Is your drone pilot certificate about to expire, or has it expired already? Here is everything you need to know
With many drone pilot certificates in Spain approaching their expiry date, AESA has just published information about the renewal process.
So if you are a drone pilot and hold an A1/A3, A2 or STS theory certificate, pay close attention to its expiry date. Did you know they are valid for 5 years from the date of issue? Once that time is up, you cannot simply carry on flying as if nothing had changed.
That is why at VISTER we answer all your questions, so you can keep your certificates current and go on flying legally.
Where do I find my certificate’s expiry date?
In your profile on the AESA electronic portal. Be careful not to confuse it with the UAS operator certificate: what you need to check is the remote pilot theory certificate.
Which procedure do I need, and when?
– If your certificate is close to expiring (less than 3 months), you need a revalidation. Apply for it before your certificate expires. It is a theory test, and that is all.
– If your certificate has already expired, your only option is a renewal. In that case you have to repeat the full theory training from scratch and you will be issued a new pilot number.
Our advice: do not leave it to the last minute. If your certificate expires while the revalidation is in progress, the file is closed and you will have to go through a renewal instead.
Which of my certificates should I update?
It is worth stressing that you only need to renew or revalidate the highest-level one, because that updates the ones below it automatically.
| Level | Certificate | What happens if I update it? |
| Highest | STS | A2 and A1 are updated as well |
| Middle | A2 | A1/A3 is updated, but STS is lost |
| Basic | A1/A3 | A2 and STS are lost if you held them |
To put it plainly: if you hold A1/A3, A2 and STS and want to keep them all, revalidate the STS. If you revalidate only the A1/A3, you lose the higher ones.
How do I start the procedure?
– Renewal: if your certificate has already expired, sign up with AESA again for the training you want (A1/A3, A2 and/or STS) and complete it from scratch.
– Revalidation: apply through your AESA profile in good time and pass a multiple-choice test online before the expiry date.
Revalidation of the remote pilot theory certificate in subcategory A1/A3
Revalidation of the remote pilot theory certificates in subcategories A2 and A1/A3
Revalidation of the remote pilot theory certificates for STS and subcategories A2 and A1/A3
What does the theory test cover?
The syllabus varies with the level, but it includes subjects such as air safety, meteorology, aviation regulations, UAS flight performance and ground and air risk mitigation.
You will have at least 1 minute to answer each question, and the number of questions depends on the certificate being revalidated:
| Certificate | No. of questions |
| STS | 52 |
| A2 | 35 |
| A1/A3 | 20 |
Want to keep your certificates current without any surprises? Check your AESA profile, work out which is your highest-level certificate and act in good time. If you are unsure, at VISTER we will help you choose the right procedure and prepare for the test.
