the time since it reduces the separation distance from 30 metres down to as little as 5 metres. The value depends on how often you need to work near occupied buildings or public areas.

How do I get an A2 CofC?

You need a valid UK CAA Flyer ID first, then self-directed practical training that you log yourself, followed by declaring that training to a Recognised Assessment Entity and sitting their theory test. Passing the exam, which requires 75% or higher, leads to the RAE issuing your certificate.

Where can I fly with an A2 CofC?

You can fly in the Open A2, or Near People, subcategory, keeping at least 30 metres from uninvolved people or 5 metres in verified low-speed mode, but you still cannot fly directly over anyone not involved in the operation. This typically covers residential streets, gardens and similar settings where people are nearby but not overhead.

How much does an A2 CofC cost?

Costs vary by which Recognised Assessment Entity you choose for training materials and the theory test booking, so there is no single fixed UK-wide price. Beyond the certificate itself, commercial pilots also need to budget for third-party liability insurance, which is a separate ongoing cost.

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