New · German course starts October 2026
STS drone licence online
Your EU remote pilot certificate STS for STS-01 and STS-02 – course and official exam 100 % online with examination centre DE.PStF.008, approved by the LBA (German Federal Aviation Office).
The English version of the course is in preparation.
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- ✓Valid across the EU
- ✓Exam from home
- ✓Unlimited retakes
From €299 for A2 holders · See prices ↓
Sample – the certificate is issued by the LBA (German Federal Aviation Office).
In brief
What is the STS remote pilot certificate?
The EU remote pilot certificate STS is the theory qualification for drone operations in the European standard scenarios STS-01 and STS-02 of the specific category – in other words, wherever the open category (A1/A3, A2) is no longer enough. You earn it by passing a theory exam at an examination centre designated by the LBA; the certificate is issued by the LBA and is valid for 5 years.
Self-check · 30 seconds
Do you need STS – or is A2 enough?
Three questions about your planned operations. An honest answer guaranteed – even if it’s “A2 is enough”.
Do you want to fly beyond your direct visual line of sight (BVLOS)?
For example, corridor inspections or surveying large areas in sparsely populated regions.
Do you want to use a drone over 4 kg (up to 25 kg) in populated areas?
In the open category, you may only fly heavy drones far away from people and residential areas.
Do you need an operational authorisation (PDRA/SORA), or does your client require an STS qualification?
The STS theory is often required here as proof of qualification.
Answer the three questions
You’ll instantly see here which licence fits your operations.
Guidance only, not legal advice. What counts are the specific operating conditions of your operation.
Who it’s for
When your job goes beyond the open category
STS is for everyone who works with their drone – not just takes nice pictures.
STS-02 · BVLOS
Surveying & mapping
Large areas in sparsely populated regions – up to 1 km beyond line of sight, up to 2 km with airspace observers.
STS-01 · STS-02
Inspection
Roofs, bridges, solar farms, wind turbines and power lines – with heavier drones and specialised sensors.
STS-01 · populated areas
Construction & documentation
Construction progress in the middle of the city – within a controlled ground area.
STS-01
Film & advertising
Professional footage with large cameras in built-up areas.
Training standard
Emergency services & security
Many fire brigades and public authorities use STS as the training standard for their drone teams.
For the curious
Simply know it all
Even without a specific job: learn what professional pilots know – the logical next step after your A2.
Comparison
A2, STS-01 and STS-02 at a glance
One STS course covers both standard scenarios. The differences lie in the drone class, visual line of sight (VLOS) and surroundings.
| Merkmal | A2 (offene Kategorie) | STS-01 | STS-02 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drohnenklasse | C2 (bis 4 kg) | C5 (oder C3 mit C5-Zubehörkit) | C6 |
| Sicht | In Sichtweite (VLOS) | In Sichtweite (VLOS) | Außerhalb der Sichtweite (BVLOS): bis 1 km, mit Luftraumbeobachtern bis 2 km |
| Umgebung | 30 m zu Unbeteiligten, im Langsamflug 5 m | Kontrollierter Bodenbereich, auch in besiedeltem Gebiet | Kontrollierter Bodenbereich in dünn besiedeltem Gebiet |
| Max. Höhe | 120 m | 120 m | 120 m |
| Max. Startmasse | unter 4 kg | unter 25 kg | unter 25 kg |
| Vor dem Flug | – | Betriebserklärung beim LBA | Betriebserklärung beim LBA |
A2 / STS-01
STS-02
STS-02 + observers
The full path
Everything you need to fly STS
The certificate is one building block. So you can plan properly, here’s the whole path – honest and in the right order.
- 1
Before the exam
A1/A3 or A2
Already have A2? Then you’re all set. Otherwise, the A1/A3 certificate is enough – you only need it when you register for the exam, so you can start right away. We’ll show you step by step how to get it online from the LBA. Minimum age: 16.
- 2
With Copteruni
Theory & exam
STS course and official online theory exam with DE.PStF.008. The certificate is issued by the LBA.
- 3
Practical
Practical training
Practical skills training with assessment at an entity recognised by the LBA – for each scenario.
- 4
Operations
Drone & declaration
A class C5 (STS-01) or C6 (STS-02) drone – there are now numerous models (as of 09/2026) – and the operational declaration to the LBA.
In preparation Copteruni’s own practical training – coming soon.
