How Long Does It Take to Prepare for the STS Exam?

Realistic Timeline

With A2 experience (recommended path):

Without A2 experience (going straight to STS):

With strong aviation background:

• 4–6 weeks, ~1 hour/day
• Weeks 1–2: STS procedures (45% of the exam)
• Weeks 3–4: remaining five topics
• Weeks 5–6: full 60/60 simulations
• 8–12 weeks
• Before STS procedures, you need to understand A1/A3 and A2 foundations
• 3–4 weeks of intensive work

Why Does STS Take Longer Than A2?

Double the questions: 60 vs. 30. Even if each question is similar in difficulty, double the volume demands double the stamina.

Procedural logic: STS procedure questions require genuine understanding, not memorisation. That takes longer to absorb.

Concentration endurance: a 60-minute exam is physically and mentally demanding — it requires training, not just knowledge.

How to Split Time Across Topics

| Topic | Exam share | Recommended time % |

|---|---|---|

| STS procedures | ~45% | 40% |

| Meteorology | ~15% | 20% |

| Airspace | ~10% | 15% |

| Batteries | ~10% | 10% |

| Human factors | ~10% | 10% |

| Regulations | ~10% | 5% |

Meteorology gets more time than its exam share because it's where most candidates have the weakest foundation.

When to Book the Exam?

Same principle as A2: only when you're hitting ≥ 80% (≥ 48 correct) in full 60/60 simulations three times in a row. The official threshold is 75% (≥ 45), but nerves on exam day typically cost 3–7%.

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*Track your STS preparation progress on A2STS — each topic separately, with error history and performance trends over time.*

---

title: "How to Pass the A2 Exam First Time"

slug: how-to-pass-a2-exam-first-time

category: a2

readTime: 5

date: 2026-05-26

description: "A concrete, week-by-week A2 preparation plan that maximises your chances of passing the TKA exam on the first attempt."

---

Most A2 exam failures come from the same root cause: people study, but not in a way that matches how the exam actually works. This guide is about strategy — not just content.

Week 1: Foundations and Orientation

The first week isn't about drilling the question bank. It's about understanding the system:

Goal: feel oriented in the system, not lost.

• Read a brief overview of the EASA open category
• Understand the difference between A1, A2, A3 subcategories
• Learn the core terminology: VLOS, UAS, C0–C4 classes, CTR, NOTAM
• Begin meteorology — not all of it, just the basics: wind speed, METAR structure, cloud distances

Weeks 2–3: Topic-Based Tests

Now the question bank — but by topic, not randomly:

Week 2: meteorology + battery safety. These are the two topics that surprise people most in the exam.

Week 3: airspace + regulations. Lots of numbers to memorise — give it time.

After each topic: run a topic test. If the result is < 75% — revisit weak areas before moving on.

Week 4: Human Factors + a Step Back

Human factors covers pilot psychology, decision-making, situational awareness. It looks "soft" but the questions can be tricky.

End of week 4: your first full 30/30 simulation with a timer. Goal — see where you are, not achieve 100%.

Weeks 5–6: Simulations and Refinement

Full simulations now — daily or every other day:

Target by end of week: ≥ 80% three times in a row.

• Always with a timer (30 min.)
• After every session — error analysis (not jumping straight to the next test)
• If the same topic keeps appearing in your mistakes — go back to the topic test

Registration and Exam Day

Register only after hitting stable results. On exam day:

Morning: light review, no new topics. Thirty minutes max.

In the exam: if a question is difficult — flag it and move on. The next one might be easy. Return at the end.

Pace rule: 30 questions in 30 minutes = 1 min/question. If you feel you're going too slowly — speed up, don't panic.

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*A2STS has every step described in this plan — topic tests, full simulations, error review, and a readiness indicator. Start free.*

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title: "Drone Laws in Lithuania 2026: What Every Pilot Must Know"

slug: drone-laws-lithuania-2026

category: regulations

readTime: 6

date: 2026-05-26

description: "EASA regulations, national aviation law, TKA rules — what applies in Lithuania and how to navigate the legal framework for drone operations."

---

The legal framework for drone flying in Lithuania is a three-tier system: EU regulations → national law → TKA rules. Each level supplements the one above. Here's how it all connects.

EU Level: EASA Regulations

The primary legislation is European Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/947 on rules and procedures for unmanned aircraft operations. It applies directly in all EU member states, including Lithuania — without any additional transposition into national law.

This regulation defines:

The second key document is Regulation (EU) 2019/945 on unmanned aircraft systems and third-country operators, establishing drone classes (C0–C6).

