Remote pilot competency in Latvia

What the rules say

Each line is resolved from published facts of Latvia. "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

  Approval of Changes to Scope of Activity

  Changes to the scope of activity of a recognized entity may only be implemented after they have been approved by the Civil Aviation Agency.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Authorized Entities for Remote Pilot Training and Testing

  Theoretical knowledge refresher training and practical skills testing for remote pilots must be provided only by a recognized entity or an authorized UAS operator.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Eligibility for Recognized Entity Status

  Recognised entity status may be obtained by a legal person whose main place of business is the Republic of Latvia, or by a natural person registered in the Republic of Latvia as an individual merchant or as a self-employed person.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Exam Invigilator Age Requirement

  A person who has reached at least 18 years of age may act as invigilator at in-person remote pilot theoretical knowledge examinations.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Familiarization with Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC)

  Applicants for a model aircraft club flight permit must familiarize themselves with the Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC) published on the Civil Aviation Agency website before submitting their application.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Insurance Requirement for Practical Training Entities

  Applicants wishing to conduct practical training and skills assessment in the specific category must submit an insurance policy to the Civil Aviation Agency.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Mandatory alcohol and drug testing

  Remote pilots and observers are prohibited from refusing alcohol breath tests or medical examinations for alcohol, narcotics, psychotropic, toxic, or other intoxicating substances.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Notification of Changes by Recognized Entities

  A recognized entity must inform the Civil Aviation Agency of any changes to its application documents at least 10 days before the planned changes take effect.

  Open the requirementOfficial source

Official sources

• Ministru kabineta noteikumi Nr. 374 — Atzīto struktūru statusa iegūšanas un uzraudzības kārtība — Valsts aģentūra "Civilās aviācijas aģentūra" (Civil Aviation Agency of Latvia)Open
• Ministru kabineta noteikumi Nr. 436 — Tālvadības pilotu kvalifikācijas noteikumi — Valsts aģentūra "Civilās aviācijas aģentūra" (Civil Aviation Agency of Latvia)Open
• Ministru kabineta noteikumi Nr. 627 — Gaisa kuģu modeļu klubu vai apvienību organizēto bezpilota gaisa kuģu lidojumu noteikumi — Valsts aģentūra "Civilās aviācijas aģentūra" (Civil Aviation Agency of Latvia)Open
• Likums "Par aviāciju" — Vienpadsmitā¹ nodaļa, 117.¹–117.¹² pants — bezpilota gaisa kuģi un to sistēmas (lidojumu vispārīgie noteikumi, kvalifikācija, atļaujas, reģistrs, gaisa telpas izmantošana, apdrošināšana) — Valsts aģentūra "Civilās aviācijas aģentūra" (Civil Aviation Agency of Latvia)Open

Other drone rules in Latvia

• Do I need to register my drone in Latvia?Registration in Latvia 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 Latvia?Remote identification in Latvia 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 Latvia?Drone flights in Latvia 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 Latvia?Drone flights near aerodromes in Latvia 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 Latvia?Whether an operation in Latvia needs prior authorisation depends on the operational category, risk class or location: the published triggers below decide it.
• Do I need drone insurance in Latvia?Drone insurance in Latvia 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 Latvia