European standard scenarios (EU-STS)
The European standard scenarios offer the UAS operator to operate under a set of given conditions. These conditions include, but are not limited to the type of UA, speed of flight, height above ground, distance from the remote pilot, type of ground area and type of airspace, and are designed to bare a very low risk to third parties in the air and on the ground.
The remote pilots operating under these scenarios require specific theoretical and practical knowledge, hence must pass specific examinations. More information can be found below on section 'Remote pilot qualification for operations under EU STS-01 or EU STS-02'
EU-STS-01 Requirements
The EU-STS-01 standard scenario is used for flights up to 120 meters above ground level in visual line of sight (VLOS). The flight takes place over a controlled area, i.e., only persons involved in the flight may be present in this area on the ground, and may take place over populated environment (>300ppl/km2).
Operations of an untethered UA:
Are conducted at ground speeds of less than 5m/s and within and operational volume comprising the flight geography, the contingency area (minimum 10 m beyond the limits of the flight geography, and followed by the ground risk buffer:
Minimum distance to be covered by the ground risk buffer for untethered unmanned aircraft [m]
| Maximum height above ground[m] |
with an MTOM* up to 10kg |
with an MTOM* above 10kg |
| 30 |
10 |
20 |
| 60 |
15 |
30 |
| 90 |
20 |
45 |
| 120 |
25 |
60 |
Operations of a tethered UA:
Are conducted over a controlled ground area with a radius equal to the tether length plus 5m.
Dangerous Goods (DG):
Carrying of dangerous goods is not allowed under this permit.
UA Type:
UA with class marking C5. A list of the drones with a Class Marking available on the market can be found here.
Remote Pilot requirements:
The remote pilot shall have a certificate of theoretical knowledge of the open categories A1/A3 and of EU-STS as well as having passed a practical skill assessment for STS-01.
Obtaining an EU-STS-01 permit:
- Ensure compliance with requirements of Chapter 1 of the IR (EU)2019/947 including but not limited to:
- a compliant drone;
- an operational manual according to Appendix 5; and
- remote pilots certified for STS-01
- Submit the declaration.
- FOCA issues a confirmation of reception and acceptance.
Operational Declaration form and OM template:
EU-STS-02 Requirements
The EU-STS-02 standard scenario is used for flights beyond the visual line of sight between the pilot and the UAS below 120 meters above ground level. The flight takes place over a controlled ground area, i.e., only people involved in the flight may be present in this area on the ground, in a sparsely populated environment (<300ppl/km2).
Operations without Airspace Observer (AO):
The maximum permitted distance between the pilot and the UAS is 1km if no airspace observer is used. Furthermore, the unmanned aircraft follows a pre-programmed trajectory when the UA is not in VLOS of the remote pilot.
Operations with Airspace Observer (AO):
This distance may be extended to 2km if the distance between the UAS and an airspace observer (AO) is no more than 1km at any time and the AO is no more than 1km away from the pilot.
Dangerous Goods (DG):
Carrying of dangerous goods is not allowed under this permit.
UA Type:
UA with class marking C6. A list of the drones with a Class Marking available on the market can be found here.
Remote Pilot requirements:
The remote pilot shall have a certificate of theoretical knowledge of the open categories A1/A3 and of EU-STS as well as having passed a practical skill assessment for STS-02.
Obtaining an EU-STS-02 permit:
- Ensure compliance with requirements of Chapter 2 of the IR (EU)2019/947 including but not limited to:
- Submit the declaration.
- FOCA issues a confirmation of reception and acceptance.
Operational Declaration form and OM template:
EU-STS Remote pilot qualification
As a remote pilot who operates under EU STS-01 or EU-STS-02 the following qualifications must be acquired:
Certificate of theoretical knowledge:
A certificate of theoretical knowledge additional to the A1/A3 certification. The exam consists of 40 questions, of which 75% need to be answered correctly. This exam can be taken at FOCA by choosing one of the proposed exam dates on UAS-Gate.
The remote pilot students are free to self-learn or take a course with any entity providing a course at this level. The topics to be covered can be found below or directly in the EASA EU 2019/947 regulation Attachment A.
- Costs: The theoretical exam is free.
- Validity: 5 years, upon which the exam must be taken again to revalidate the theoretical certification.
Practical Assessment
The remote pilot must obtain an accreditation of completion of the STS-01 or STS-02 practical skill training. This practical assessment must be completed with the UAS type used for the intended operations and carry the appropriate class marking necessary for the according STS.
The practical assessment can be completed with a UAS operator or a recognized entity, who declared that this practical assessment is provided according to Attachment A (2) of the EASA regulation 2019/947.
- Costs: Up to the UAS Operator or recognized entity providing the practical assessment.
- Validity: The practical skill assessment has no expiry date. The remote pilot is encouraged to maintain the skills
EU-STS Practical skill training and assessment
UAS Operators wishing to provide practical skill training according to appendix 3 of the (EU) 2019/947 regulation must fulfil the following conditions:
- Have submitted and received clearance to operate under a standard scenario
- Clearly separate between the training activities and any other operational activity
- Have the capability to adequately perform the technical and administrative activities linked with the entire task process.
- Have facilities and equipment appropriate to the task
- Have a management system with appropriate roles and responsibilities
- Have personnel with:
- Adequate technical and theoretical experience
- Training competence to conduct these assessments
- Knowledge of the requirements for the practical skill assessment
- Ability to judge the student pilot skills adequately
The UAS operator:
- must include in the operations manual a separate section covering the training elements, including the nominated examiners, chart of roles and responsibilities, the training procedures and processes, the syllabus according to the standard scenario chosen, as well as a description of the used UAS and location and environment in which the practical training takes place;
- is only allowed to train and examinate pilots who will operate under the operator’s STS declaration; and
- has following responsibilities:
- Provide a practical assessment report according to Appendix 3 paragraph (8) of the IR (EU) 2019/947 or as provided by following template to the student remote pilot: Practical skill assessment report (DOCX, 39 kB, 17.01.2024)
- Inform and provide the practical assessment report of the successful remote pilots to FOCA within two days of taking the exam.
The process:
- Ensure compliance with requirements of Appendix 3 of the IR (EU) 2019/947
- Submit the declaration
- FOCA issues a confirmation of reception and acceptance
Declaration of UAS Operator providing practical skill training & assessment of STS remote pilots