• The three categories: open, specific, certified
• Conditions for A1/A2/A3 subcategories
• STS scenario requirements
• Pilot qualification requirements

National Level: Lithuanian Aviation Law

The Lithuanian Law on Aviation governs airspace use and aviation activities in Lithuania. Relevant sections for drone pilots cover:

Important: even where EASA regulations permit something, Lithuania may have stricter national rules in specific contexts (e.g., particular locations or events).

• UAS operator registration
• Airspace use procedures
• Liability for violations
• TKA powers and mandate

TKA Level: Enforcement Rules

TKA (Transport Competences Agency) is Lithuania's competent authority for UAS matters. It:

TKA can also grant exceptions and special authorisations — for example, CTR zone flights or operations over restricted areas for specific purposes.

• Registers operators and pilots
• Organises exams
• Issues certificates
• Conducts oversight and imposes sanctions

The Most Practically Important Points

Registration: every UAS operator using a drone over 250g or with a camera must register with TKA. Operating unregistered is an administrative offence.

Flying under the influence: like driving a vehicle, operating a drone while impaired by alcohol or drugs is prohibited and carries penalties.

Privacy: photography/filming without consent may breach GDPR. Filming people on private property without consent — separate liability.

Insurance: third-party liability insurance is recommended (and effectively required for STS). Causing damage to third parties without insurance — full financial liability for the pilot.

What the Exam Tests in This Area

Regulations topics make up ~10–15% of A2 and STS questions, testing:

Questions aren't "quote the article" — they're scenario-based: "is this flight legal, and why?"

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*Regulations topic in A2STS has 61 questions with explanations — covering the full range of legal scenarios you'll encounter in the exam.*

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title: "Airspace in Lithuania: Zones, Restrictions and How to Read the Map"

slug: airspace-lithuania-zones-guide

category: safety

readTime: 6

date: 2026-05-26

description: "UAS geographical zones, CTR, NOTAM, air traffic services — how to read the Lithuanian airspace map and what every marking means."

---

Airspace is the topic that surprises exam candidates most. The theory seems clear, but real scenarios — "can I fly here, with this qualification, in these conditions?" — require genuine understanding.

• Category limits and conditions
• Drone registration requirements
• Insurance obligations
• Liability scenarios

How Lithuania Divides Its Airspace

Lithuanian airspace is divided vertically into several layers. For drones, the relevant layer is below FL60 (roughly 1800m). In practice, most drone operations happen below 120m AGL.

Horizontally, airspace is marked with a zone system:

Uncontrolled airspace (Class G): below 700 feet (roughly 213m) in most areas. Flights here are permitted under VFR rules and EASA requirements.

Controlled airspace (Classes C, D): around airports and along flight corridors. Requires authorisation or is prohibited.

CTR — Controlled Zones Around Airports

A CTR (Control Zone) is a cylindrically defined zone around an airport, typically 5–10 NM (9–18 km) radius. Lithuania's main CTR zones:

Drone flight in a CTR without authorisation is prohibited.

• EYVI CTR: Vilnius Airport — covers a significant part of the city
• EYKA CTR: Kaunas
• EYPA CTR: Palanga
• EYSA CTR: Šiauliai (military — especially strict)

UAS Geographical Zones

EASA defines three UAS geographical zone types:

Prohibited (U-space prohibited): absolute prohibition, no exceptions.

Restricted (U-space restricted): possible with authorisation or under specific conditions.

Conditional (U-space conditional): possible, but with additional requirements (e.g., notifying air traffic services).

NOTAM — Temporary Restrictions

NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen) announce temporary airspace changes. They can restrict flights in areas that are normally open:

NOTAMs are checked separately from the map — the official map doesn't cover them. Check via Oro Navigacija's system or the ANS (Aeronautical Information Service).

• Airshows and aviation events
• Military exercises
• VIP visits (airspace closed during state visits)
• Firefighting operations

How to Read the Map — Practical Steps

Step 1: open the Oro Navigacija UAS map or NOTAM platform

Step 2: enter coordinates or address. The map shows active zones.

Step 3: check the colour coding:

Step 4: check active NOTAMs for that day

Step 5: if a zone is yellow — find the specific conditions before flying

• Green = flight permitted
• Yellow = restrictions or authorisation needed
• Red = prohibited

Airspace Questions in the Exam

Airspace questions make up ~10–15% of the exam, mostly as scenarios:

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*Airspace topic module in A2STS has 32 questions with real-scenario explanations.*

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title: "Drone Insurance in Lithuania: When Is It Required and What Does It Cost?"

slug: drone-insurance-lithuania

category: safety

readTime: 5

date: 2026-05-26

description: "Is drone insurance mandatory in Lithuania? What EASA requires, how much third-party liability insurance costs, and what to do if something goes wrong."

