Sample questions
Air safety
A free preview of real exam-style questions for this topic — each with the correct answer, an explanation, and the official source it is based on.
01What does "visual line of sight" (VLOS) mean in the Open category?
- The pilot sees the aircraft unaided (corrective glasses are allowed). — Correct answer
- The pilot follows the aircraft through FPV goggles.
- The pilot knows the UAS position from a phone map.
- The pilot watches the drone through a high-resolution screen on the controller.
VLOS requires the pilot to see the aircraft with the unaided eye and to determine its attitude and direction of travel. Corrective glasses are allowed; binoculars and screens are not.
02Why must FPV flights in the Open category have an observer?
- To carry spare batteries.
- To maintain situational awareness of the airspace around the UAS. — Correct answer
- To replay the video later.
- To swap the controller if the pilot's hardware fails.
A pilot wearing FPV goggles cannot see the surrounding airspace. The observer stands next to the pilot and watches the airspace to ensure separation from other aircraft and obstacles.
03What is the maximum flight altitude in the Open category above ground?
- 50 m.
- 300 m.
- 120 m. — Correct answer
- Whatever the manufacturer's geofence allows.
The Open-category cap is 120 m above ground or water. A local UGZ can lower it, never raise it.
04Is overflight of assemblies of people allowed in the Open category?
- Yes, if the participants in the assembly have given written consent.
- Yes, if the drone is below 250 g.
- Yes, if the pilot holds an A2 competence certificate.
- No — it is not allowed in any Open subcategory. — Correct answer
The ban on overflight of assemblies is intrinsic to the Open category and applies to every subcategory and every UAS class.
Reg (EU) 2019/947 Art. UAS.OPEN.010(1)↗; Annex Part A05What is the minimum horizontal distance from uninvolved persons in A3?
- 30 m, or the 1:1 rule (≥ flight altitude). — Correct answer
- 5 m.
- 150 m.
- 50 m regardless of altitude.
A3 requires at least 30 m from uninvolved persons or the 1:1 rule — horizontal distance not less than flight altitude. 150 m is the distance from residential / commercial areas, not from individuals.
06A pilot films a coastal cliff from 400 m. The drone is barely visible — a small dot in the sky. Is VLOS maintained?
- Yes — the drone is visible, so VLOS is maintained.
- No — VLOS requires unambiguous visual control of attitude and course, not merely visibility. — Correct answer
- Yes — the manufacturer app shows the drone's position on a map.
- Only if the pilot uses binoculars.
VLOS requires the pilot to continuously and unaided determine the UAS position, altitude, speed, and direction of travel. "Barely visible" does not meet this standard — visual control must be unambiguous.
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