The course
How you learn with us – just like in pilot training
We’re not a licence mill. Short videos, instant knowledge checks and real people when you have questions – so you can actually do it afterwards.
STS course · 8 modules
Ground risks: contingency volume & area
Copteruni Campus
More than 10,000 pilots in the community
Learn on any device
Phone, tablet or laptop
Ask right in the video
Jan answers in the lesson
8 modules, short videos
Short video lessons based on the LBA’s official syllabus. Learn at your own pace, on any device.
A quiz after every video
Test your knowledge right after each lesson – so you instantly see where you’re confident and what you should review.
Ask the Coach – every week
A weekly live Q&A with our trainers – for everything no video covers.
Cheat sheets & checklists
The key content in a compact download – for the exam and for operations in the field.
Support in minutes
Personal support – usually within a few minutes during business hours.
Lifetime access
No expiry date. Includes a free refresher every 5 years.
Copteruni Campus – your community
More than 10,000 drone pilots who learned with us. Exclusive to course participants: connect, ask questions, share experiences, jobs and equipment.
Bonus · in preparation
Study guide as a book
The entire course to read: free as a download, printed at close to cost price.
Bonus · in preparation
SORA module
How to approach an operational authorisation under SORA. Free for you as soon as it’s available.
Bonus · in preparation
Operations manual
Step by step to your own operations manual. Free for you as soon as it’s available.
The exam
At the end: the official online exam
You book your slot online and take the exam from home – supervised by real people. You’ll need a PC or laptop with a webcam and microphone, Chrome or Edge, a smartphone and a stable internet connection.
60
questions in 60 minutes
75 %
to pass
∞
retakes included
8
subject areas
Instant result
No waiting for days
Live help
Technical problem? Your attempt isn’t lost
Assessed fairly
No AI wrongly flagging you – people decide
- Air law12 questions
- Mitigating ground risks10 questions
- Operational procedures10 questions
- General UAS knowledge7 questions
- Mitigating air risks6 questions
- Meteorology6 questions
- Flight performance5 questions
- Human performance4 questions
- Total exammin. 60 questions
Airline pilot · Flight instructor · Drone pilot
Your coach
From a pilot who flies every day
“Honestly: STS isn’t rocket science. I’ll explain everything the way I’d explain it to a good friend at the airfield – clearly, without the legal fog, and with everything you really need out there. And the most important thing I learned in the cockpit: if you’re well prepared, you stay relaxed.”
Jan Evers · Airline pilot, certified flight instructor, electrical engineer (M.Sc.) and founder of Copteruni
What people say about Copteruni
What pilots say about our training
Real Google reviews from real customers.
★★★★★
“By practitioners, for real-world operations. The Copteruni team teaches the essentials concisely and to the point. I had especially underestimated the topic of airspace before …”
Patrick Ritter
Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Bad Soden a. Ts.
★★★★★
“A great addition to my existing pilot licence. A good online question bank, great explanatory videos, well structured and practical.”
Martin Rinderknecht
Pilot & CEO, DIGICOPTER®
★★★★★
“Clearly structured, difficult topics well explained and always focused, with a personal tone. At times I felt like I was in an interactive classroom session.”
Kai Behning
Pilot, FIZpix
Price
Everything included. One price.
Course, official exam and lifetime access for STS-01 and STS-02. If you already have A2, you save €150.
Do you already have an A2 drone licence?
€449
Complete STS theory – for everyone with A1/A3
or 3 monthly instalments of €159
Early Bird at launch: €399 for 72 hours from launch – then €449.
- ✓STS course for STS-01 and STS-02
A2 drone licence included
- ✓Official online theory exam with DE.PStF.008
- ✓Unlimited exam retakes
- ✓Lifetime access + refresher every 5 years
- ✓Personal support & weekly Ask the Coach
- ✓14-day money-back & pass guarantee
- ·Bonus in preparation: SORA, operations manual, book (download)
Price for holders of a valid A2. You only need to show proof when you register for the exam.
Plus the LBA issuing fee: €30 – set by the LBA.
For companies: payment by invoice available.
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Still unsure? Try it for free first.
The complete air law module for free – so you can see how the course is structured before you book.
„Ich hatte teilweise das Gefühl, in einer interaktiven Schulung im Klassenzimmer zu sein und nicht allein in einer Online-Schulung. Wirklich großartig!““At times I felt like I was in an interactive classroom session rather than alone in an online course. Really great!”