---

Insurance is the topic most pilots ignore until something goes wrong. Worth understanding before, not after.

• "A pilot plans a flight at location X. The map shows CTR. What should they do?"
• "What is the minimum distance from clouds in uncontrolled airspace?"
• "A pilot receives notice of an active NOTAM nearby. How should they respond?"

Is Drone Insurance Mandatory in Lithuania?

Under the current EASA framework:

Open category (A1/A2/A3): third-party liability insurance is not legally mandatory under EASA regulations, but is strongly recommended.

Specific category (STS): insurance is effectively required — before any STS operation, the ConOps (Concept of Operations) must address risk mitigation, and insurance is a core part of that.

Commercial operations: while there's no absolute legal mandate in the open category, from a business perspective insurance is non-negotiable. If your drone causes damage to a third party, your personal financial liability could run to tens of thousands of euros.

What Type of Insurance Is Needed?

Third-Party Liability (TPL): protects against damage caused to third parties and their property. This is the core drone insurance type.

Hull insurance: covers the drone itself (damage or theft). Not required, but makes sense for commercial use.

How Much Does It Cost?

Lithuania's drone insurance market is still developing. Approximate prices:

Some insurers offer single-day cover — from €10–20 per day. Useful for occasional flyers.

• Hobbyists (annual, basic TPL): €50–150/year
• Commercial use (up to 5kg drone): €200–500/year
• STS operations: €400–1000+/year, depending on operation type

Where to Buy?

• Lithuanian insurers (Lietuvos draudimas, Gjensidige, Ergo, etc.) — not all offer specialist drone products
• European specialist drone insurers (Coverdrone, Skywatch, Flock, etc.) — more flexible options for commercial use
• Some aviation associations — membership includes basic insurance

What to Do If Something Goes Wrong

1. Document everything (photos, witnesses, timestamp)

2. Identify yourself to the affected party and provide contact details

3. Contact your insurer as soon as possible

4. Don't admit liability on the scene — that's for the insurer to determine

Important: if the incident involves airspace violations, TKA may open an investigation independently of the insurance claim.

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*Insurance and regulations are core exam topics. A2STS question bank covers the key liability and insurance scenarios you'll encounter.*

---

title: "VLOS and BVLOS: What These Terms Mean in the STS Exam"

slug: vlos-bvlos-sts-exam

category: safety

readTime: 4

date: 2026-05-26

description: "VLOS (Visual Line of Sight) and BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) — a fundamental STS exam distinction that underpins the entire STS framework."

---

Two abbreviations that appear constantly in the STS exam: VLOS and BVLOS. Understanding the difference isn't just terminology — it's the core logic of the entire STS system.

VLOS — Visual Line of Sight

VLOS means the pilot can see the drone with unaided eyes throughout the flight. Not through a screen, not through binoculars — directly.

STS-01 and STS-02 scenarios require VLOS. This means:

In practice: VLOS limits flight radius — typically up to ~500m from the pilot, depending on drone size and lighting conditions.

• The drone must be visible at all times
• No flying around buildings, trees, or other obstructions
• Night VLOS flight is possible only with specific lighting requirements

BVLOS — Beyond Visual Line of Sight

BVLOS means the drone is not visible to the pilot with the naked eye from their position. This is a significantly more complex operational category.

STS scenarios do not permit BVLOS. If you need BVLOS — that's the specific category with individual risk assessment (SORA) and competent authority authorisation.

Why Does This Matter in the Exam?

A scenario might appear: "a pilot plans an STS-01 operation, but buildings prevent them from seeing the drone for part of the route. What should they do?"

The correct answer: the operation does not meet STS-01 conditions because VLOS cannot be maintained. The pilot must change their route or position — or if that's not possible, the operation requires a different legal framework.

An Additional Term: EVLOS

EVLOS (Extended Visual Line of Sight) — VLOS supported by visual observers. Observers help maintain visual contact with the drone when direct sight from the pilot's position isn't possible.

EVLOS is used in some STS scenarios with additional requirements — observers must be trained and have a clear communication protocol with the pilot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does using binoculars count as VLOS?

No. VLOS requires unaided vision. Binoculars or camera screens — that's BVLOS.

Is FPV flight considered VLOS?

FPV (First Person View) through goggles or a screen is technically BVLOS, because you're not seeing the drone directly. FPV with VLOS is only possible with a separate observer maintaining direct visual contact.

Will BVLOS STS be possible in the future?

EASA is developing the U-space framework, which may eventually allow regulated BVLOS without individual permits. But in 2026, this is still evolving.

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*VLOS/BVLOS and STS procedure terminology — the heart of the STS exam. Learn the concepts, not just the abbreviations.*