As we have seen in this article regarding the EASA regulations for drones classification and operation, from January 1, 2024, it is no longer possible to fly a drone without it having a class tag. In this article we will see which drones already have a class tag and how we can know which category our drone falls into.
Drones that already have a class tag can be seen in the following table:
Class | Manufacturer | Type category | Model | Commercial name | Low speed mode | Noise level (db) |
C0 | DJI | Multirotor | MT2SD, MT2SDCE | DJI Mini 2 SE | N/A | N/A |
C0 | DJI | Multirotor | MT3PDCE, MT3PD, MT3M3VDB | DJI Mini 3, Mini 3 Pro | N/A | N/A |
C0 | DJI | Multirotor | MT4MFVD | Mini 4 Pro Fly More Combo | N/A | N/A |
C1 | DJI | Multirotor | EB3WBC | DJI AIR 3 | N/A | 81 |
C1 | DJI | Multirotor | L2AA, L2PA, L2C | DJI MAVIC 3 V2.0, Cine V2.0, Classic | N/A | 83 |
C2
C6 |
AgEagle | Fixed-wing | SENSEFLY EBEE X, GEO, AG, TAC PUBLIC SAFETY | SENSEFLY eBee | No | N/A |
C2 | DJI | Multirotor | M30 RTK EU, M30T RTK EU | M30 EU, M30T EU | Yes | 90 |
C2 | DJI | Multirotor | M3E-EU, M3T-EU, M3M-EU | DJI MAVIC 3E EU, 3T EU, 3M EU | Yes | 82 |
C3 | DJI | Multirotor | M350 RTK | Matrice 350 RTK | N/A | 97 |
C3 | Quantum-Systems | Fixed-wing | R10 | Trinity F90+ | N/A | N/A |
C3 | Wingtra | Fixed-wing | Wingtraone Gen II | WingtraOne | N/A | N/A |
C6 | Delair | Fixed-wing | UX11-AG-C6, IR-C6, RGB-C6, AG-LE, IR-LE, RGB-LE | Delair UX 11 Camera AG, IR, RGB; Longue Elongation Camera AG, IR, RGB | N/A | N/A |
In summary, starting January 1, 2024, drone operations in the open category must meet the following requirements:
- To carry an identification tag of class C0 to C4, or
- To be built privately*, or
- If it does not have a class identification tag, the drone must be placed on the market after before December 31, 2023.
* A drone is considered to be privately built when it was not purchased (not even as a ready-to-assemble kit), but was built for the personal use of the person who built it.
Guide to the operation of drones in the open category as of January 1, 2024
Class |
Subcategory |
Operational Restrictions |
Drone operator registration |
Required pilot competency |
Minimum age for remote pilot |
Privately built drones and drones placed on the market before 1 January 2024 (under 250g) |
A1 (but can also fly in subcategory A3) |
Can fly over non-involved people (should be avoided when possible).
No flying over gatherings of people. |
No, unless the on-board camera/sensor and the drone is not a toy. |
No training is required |
No minimum age |
C0 (under 250 g) |
A1 (but can also fly in subcategory A3) |
No flying over crowds of people. Maintain a flight altitude below 120 m above ground level. |
No, unless the on-board camera/sensor and the drone is not a toy. |
Read the user manual carefully |
16*, no minimum age if the drone is a toy |
C1 (under 900 g) |
A1 (but can also fly in subcategory A3) |
Overflight of uninvolved persons is not expected (if it occurs, overflight should be kept to a minimum);
No flying over crowds; Maintain flight altitude below 120 m above ground level. |
Yes |
Read the user manual carefully.
Obtain a “Proof of Completion of Online Training” for the “open” subcategory A1/A3 by: · Completion of online training · Passing the online theoretical exam |
16* |
C2 (under 4 kg) |
A2 (but can also fly in subcategory A3) |
It must not fly over uninvolved persons;
Maintain a horizontal distance of 30 m from non-involved persons (can be reduced to 5 m if the low speed function is activated); Maintain flight altitude below 120 m above ground level. |
Yes |
Read the user manual carefully.
Obtain a “Certificate of Remote Pilot Proficiency” for the “open” subcategory A2 by: · You have a “Proof of Completion of Online Training” for the “open” subcategory A1/A3 · Carrying out and declaring a practical self-study · Passing an additional theory exam at the NAA or supervised online |
16* |
C3 (under 25 kg) |
A3 |
It must not fly over uninvolved persons;
Maintain a horizontal distance of 150 m from non-involved persons and urban areas; Maintain flight altitude below 120 m above ground level. |
Yes |
Read the user manual carefully
Obtain a “Proof of Completion of Online Training” for the “open” subcategory A1/A3 by: · Completion of online training · Passing the online theoretical exam |
16* |
C4 (under 25 kg) |
A3 |
It must not fly over uninvolved persons;
Maintain a horizontal distance of 150 m from non-involved persons and urban areas; Maintain flight altitude below 120 m above ground level. |
Yes |
Read the user manual carefully
Obtain a “Proof of Completion of Online Training” for the “open” subcategory A1/A3 by: · Completion of online training · Passing the online theoretical exam |
16* |
Privately built drones and drones placed on the market before 1 January 2024 (under 25 kg)) |
A3 |
It must not fly over uninvolved persons;
Maintain a horizontal distance of 150 m from non-involved persons and urban areas; Maintain flight altitude below 120 m above ground level. |
Yes |
Read the user manual carefully
Obtain a “Proof of Completion of Online Training” for the “open” subcategory A1/A3 by: · Completion of online training · Passing the online theoretical exam |
16* |
* A state may lower the minimum remote pilot age to 12 years. In this case, the reduced age limit will apply only in that state.
To understand the open category even better, we invite you to visit this link.
If you are interested in watching a presentation on European UAS regulations, this video is just what you need:
The presentation has the following key points:
25:18 Registration as a UAS operator and UAS registration number
37:55 Definition of subcategories A1, A2 and A3 for the open category
46:28 Description of subcategory A1
49:59 Description of subcategory A2
51:38 Description of subcategory A3
53:01 Proof of completion of remote pilot training for A1 and A3
1:14:20 About FPV
For more official information on drones and applicable legislation, visit the EASA website.