EC
Electronic Conspicuity. An term for a range of technologies that transmit the position of the host aircraft to other airspace users operating compatible equipment
PDRA
Pre-Determined Risk Assessment. A set of circumstances that have been predefined and allow a simple declaration by the pilot in order to fly within.
STS
Standard Scenario. Standard scenarios are meant to simplify the activities required to the UAS operators. They are defined types of UAS operation in the ‘specific’ category, for which mitigation measures have been determined after a risk assessment is carried out by EASA or by the competent authority
GVC
General VLOS Certificate (Visual Line of Sight). This is the most likely direct replacement for the PfCO. The GVC is a remote pilot competency certificate which provides a single qualification that is suitable for VLOS operations within the Specific category. The GVC is acceptable for all VLOS operations conducted under a published STS (standard scenario) or PDRA (pre-determined risk assessment) and, in most circumstances, it will be considered an acceptable level of remote pilot competency within an operational risk assessment [...]
A2 CofC
A2 Certificate of Competency. The new certification under EASA legislation. The A2 CofC is a remote pilot competency certificate primarily intended to assure safe operations of unmanned aircraft close to uninvolved persons. The certificate assures an appropriate knowledge of the technical and operational mitigations for ground risk (the risk of a person being struck by the unmanned aircraft
RAE
Recognised Assessment Entity. This is the replacement term for NQE under the new EASA legislation given to organisations who train and issue CAA-recognised certificates to drone operators
VTOL
Vertical Take Off and Landing. Multi rotor craft, as opposed to fixed wing, offer the advantage of being able to take off and land on the spot rather than requiring the space of a runway.
UAS / UAV
Unmanned Aerial System / Vehicle. Another term for a drone.
AUW
All Up Weight. The total weight of the vehicle, including all necessary parts.
SUAS
Small Unmanned Aerial System. One of the very many alternative terms for a drone.
