Free UK CAA A2 Certificate of Competency Theory Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the UK CAA A2 Certificate of Competency Theory Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1At 10:45, a remote pilot reads a 10:20 METAR while assessing a launch site. What time does its observed weather describe?

   1. A.12:20, when a two-hour period ends
   2. B.10:20, when the observation was madeCorrect answer: B
   3. C.10:45, when the report is read
   4. D.11:20, when the next hour begins

   Explanation: Met Office MAVIS: Site Specific Weather Information states: "METARs are only valid at the time they are produced" The observation is a snapshot at 10:20; it is not a forecast covering the later launch time.

   Reference: Met Office MAVIS: Site Specific Weather Information — METARs — Issue times and validity

2. 2An external payload fairing is replaced by one with twice the frontal reference area. At the same airspeed, air density and drag coefficient, how does the fairing's drag change?

   1. A.It becomes one-half of the original drag
   2. B.It becomes twice the original dragCorrect answer: B
   3. C.It becomes four times the original drag
   4. D.It becomes one-quarter of the original drag

   Explanation: "The drag equation states that drag D is equal to the drag coefficient Cd times the density rho (ρ) times half of the velocity V squared times the reference area A." With Cd, density and velocity unchanged, D2/D1 = A2/A1 = 2, so drag doubles. One-half inverts the area ratio, four squares it incorrectly, and one-quarter both squares and inverts it.

   Reference: NASA Glenn: Drag Equation — Drag Coefficient

3. 3Which visual aid is permitted within the ordinary meaning of unaided visual contact for VLOS?

   1. A.A camera zoom display
   2. B.Corrective spectaclesCorrect answer: B
   3. C.Binoculars
   4. D.A telescope

   Explanation: "This does not include corrective lenses, which may be worn." Corrective lenses are permitted; magnifying viewing equipment and camera images do not establish unaided contact.

   Reference: CAA UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947 — AMC1 Article 2(7), page 33

4. 4A pilot checks an aerodrome TAF before flying at a site 20 nautical miles away. What geographical coverage does a TAF typically describe?

   1. A.A radius of 10 nautical miles from the runway centre
   2. B.A radius of 25 nautical miles from the runway centre
   3. C.A radius of 2 nautical miles from the runway centre
   4. D.A radius of 5 nautical miles from the runway centreCorrect answer: D

   Explanation: Met Office MAVIS: Site Specific Weather Information states: "A TAF typically covers a geographical area of 5 nautical miles" The usual area is 5 NM, so the distant site needs its own weather assessment.

   Reference: Met Office MAVIS: Site Specific Weather Information — TAFs

5. 5A multirotor is hovering without climbing or descending. What must its total upward lift equal?

   1. A.An upward force equal to one-half of its weight
   2. B.An upward force equal to twice its weight
   3. C.An upward force equal to its entire weightCorrect answer: C
   4. D.An upward force equal to one-quarter of its weight

   Explanation: "In drones that fly like a helicopter, the speed of rotation of the motor must be high enough to generate enough lift to equal the drone’s weight." In a steady hover, upward lift balances the weight. Less lift gives a downward resultant; more lift gives an upward resultant.

   Reference: Traficom: UAS flight performance — How do motors work?

6. 6A drone is visible as a dot and its telemetry remains available. Which visual observation is required to meet the CAA's orientation criterion for VLOS?

   1. A.Its heading can be read on the display
   2. B.Its camera image can be viewed clearly
   3. C.Its orientation can be identified directlyCorrect answer: C
   4. D.Its dot can be followed across the sky

   Explanation: "A RP must be able to visually determine the aircraft’s orientation at all times." The pilot must be able to determine orientation visually. Tracking a dot or using telemetry/video alone does not meet that criterion.

   Reference: CAA UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947 — GM1 Article 2(7), page 34

7. 7Before a planned morning flight, a pilot reads a TAF validity group of 1306/1406. Which period does it cover?

   1. A.13:06 UTC on the 13th to 14:06 UTC on the 13th
   2. B.06:00 UTC on the 13th to 18:00 UTC on the 14th
   3. C.13:00 UTC on the 6th to 14:00 UTC on the 6th
   4. D.06:00 UTC on the 13th to 06:00 UTC on the 14thCorrect answer: D

   Explanation: Met Office MAVIS: How to decode a TAF states: "In this example, the forecast is valid from 0600 UTC on the 13th to 0600 UTC on the 14th." The first pair in each group gives the day and the second pair gives the UTC hour; the alternative ending at 18:00 extends the forecast beyond its validity.

   Reference: Met Office MAVIS: How to decode a TAF — Forecast Validity Time

8. 8A pilot commands a multirotor to change attitude. How is control normally produced?

   1. A.By changing the rotor blade pitch
   2. B.By deflecting control surfaces
   3. C.By shifting the mass distribution
   4. D.By varying the motor speedsCorrect answer: D

   Explanation: "In a multirotor drone, the drone’s steering is based on adjusting the speed of rotation of the motors" A typical multirotor varies individual motor speeds to control torque and lift. Blade-pitch control, control-surface deflection and weight shift are other real aircraft control methods.

   Reference: Traficom: UAS flight performance — How do motors work?

9. 9A pilot uses FPV goggles in the Open category with a UA observer. Where must the observer be positioned?

   1. A.At the midpoint of the route
   2. B.Beyond the remote pilot's visual range
   3. C.Alongside the remote pilotCorrect answer: C
   4. D.At the most distant waypoint

   Explanation: "The UA Observer must be situated alongside the RP" The observer is alongside the pilot, not deployed as a relay to extend the flight range.

   Reference: CAA UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947 — GM1 UAS.OPEN.060(4), page 140

10. 10A remote pilot sees PROB30 TEMPO before poorer conditions in a TAF. Which interpretation combines the two indicators correctly?

    1. A.A 30% probability of temporary poorer conditionsCorrect answer: A
    2. B.A 30% probability of persistent poorer conditions
    3. C.A 70% probability of temporary poorer conditions
    4. D.A 70% probability of persistent poorer conditions

    Explanation: "This indicates a 30% probability of the following weather conditions occurring during the forecast period." "This would indicate a temporary change in weather conditions." PROB30 gives the probability; TEMPO makes the forecast change temporary. Neither a 70% probability nor a persistent change is encoded.

    Reference: Met Office MAVIS: How to decode a TAF — Changes — Probability