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.