Remote pilot competency in European Union / EASA

What the rules say

Each line is resolved from published facts of European Union / EASA. "Not resolved" means the corpus does not answer it in a machine-checkable way — never that the law is silent.

• Competency requiredConditional
• Training requiredConditional
• Examination requiredConditional
• Proof of competency issuedConditional
• Operation-specific qualificationConditional
• Validity periodConditional
• Renewal or recurrent trainingConditional
• Minimum age16 yearsConditional
• Weight-based trigger0.25 kgConditional

What changes the answer

The published rules distinguish the a1, a2, a3 and open categories of operation.

• altitude

  Flight altitude at or below 120 m

• other

  Examination questions at or above 30 questions

The rules behind this answer

• Binding lawNational rule

  Class C0 Safe Controllability

  A class C0 UAS must be safely controllable by a remote pilot following the manufacturer's instructions under all anticipated operating conditions, including system failures.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Class C4 Controllability and Maneuverability

  A class C4 UAS must be safely controllable and manoeuvrable by a remote pilot following the manufacturer's instructions under all anticipated operating conditions, including system failures.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Compliance with Manufacturer's Instructions

  During the flight, the remote pilot must operate the UAS in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, including any applicable limitations.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Considerations for Identifying Mitigation Measures

  The identification of mitigation measures to meet the target safety level must consider containment, strategic limitations, flight rules, adverse conditions, organizational factors, personnel competency, human error, and UAS design features.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Controllability and Pilot Competency

  A class C2 UAS must be safely controllable by a remote pilot with adequate competency as defined in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, following manufacturer instructions.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Data Link Protection

  Unless tethered, a class C2 UAS must have a data link protected against unauthorised access to command and control functions.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Direct Remote Identification

  A class C2 UAS must have a direct remote identification that allows the upload of the UAS operator registration number required in accordance with Article 14 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, performs a consistency check on that registration string, and broadcasts directly and periodically in real time throughout the flight — using an open and documented transmission protocol receivable by existing mobile devices within range — at least the UAS operator registration number and Member State verification code, the unique serial number of the UA, the time stamp, the geographical position of the UA and its height above the surface or take-off point, the route course and ground speed, the geographical position of the remote pilot or, if not available, the take-off point, and an indication of the emergency status of the UAS; the direct remote identification must also reduce the ability of tampering with its functionality.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Familiarity with manufacturer's instructions

  The remote pilot must be familiar with the manufacturer's instructions provided by the manufacturer of the UAS.

  Open the requirementOfficial source

Official sources

• Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 — European Union Aviation Safety AgencyOpen

Other drone rules in European Union / EASA

• Do I need to register my drone in European Union / EASA?Registration in European Union / EASA is governed by a published mass threshold of 0.25 kg, alongside the further conditions cited below. Whether it applies to a given flight depends on those conditions, each cited to its rule.
• Do I need Remote ID in European Union / EASA?Remote identification in European Union / EASA is framed by a published mass threshold of 25 kg, together with the aircraft and operation conditions cited below. Whether a given flight must carry or broadcast an electronic identity depends on those conditions.
• What is the maximum drone altitude in European Union / EASA?Drone flights in European Union / EASA are held to a published general height limit of 120 m above_nearest_obstacle. The limit is not absolute: the published conditions that change it are cited below.
• Can I fly a drone near an airport in European Union / EASA?Drone flights near aerodromes in European Union / EASA are governed by airspace and aerodrome restrictions: whether permission is needed depends on the airspace, distance or aerodrome type published below.
• When does a drone operation need authorisation in European Union / EASA?Whether an operation in European Union / EASA needs prior authorisation depends on the operational category, risk class or location: the published triggers below decide it.
• Do I need drone insurance in European Union / EASA?Drone insurance in European Union / EASA is published with a minimum third-party cover of 20 kg. Whether cover is required for a given flight depends on the published conditions below.

All drone laws in European Union / EASA