A2 CofC Certificate: Do You Need to Carry It When Flying?

Once you have earned your A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC), a practical question follows: do you need to carry it when you fly? This guide covers what to have to hand and how the certificate differs from the identification that must appear on the drone.

Two different things: the certificate and the Operator ID

It is easy to confuse the A2 CofC with the Operator ID, but they serve very different purposes.

• Operator ID is the registration number of the person responsible for the drone. It must be displayed on the aircraft itself, clearly and legibly.
• A2 CofC is your personal competency qualification. It is not displayed on the drone. Instead, it is evidence that you are entitled to fly in the A2 subcategory.

Should you carry your A2 CofC?

While the certificate is not stuck to the drone, it is good practice to be able to produce evidence of it when flying, especially in situations where you are relying on A2 subcategory privileges to fly closer to people. If questioned by an official, being able to show your qualification quickly demonstrates that you are operating lawfully.

Many pilots keep a digital copy on their phone, store it in a cloud account, or carry a printed copy in their flight bag. Any of these approaches works, as the goal is simply to have it accessible.

What else to have with you

• Flyer ID details for the remote pilot.
• Operator ID confirmation, and a check that it is correctly displayed on the drone.
• Insurance documentation if your operation requires it.
• Notes on local restrictions for your chosen flying site.

Keeping your certificate valid

The A2 CofC is valid for a fixed period and must be renewed to remain current. An expired certificate no longer entitles you to the A2 subcategory privileges, so carrying an out-of-date copy is not enough. Diary your renewal date and act before it lapses.

Summary

You do not pin your A2 CofC to the drone the way you display your Operator ID, but it is wise to keep an accessible copy when flying, particularly when using A2 privileges. Keep it valid, keep it to hand, and keep your Operator ID clearly shown on the aircraft.