EASA European Aviation Safety Agency
On 31st December 2020 the EU / EASA Regulations came into force. There is no distinction between Hobby and Commercial Drone Pilots.
Drone Pilots fall into two categories - Open Category and the Specified Category
The Open Category fits Professional Pilots, Hobby Pilots and Commercial flights. There are restrictions in place and are more strict than the Specified Category.
The Open Category is split into 3 Sections. Drones are split into CE Marked Classes which fall into certain Open Category Sections.
Drones will fall into classes based on their Maximum Take off Mass (MOTM) or Flying Weight.
The UK interprets the terms within the Open Category as follows:
Unmanned aircraft marked with a Class marking (C0 to C4) – MTOM will continue to be used as defined
Unmanned aircraft without a Class marking – any reference to MTOM or ‘take-off mass’ should be taken to mean the weight of the unmanned aircraft at any time while it is in flight (which will be referred to as the ‘flying weight’)
Until 31st December 2022, there is EASA transitional legislation which allows Legacy Drones to be operated in the A1 and A2 Categories. After this date all Legacy drones will be placed into the A3 Category, even with A2 CoC Training.
Legacy Drones are drones that have previously been available on the open market, presently available on the open market and any futures drones (31st December 2022,) that are not CE marked.
Under the EASA Regulations the U.K. No Fly Zones still apply to all flights and all categories.
A1 Category – Fly Over People
This Section of the Open Category was created to define the flights that you might make with toy aircraft or a lightweight drone.
Drones under 250g fall into this section.
An example here would be the DJI Mavic Mini. You could purchase this drone, read the user manual and complete the CAA Drones registration scheme ( Drone and Model Aircraft Registration and Education Service).
This is referred to as online training within CAP 1789 EASA Table, appendix D.
You only have to do this if your drone is equipped with a camera.
Your limits are:
- Max height 120m/400ft
- No dropping of articles
- No carriage of dangerous goods
- Fly over uninvolved people, but NOT over crowds
However, there is a transitional period for the U.K which means that any drone up to 500G (if the Pilot undertakes the A2 CoC Exam) can fly in this section (A1) of the Open Category.
Therefore you would build upon the steps above and complete an A2 CoC with a UK RAE.
This is a key difference from the PfCO. You can fly a Parot Anafi / Mavic Air 1 and you do not have any minimum distances to adhere to.
Your limits would be:
- Max height 120m/400ft
- No dropping of articles
- No carriage of dangerous goods
- No intentional flight over uninvolved persons
So any drone above 250g flying weight and under 500g you cannot fly over uninvolved people on purpose.
Drone Pilot insurance is mandatory with an A2 CoC
A2 – Fly Close to People
The A2 subcategory allows you to fly closer to people with heavier drones. However you will need to complete the following steps to be allowed to fly in this section of the Open Category.
Read the user manual and complete the CAA Drones registration scheme ( Drone and Model Aircraft Registration and Education Service).
This is referred to as online training within CAP 1789 EASA Table,appendix D.
Obtain an A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC), which lasts for 5 years before you have to retake the test with a UK RAE.
Drone Pilot insurance is mandatory.
Drones less than 4KG fall into this section
However, there is a transitional period for the U.K which means that any drone up to 2KG (if the Pilot undertakes the A2 CoC Exam) can fly LEGACY DRONES in this section (A2) of the Open Category until 31/12/2022.
This transitional period is to allow current drone owners to operate in this category and to give manufacturers time to build a drone and obtain CE marking / certification.
Your limits would be with a legacy drone up to 2KG:
- Max height 120m/400ft
- Maintain Visual Line of Sight
- No dropping of articles
- No carriage of dangerous goods
- No intentional flight over uninvolved persons
- You must maintain a minimum horizontal distance of 50M at all times from uninvolved people.
Your limits would be with a CE rated C2 Drone up to 4KG:
- Max height 120m/400ft
- Maintain Visual Line of Sight
- No dropping of articles
- No carriage of dangerous goods
- No intentional flight over uninvolved persons
- You must maintain a minimum horizontal distance of 30M at all times from uninvolved people.
You must maintain a minimum horizontal distance of 5M if the aircraft has been switched to a lowspeed mode – from uninvolved people.
You must abide by the 1:1 Rule at all times.
A3 – Fly Far From People
The A3 Category is there to allow you to purchase a drone and enjoy flying it. Past / present and future non CE Marked drones will all fall into this category if your drone has a Maximum Take Off Mass of over 250G, but under 25KG.
All Drone Operators in this Section of the Open Category must do the following:
- Read the user manual
- complete the CAA Drones registration scheme (Drone and Model Aircraft Registration and Education Service).
This is referred to as online training within CAP 1789 EASA Table, appendix D.
Follow the link here to register, take your test and get your Operator and Flyer ID.
Your Limits would be:
- No uninvolved people present within 50M Horizontal Separation Distance.
- No flight within 150m horizontally of residential, commercial, industrial or recreational areas
- Maintain Visual Line of Sight
- You must abide by the 1:1 Rule at all times.
So you are able to fly drones up to 25K but you must fly far from people at all times.
This means you must remain 150M from congested areas. It’s the closest thing to what was a hobby flying.
Specific Category
The Specific Category is very much like the Permission for Commercial Operations.
In order to operate in the Specific Category with any Drone you need to undertake a General Visual Line of Sight Course with a UK RAE.
This provides you with the proof of competence you will need in order to apply to the CAA for an Operational Authorisation.
PfCOs will transfer to Operational Authorisations at the point of their annual renewal after 1st January 2021.
The Specific Category is slightly more complex and will require Operational Authorisation from the CAA based on a risk assessment.