The Encyclopedia
of the 2026 Remote Pilot Exam
Welcome to the absolute reference for the drone remote pilot exam. Since January 1, 2026, EASA and DGAC have revolutionized regulations. Discover the exact data, real budgets, and the full syllabus to pass your certification on the first try.
Which Pilot Are You?
The Enthusiast (Leisure)
Sunday aerial photography, vacations, and flights over isolated landscapes. What you need:
The Independent
Audiovisuel, wedding, real estate. You fly closer to homes and non-involved persons.
The Industrial Expert
BTP, thermal inspections, security. Complex missions in urban areas or beyond visual line of sight (STS scenarios).
The Great Certification Table
Updated EASA 2026 official exam structure.
| Level / Certification | Questions | Duration | Success Threshold | Modality & Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1/A3 (Open) | 40 | 60 min | 75% (30/40) | Free • AlphaTango |
| A2 (BAPD) | 30 | 45 min | 75% (23/30) | 30€ • Océane Center |
| CATS (Pro) | 60 | 90 min | 75% (45/60) | 30€ • Océane Center |
Real Investments (2026 Budget)
Drone industry cost details, no surprises.
DGAC Administrative Fees
30€ / attempt
Required for BAPD & CATS. Free for A1/A3.
Practical Training (CATS)
500€ to 1200€
Mandatory for Specific operations. Evaluated by an approved center.
Drone Liability Insurance
~150€ / year (Pro)
Around 50€/year for leisure. Essential and mandatory except for domestic flights.
Operator Registration
Free
Mandatory on the AlphaTango platform regardless of status.
Detailed CATS Syllabus
The Specific Certificate is demanding. Here is the exact mapping of the 60 questions in the exam.
Regulation & SORA
Rights, duties, and logic of the European risk management methodology.
Operational Procedures
Mission preparation, MANEX, and strict mastery of STS-01/02 scenarios.
Meteorology & Aerology
Clouds, wind gradient, impact of density variations in urban environments.
UAS Knowledge & Energy
Electrical basics, propulsion, LiPo batteries, and transmission systems.
Human Performance
Fatigue, stress, cognitive biases, and vision (impact of alcohol/medications).
U-Space & Remote ID
U-Space services, electronic remote identification, and traffic management.
The 4 Major 2026 Regulation Changes
End of National Scenarios
The old French S1, S2, and S3 scenarios disappear definitively. Moving to standard European scenarios (STS-01 for urban view, STS-02 for beyond-visual-view) is the only norm.
Mandatory CE Marking
No more complexity with unclassified drones. Mandatory CE marking classes (C0 to C6) are effective for any newly marketed aircraft, facilitating their operation categorization.
U-Space Integration
Dense airspaces become U-Space zones, requiring digital services to coordinate massive drone and manned aircraft traffic (USSP).
Remote ID (Remote Identification)
Electronic remote identification becomes a central imperative for flying, allowing authorities to read the operator number and the live trajectory of any UAS in flight.
Administrative "Day J" Checklist
Don't get turned away at the entrance of the DGAC Océane exam center due to lack of preparation.
Printed invitation (Paper format is often required).
Valid ID (ID card, Passport).
Proof of fee payment (Taken from the Océane Portal).
Arrive STRICTLY 15 minutes before the exam time.
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