A2 distance cheat sheet

30 m — the standard A2 distance

The standard A2 horizontal distance requirement: 30 m from uninvolved persons. This applies to C2-class aircraft when Low-Speed Mode is not active. Measured horizontally from the aircraft to the nearest uninvolved person — not from the pilot.

A common exam mistake: assuming the 30 m limit applies in all A2 situations. In LSM mode the limit drops to 5 m — but only if the aircraft supports LSM and it is actively engaged.

5 m — the LSM distance

Low-Speed Mode (LSM) limits aircraft speed to a prescribed level. A C2 aircraft supporting LSM may fly as close as 5 m from uninvolved persons while the mode is active.

The exam tests whether you know that LSM is not the default — it must be deliberately activated. If LSM is off, the 30 m limit applies even if the pilot thinks they are flying slowly.

1:1 rule — altitude equals lateral distance

The 1:1 rule states: horizontal distance from people must be at least equal to flight altitude. Flying at 50 m AGL means maintaining at least 50 m lateral separation.

This rule supplements, not replaces, the 30 m requirement. Practically: the higher you fly, the greater the required horizontal distance from people.

How these rules appear in exam questions

A2 scenario questions: pilot is 25 m from a person at 40 m altitude — permissible without LSM? No (30 m required). With LSM? Yes (5 m limit). Practise resolving these mini-scenarios quickly.

Another typical question: flying a C2 aircraft over uninvolved persons — permitted? Not always — check aircraft class, altitude and horizontal distance.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 30 m measured from the aircraft or from the pilot?

From the aircraft to the nearest uninvolved person. The pilot's position is irrelevant to this measurement.

Do these distance rules apply in A1 as well?

A1 has different rules: C0 without a camera — overflight of people is allowed. C1 — incidental overflight of isolated people is permitted, but not over crowds.