Specific category — STS-02
STS-02 — BVLOS Operations
Fly a C6 drone beyond visual line of sight in sparsely populated areas — long-range inspections, mapping, and corridor surveys that no Open category certificate can cover. Requires practical training with an approved centre.
Drone class
C6 — up to 25 kg
Operation type
BVLOS
Area
Sparsely populated only
Max height
120 m AGL
Prerequisites
A1/A3 + STS theory
Practical training
Approved centre required
What STS-02 allows
Beyond visual line of sight — fly further than the pilot can physically see, tracked by a trained ground observer or technical detection means
Long-range corridor missions — pipeline, powerline, railway, and road infrastructure inspection across distances impossible to cover within VLOS
Large-area mapping and surveys — agriculture, forestry, topographic surveys, and environmental monitoring over large sparsely populated zones
C6 drones up to 25 kg — heavier, longer-endurance platforms capable of carrying sensors, cameras, and payloads for professional missions
Who uses STS-02?
Energy & utilities
Powerline, pipeline, and wind farm inspection
Precision agriculture
Crop monitoring, spraying, yield mapping
Mapping & surveying
Topographic, land, and environmental surveys
Transport infrastructure
Railway, road, and bridge corridor inspection
Forestry & environment
Forest inventory, wildfire monitoring, biodiversity
Search & rescue support
Area search in rural and remote terrain
What drone do I need?
STS-02 requires a C6 class drone bearing the official EU C6 class identification label. Here is what defines a C6 drone:
Legacy drones without a C6 label are not eligible for STS-02 regardless of their specifications. Verify that your aircraft carries the EU C6 label before booking any practical training.
How to get your STS-02 declaration
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1
Hold a valid A1/A3 certificate
Required before any STS exam. Free and fully online — takes a few days to prepare.
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2
Pass the STS theory exam
A single theory exam unlocks both STS-01 and STS-02. Taken on your national aviation authority's platform — cost and format vary by country.
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3
Complete STS-02 practical training
Book a practical training session with an approved training organisation (DTO or ATO). The assessment covers C6 drone handling, BVLOS procedures, ground observer coordination, contingency management, and the specific STS-02 operational requirements.
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4
Receive your STS-02 declaration of competency
Once you pass the practical, the approved training centre issues your STS-02 declaration. Valid for 5 years across all 31 EASA member states.
Practical training
Find a training centre near you
STS-02 practical training must be completed with an EASA-approved organisation — a Declared Training Organisation (DTO) or Approved Training Organisation (ATO) specifically approved for BVLOS operations. Not all centres cover STS-02 — verify their approval before booking.
DTO
Declared Training Organisation
Most common for STS-02. Lighter regulatory approval. Confirm they hold specific BVLOS and STS-02 approval, as not all DTOs cover it.
ATO
Approved Training Organisation
Full EASA approval. Often operate larger fleets including C6-class aircraft, which can be useful if you don't yet own a compliant drone.
Training centre directory coming soon
We are building a searchable directory of approved STS-02 training centres by country. In the meantime, use the official EASA register.
Find approved centres on EASA ↗Frequently asked questions
What exactly does STS-02 allow?
STS-02 allows you to fly a C6 drone (up to 25 kg) beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) in sparsely populated areas, with a trained ground observer tracking the aircraft. This enables long-range operations — pipeline inspection, large-area mapping, corridor surveys — that are physically impossible to conduct within VLOS range. The operation must take place in areas with low population density and away from gatherings of people.
What is the role of the ground observer?
In STS-02, a trained ground observer (or equivalent technical detection means) is required to maintain awareness of the drone's position and the surrounding airspace when the remote pilot cannot see the aircraft directly. The observer communicates with the pilot to alert them of any air traffic or hazards. The observer must be trained specifically for this role and the C6 drone must support a low-speed detection mode (≤ 3 m/s) to aid observation.
What qualifies as a "sparsely populated area" for STS-02?
EASA defines a sparsely populated area as a zone where the population density and the presence of people on the ground is low enough to reduce ground risk to an acceptable level. In practice, this means rural areas, farmland, forests, and similar environments — not urban zones, suburban streets, or areas near gatherings of people. You must assess the area before each flight and confirm it qualifies. Your DTO or ATO will train you in making this risk assessment correctly.
Can I use my existing drone for STS-02?
Only if it carries an EU C6 class identification label. Legacy drones — regardless of weight or BVLOS capability — are not eligible for STS-02. C6 drones must also include network remote ID, geo-awareness, and a low-speed mode (≤ 3 m/s) for ground observer detection. If your aircraft is not C6-labelled, you will need a compliant drone before taking the practical assessment. Some training centres can provide a C6 aircraft for the assessment itself — check before booking.
How long does the STS-02 practical training take?
STS-02 practical training is typically more intensive than STS-01, often spanning two to four days. It includes BVLOS flight procedures, ground observer coordination, contingency and emergency management, and the hands-on assessment in a sparsely populated area. Duration and pricing vary by centre — contact your chosen DTO or ATO for details.
Do I need both STS-01 and STS-02?
Not necessarily. STS-01 and STS-02 cover completely different operational needs — VLOS in populated areas versus BVLOS in sparsely populated areas. Choose based on your missions. If you need both (for example, urban inspections and rural corridor surveys), you can obtain both declarations using the same theory certificate. Each requires only its own practical assessment.