Kai BehningPilot · FIZpixNo risk
Zero risk for you
14-day money-back
If the course isn’t right for you, you get your money back.
Pass guarantee
You get as many exam attempts as you need – at no extra cost.
Fair to existing customers
Already a customer and paid the regular price? Write to us – we’ll refund the difference.
For teams, companies and emergency services
Want to qualify a whole team?
It’s easy: enrol all participants at once, manage access centrally and pay conveniently by invoice – at individual team prices.
or directly: info@copteruni.com · +49 32 221099362
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the STS drone licence
Brauche ich für den STS-Kurs einen A2-Drohnenführerschein?
No. You can start the course right away. To register for the exam, you need either your A2 certificate or the A1/A3 certificate (online from the LBA – we’ll show you how), and you must be at least 16. If you already hold a valid A2, you pay less for the same course.
Ist das ein Kurs für STS-01 und STS-02?
Yes. One course, one exam, one certificate – for both standard scenarios. Only the practical part is separate for each scenario.
Warum zahle ich mit A2 weniger – bekomme ich dann eine kürzere Prüfung?
No, in Germany there is only one standard STS exam with at least 60 questions. You pay less because you already know the A2 material. You provide proof of your valid A2 when you register for the exam.
Was passiert mit meinem A2 und A1/A3?
You get a new certificate that automatically includes your previous licences. A1/A3 and A2 then take on the expiry date of your STS certificate – so another full 5 years.
Wie läuft die Online-Prüfung ab?
You book your slot online and take the exam from home, supervised by real people. It takes 60 minutes. You get your result instantly, and if you run into technical problems, the supervisor helps you right away – your attempt isn’t lost. You’ll need a PC or laptop with a webcam and microphone, Chrome or Edge, a smartphone and a stable internet connection. The pass mark is 75 %.
Darf ich nach bestandener Prüfung direkt im STS fliegen?
Not quite. You also need practical skills training at a recognised practical training entity, a class C5 or C6 drone and the operational declaration to the LBA. You’ll find the complete path further up this page.
Wie lange ist das STS-Zeugnis gültig?
5 years. After that, you prove your knowledge again – the refresher is included in our course at no extra cost.
Darf ich mit STS außerhalb der Sichtweite (BVLOS) fliegen?
Yes, in standard scenario STS-02: up to 1 km from the remote pilot, up to 2 km with airspace observers – over a controlled ground area in a sparsely populated region and with a class C6 drone. In STS-01, by contrast, you always fly within visual line of sight (VLOS).
Kann ich STS mit meiner Drohne ohne C5- oder C6-Klasse nutzen?
Not in a standard scenario: for STS-01 you need a class C5 drone, for STS-02 a class C6 drone. With other drones, such as many DJI models, you fly in the specific category under an operational authorisation (PDRA or SORA) – and the STS theory is often required as a qualification for that.
Was ist der Unterschied zwischen STS, PDRA und SORA?
In a standard scenario (STS), an operational declaration to the LBA is enough, because the rules are defined in advance. With a PDRA (pre-defined risk assessment) or a SORA (individual risk assessment), you apply for an operational authorisation – that takes more effort, but allows operations that no standard scenario covers.
Wo mache ich die praktische Schulung?
You complete the practical skills training with assessment at an entity recognised by the LBA – separately for STS-01 and STS-02. We’re currently preparing Copteruni’s own practical training.
Was kostet das STS-Zeugnis insgesamt?
Course and exam with us: €449, or €299 with a valid A2. Plus the LBA issuing fee (€30). You book the practical part separately.
Was, wenn ich durchfalle?
Then you simply try again – as often as you like, at no extra cost. That’s our pass guarantee.
Ich bin Bestandskunde und habe den normalen Preis bezahlt. Was nun?
Just email us at info@copteruni.com – we’ll refund the difference to your existing-customer price.
Gilt das Zeugnis auch in Österreich und der Schweiz?
Yes. The STS certificate is valid across the EU and is also recognised in Switzerland.
Kann mein Unternehmen auf Rechnung zahlen?
Yes. Companies and public authorities can pay by invoice, and we’re happy to make you an individual offer for teams.
Wie lange habe ich Zugriff auf den Kurs?
For life – including a free refresher every 5 years.
English version
English course: coming soon
We’re building the English version of the STS course. Questions? Email us at info@copteruni.com.
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