Recreational drones: they must be registered and their pilots trained

Until then, drones weighing less than 800 g could fly without a warning device and provided they did not fly over built-up areas and respected private properties. Above 800 g, a simple online training was required. Only drones above this threshold had to be declared. The European regulations applicable in all EU Member States replace national aviation safety regulations on drones.

Creating new categories

European regulations create three categories according to the level of risk they represent:

• Open

  for low-risk operations (direct visual flight in geographical areas that pose a low risk to air traffic and persons);

• Specific

  for moderate risk operations (flight in direct or out-of-sight under conditions other than the category

  open

  );

• Certified

  for high-risk operations requiring a high level of reliability of the aircraft and operations (e.g. transport of persons, dangerous goods, etc.)

A drone marked CE allows you to fly in

Open category

, which means low-risk. In particular, you can use it from the age of 14 if you want to fly a drone for leisure or competition (aeromodelism). In

Open category

, there are now 3 subcategories that group drone classes according to their weight:

• Category A1:
  
  • Class C0 drones under 250 g : The online training required to date for devices over 800 g is not mandatory, but is recommended. Flying over isolated persons is tolerated but flying over an assembly of individuals is prohibited.
  • Class C1 drones from 250 to less than 900 g: it has to be declared now on Fox Alphatango and mandatory online training. Eventually, devices for sale will need to be equipped with a direct remote identification function. Flight near people is allowed.
• Category A2/Class C2 drones between 900 g and 4 kg : a more comprehensive training will be offered shortly by the DGAC and mandatory. These devices will be equipped with a direct remote identification function and a low speed mode. The flight is authorized at 30m of the persons and at 5m if the low speed mode is engaged.
• Category A3/Class C3 and C4 drones between 4 and 25 kg and equipped with a direct remote identification function. The flight is authorized in places without third parties, more than 150m from residential, commercial, industrial areas.

A transition period until December 31, 2022

If you already have a drone without CE marking and without class, and you want to fly it for leisure or competition (aeromodelism), or fly a low-risk flight, you must now comply with the regulations on flights in

Open category

.

Older drones without an electronic reporting device do not need to be registered. Older drones exceeding 800 g shall be equipped with an electronic signaling device and recorded.

Up to 1^er January 2023, pilots who have obtained the applicable training follow-up certificate are authorized to operate under conditions A1 (close to the person) and A3 (150m from residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas).