🇪🇸Spain

EASA and national authorities gather, analyse and publish drone safety information, and must act on safety issues they identify.

Your violation becomes a very serious infraction (infracción muy grave) if it causes an accident in manned aviation, results in a fatality, causes individual property damage exceeding €15,000, or leads to the unjustified suspension of aeronautical services.

If you violate any obligation under Title IV of the Air Safety Law, it will be treated as a minor infraction (infracción leve) unless specific aggravating circumstances (like causing an accident, serious injury, or significant damage) elevate it to a serious or very serious infraction.

Your violation becomes a serious infraction (infracción grave) if it leads to a serious incident in manned aviation, causes injuries resulting in more than 7 days of work leave, causes individual property damage between €5,000 and €15,000, or causes unjustified aeronautical service delays of more than 4 hours.

Article 19 sets out how drone safety occurrences are reported and handled: operators report occurrences, and authorities share, analyse and act on that information.

Details of your flights, including any unusual technical or operational occurrences, will be recorded and kept by the operator for at least three years.

If something safety related goes wrong with your drone operation, you must report it to your national aviation authority under the EU occurrence reporting rules.

A UAS operator intending to conduct a specific category operation under an existing operational authorisation in a Member State other than their Member State of registration must submit an application to the competent authority of the Member State of intended operation.

A UAS operator intending to conduct a cross-border operation in the specific category based on a declaration must provide the competent authority of the Member State of intended operation with a copy of the declaration and its confirmation of receipt and completeness.

If you fly under a declared standard scenario, you must confirm that appropriate insurance cover is in place for every flight, where insurance is required by EU or national law.

When you apply for an operational authorisation in the Specific category, you must confirm that appropriate insurance cover will be in place when operations start, where insurance is required.

Aircraft operators, including drone operators inside the scope of the EU insurance regulation, must hold third-party liability insurance of at least 0.75 million SDR per accident when the aircraft weighs under 500 kg.

If your drone has a maximum take-off mass (MTOM) of 20 kg or more, you must have insurance that complies with European Regulation (EC) No 785/2004.

If you are a member of a federation, club, or association, your insurance requirement is met if they have a policy that covers your civil liability during drone operations.

Ensure that proof of valid insurance is available for the specific flight under the standard scenario.

If your drone is under 20 kg and you fly in the Open A2 subcategory, the Specific category, or the Certified category, you must have a civil liability insurance policy or financial guarantee.

You can choose to insure your drone operations continuously (annual/ongoing policy) or purchase insurance on a per-flight or per-project basis.

This section establishes the minimum insurance obligations for UAS operators in Spain, distinguishing between UAS of 20 kg or more (subject to EU Regulation 785/2004) and UAS under 20 kg (subject to Spanish Ley 48/1960 in Open A2, Specific, and Certified categories, while exempting Open A1 and A3).

If your drone weighs less than 20 kg, you must have third-party liability insurance that complies with Spanish Real Decreto 37/2001, which requires a minimum coverage of 220,000 Special Drawing Rights (SDR/DEG).

Ensure there is proof of valid insurance for every flight you perform under the declaration.

You must have third-party liability insurance to operate any aircraft, including UAS, in Spain.

If you fly a drone weighing less than 20 kg in the Open A1 or Open A3 subcategories, you are exempt from the mandatory insurance requirements of Spanish aviation law.

You must have a valid third-party liability insurance policy that covers any damage your drone might cause during a flight.

You do not need to pay for a year-round permanent insurance policy; you can use on-demand insurance that covers each specific flight you perform.

You do not need third-party liability insurance if you fly in subcategory A1, or if you fly in subcategory A3 with a drone that weighs less than 20 kg.

When you register as a UAS operator you must supply your insurance policy number if Union or national law requires you to be insured.

The EU aviation insurance regulation does not cover model aircraft weighing less than 20 kg, so any insurance duty for those aircraft comes from national law instead.

Operational events and anomalies must be logged and stored by the operator for at least 3 years.

Ensure you comply with the security (physical security/protection) procedures established in the MO during the operation.

Using a crash-protected container is an approved way to secure dangerous goods, but its effectiveness must be proven for your specific flight conditions (speed, altitude, weather, and location).

An Emergency Response Plan (ERP) with medium robustness must be documented in the Operations Manual and followed during emergencies.

All maintenance actions on the drone must be recorded and kept on file for at least 3 years.

The operator must keep a list of authorized maintenance staff.

Operations must follow procedures that protect personal data in compliance with GDPR.

The national non-EASA standard scenarios (STS-ES-NE) are only valid in Spain and are restricted to public interest missions like policing, search and rescue, firefighting, and border control.

An emergency response plan (ERP) with medium robustness must be documented and followed in case of emergencies.

Operations must follow data protection procedures outlined in the Operations Manual to protect personal privacy in compliance with GDPR.

You must plan flights in a way that minimizes noise and other disturbances to people and animals, following the instructions in the Operations Manual.

Contingency and emergency procedures must be validated through test flights or simulations before operational use.

You do not need to send your documents to AESA when submitting a declaration, but you must keep them ready in case AESA requests them to prove you comply with the standard scenario.

Ensure the drone's speed relative to the ground does not exceed 5 m/s.

Follow the security measures in the MO to prevent unauthorized access or interference with the UAS during operations.

The operator's manual must specify how radio frequencies are managed to avoid interference during flights.

The operator must have documented procedures in the Operations Manual showing how safety requirements in the flight area are met.

If the drone uses certified parts, specific compliance rules apply and must be documented.

Operational procedures must meet medium robustness standards as defined in AMC2 UAS.SPEC.030(3)(e).

The operator must document security measures to prevent unauthorized access or interference with the drone.

Anyone performing maintenance on the UAS must follow the official maintenance instructions detailed in the manual.

Contingency and emergency procedures must be validated through test flights or representative simulations.

Any third-party services used for flight safety (like weather or communication services) must meet adequate performance levels.

Be familiar with the Emergency Response Plan (ERP) in the MO, which is designed to meet a medium level of robustness.

You must prove your emergency procedures work, either through actual test flights or realistic simulations, and document this.

Plan and execute your flights following the MO instructions to minimize noise and other disturbances to people and animals.

The maintenance procedures for the drone must be clearly written in the operator's manual, following the manufacturer's guidelines.

The risk assessment for your flight must cover the specific hazards of the dangerous goods, the container, the competence of the handlers, and the flight area.

When preparing a risk assessment for a specific category operation, you must ensure it covers the operational characteristics, safety objectives, ground/air risks, mitigations, and the robustness of those mitigations.

Your operational description must detail what you are doing, where you are flying (including airspace and population density), how complex the flight is, the technical specs of your drone, and your own qualifications.

The safety level of your planned drone operation must be designed to be as safe as traditional manned aircraft flights.

When setting up your flight procedures, you should base them on what the drone manufacturer recommends, if those recommendations exist.

If your organization is required to maintain an Operations Manual, the operational procedures must be written directly into that manual.

If you operate as a single-person organisation, you must still meet all the applicable criteria in this Annex to claim ground risk mitigations.

If the aviation authority decides after reviewing the operational risk assessment that your specific category operation is too risky to fly without a certified drone, the UAS must be certified.

When applying for an authorization, you must write and understand your own ConOps. You cannot simply copy a template without taking responsibility for the safety case.

You must have clear procedures on how to report accidents (like hitting another aircraft, damaging property, or injuring someone) and how flight logs and data are stored and shared with authorities.

Your ConOps must describe how the flight is normally conducted within its limits, and provide clear step-by-step procedures for normal, contingency, and emergency situations.

To make the flight safe, you must consider mitigations like restricting where and when you fly, using emergency systems (like impact reduction), ensuring high pilot competency, and having clear procedures.

You must ensure that the safety measures you put in place are strong and reliable enough to handle the actual risks of your flight at every stage.

If your flight plan goes outside the boundaries of a PDRA, you cannot use that PDRA. You must perform a full risk assessment, unless your authority explicitly approves minor changes.

To fly dangerous goods in the specific category, the operator must show that an accident will not result in harm to people or the environment.

This Acceptable Means of Compliance outlines how a UAS operator should develop operational procedures, basing them on manufacturer recommendations and integrating them into the Operations Manual when required.

This section provides guidance for UAS operators on how to demonstrate compliance with UAS.SPEC.030(3)(e) in their Operations Manual (MO), detailing requirements for safety procedures, security measures, data protection, noise mitigation, emergency response planning, and operational procedures validation.

The drone operations must follow the data protection procedures detailed in the Operations Manual to comply with GDPR.

Any external service you rely on for flight safety (like weather data or communication links) must perform adequately, and this must be declared.

If you fail to correct the discrepancies in time, you will get a final 2-day period to submit arguments before a negative resolution is issued.

Your European STS declaration is valid for 2 years from the date you submit it, as long as you continue to meet all EU regulations and the specific scenario requirements.

If you make a non-editorial change that affects your operational authorisation or the documents used to get it, this is considered a significant change.

An operator with a LUC has special privileges to self-authorize certain operations based on their safety management system.

Before starting normal operations with swarms, autonomous flights, or drones over 25 kg, you must perform test flights to prove compliance with OSO #08.

When operating under an authorization that uses Airspace Observers (AOs), the flight path planning must ensure AOs are positioned correctly and in sufficient numbers. You must be able to reference the specific section of the Operations Manual (MO) where this is justified.

If you do not receive an explicit decision from AESA regarding your authorization request, it means your request has been denied by administrative silence.

You can start flying under an STS as soon as your operator has the official receipt of submission from AESA's online portal.

Before flight, it must be verified that AOs have adequate visibility, no terrain obstructions, overlapping coverage zones, established communication, and functioning positioning equipment (if used). These procedures must be detailed in the Operations Manual (MO).

Before flying under STS-01 or STS-02, your operator must have submitted an operational declaration to AESA.

If you fly directly for a public authority body (such as state police or customs) performing non-EASA services, no operational declaration is required.

The operator must keep the receipt confirmation of the declaration submitted to AESA.

The operator's manual must contain procedures ensuring safety requirements in the flight area are respected, and the application must reference this section.

You must plan flights following the instructions in the Operations Manual to minimize noise and other disturbances to people and animals.

You must ensure that the personnel responsible for establishing communication are clearly identified in the Operations Manual (MO), and you must declare compliance with this requirement in your application.

The operator must have specific procedures in the Operations Manual to ensure safety requirements in the flight area are met, and must reference this section in their application.

You do not need a separate permit for these test flights; the main operational authorization will be issued with a condition that you must complete the test flights first.

A PDRA is a pre-made risk assessment by EASA. If your operation fits a PDRA, you do not need to write your own risk assessment, making the application process much faster.

The operator must establish security measures to prevent unauthorized access or interference with the drone, documented in the Operations Manual.

If you plan to fly under European standard scenarios (STS-01 or STS-02), your operator must have submitted a declaration to AESA before the flight.

Operations under national standard scenarios for non-EASA activities (such as military, customs, police, search and rescue, or firefighting) do not have an expiration date.

If you are a private operator contracted by a public authority to perform non-EASA services, you must have an active operational declaration.

If you apply for an operational authorization but claim rights that do not exist in the regulations, AESA will reject your application at the start.

This section provides guidance for UAS operators on how to document and declare compliance with operational procedures, security measures, data protection, noise minimization, and emergency response plans within their Operations Manual (MO) when applying for an operational authorization.

The operator must hold the AESA declaration receipt for the STS-ES-02/STS-02 operation, unless exempt.

If external services are used, the responsibilities of both the operator and the provider must be clearly defined.

If you need to prove medium containment robustness (SORA Step 8) and cannot do so under open category or specific declarations, you must obtain an operational authorization for test flights.

If AESA finds issues with your application, you have 10 days from receiving the notification to submit your arguments or clarifications.

This section outlines the procedures for requesting operational authorizations for test flights (both for OSO compliance and technical requirements), pre-application meetings for high-risk operations (SAIL III or higher), and the streamlined process for operations covered by Pre-defined Risk Assessments (PDRAs).

If your operation is SAIL III or higher, you can request a meeting with AESA to clarify doubts, but you must have completed the risk assessment and prepared an agenda first.

If your flight cannot comply with the Open category rules (such as altitude, distance from people, or drone class limits), you must obtain an operational authorisation before flying.

If you are flying in the specific category, your organization must have an operational authorization from the national aviation authority before you can fly, unless the flight is covered by a standard scenario declaration or your organization has an LUC.

Changes to key personnel, operations affecting risk assessments, or non-editorial changes to policies or the operations manual are considered significant changes.

This guidance material explains how to conduct operational risk assessments under Article 11, introducing the SORA methodology, standard scenarios (STSs) for declarations, and predefined risk assessments (PDRAs) for simplified authorisations.

Article 5 establishes the regulatory framework for the 'Specific' category of UAS operations, detailing when an operational authorisation is required, the risk assessment process, and exemptions such as standard scenario declarations, Light UAS Operator Certificates (LUC), and authorized model aircraft clubs.

This Annex provides guidance to UAS operators on collecting and presenting evidence and data for operational authorization applications in the 'specific' category using the SORA process, outlining the general workflow, document structure, and evidence submission requirements.

You do not always have to submit all your SORA compliance evidence to the authority. Low-risk (low robustness) evidence and medium-risk evidence using standard EASA guidelines can be kept on file, but high-risk evidence must be submitted with your application.

Once you finish your initial SORA risk assessment (Phase 1), it is recommended to contact your national aviation authority to check if they agree with your risk level before you write the full operations manual.

If your drone is a custom build or modification used strictly for scientific or research purposes and produced in very small numbers, you do not need standard certification, but you must obtain a permit to fly.

Use the compliance matrix template to cross-reference your procedures and evidence with the SORA requirements before submitting your application.

If your drone is not certified but you are flying in the specific category, it must have the technical features required by your operational authorization or LUC.

Any major changes to how you plan to operate (as described in your ConOps) must be assessed and potentially approved by your national aviation authority before you fly.

This section defines the integrity and assurance levels for strategic mitigations (M1) used to reduce the intrinsic ground risk class (GRC) under SORA, including generic criteria for ground risk buffers and population evaluation, as well as specific criteria for tethered operations.

The authority will only grant the flight permission if they are satisfied that your safety mitigations are sufficient.

To get an operational authorisation, a risk assessment (such as SORA) must be completed and submitted showing how risks will be mitigated.

Your authorisation will clearly state whether it is for a single flight, a specific set of flights in a certain area/timeframe, or if it is part of an LUC.

If your operation fits a standard scenario (STS), you can submit a declaration instead of applying for a full operational authorisation.

If your organization holds an LUC with the right privileges, you don't need to apply for a separate authorisation or submit a declaration for the flight.

If you are flying within an authorized model aircraft club or association, you do not need a standard specific category authorisation or declaration.

This section defines what constitutes a significant change to an operational authorisation, providing a general criterion and specific examples of changes to operations, management, risk assessments, policies, and operations manuals that should be considered significant.

This section establishes the mandatory rules and criteria for conducting an operational risk assessment (SORA) for UAS operations, detailing the required elements of the operational description, risk identification, safety targets, mitigation measures, and robustness assessments.

Even if your operation does not meet the standard criteria for the 'certified' category, the authority can still classify it as 'certified' if a risk assessment shows that certification and licensing are necessary to fly safely.

When flying in the 'specific' category, you must operate within the limits of your operational authorisation, club/association authorisation, or declared standard scenario, unless your organisation holds an LUC that permits otherwise.

In addition to the responsibilities defined in UAS.SPEC.050, the UAS operator shall: (1) develop an operations manual including the elements defined in Appendix 5; (2) define the operational volume and ground risk buffer for the intended operations, including the controlled ground area covering the projections on the surface of the earth within both the volume and the buffer; (3) ensure the adequacy of the contingency and emergency procedures through any of the following: (a) dedicated flight tests; (b) simulations, provided that the representativeness of the simulation means is appropriate for the intended purpose; (4) develop an effective emergency response plan (ERP) suitable for the operation that includes at least: (a) the plan to limit any escalating effects of the emergency situation; (b) the conditions to alert the relevant authorities and organisations; (c) the criteria to identify an emergency situation; (d) clear delineation of the duties of the remote pilot(s) and any other personnel in charge of duties essential to the UAS operation; (5) ensure that the level of performance for any externally provided service necessary for the safety of the flight is adequate for the intended operation; (6) define the allocation of the roles and responsibilities between the operator and the external service provider(s), if applicable; (7) upload updated information into the geo-awareness, if the function is installed on the UAS, when required by the UAS geographical zone for the intended location of operation; (8) ensure that, before starting the operation, the controlled ground area is in place, effective and compliant with the minimum distance defined in point UAS.STS-01.020(1)(C)(i)(C) and, when required, coordination with the appropriate authorities has been conducted; (9) ensure that, before starting the operation, all persons present in the controlled ground area: (a) have been informed of the risks of the operation; (b) have been briefed or trained, as appropriate, on the safety precautions and measures established by the UAS operator for their protection; and (c) have explicitly agreed to participate in the operation; (10) ensure that: (a) the UAS is accompanied by the corresponding EU declaration(s) of conformity, including the reference to class C5 or reference to class C3 and to the accessories kit; and (b) the class C5 identification label is affixed to the unmanned aircraft or to the accessories kit. <

UAS operations in STS-02 shall be conducted: (1) in accordance with the operations manual referred to in point (1) of point UAS.STS-02.030; (2) over a controlled ground area entirely located in a sparsely populated environment including: (a) the flight geography area, (b) the contingency, which its external limit(s) shall be located at least 10 m beyond the limit(s) of the flight geography area, (c) a ground risk buffer covering a distance that is at least equal to the distance most likely to be travelled by the UA after activation of the means to terminate the flight specified by the UAS manufacturer in manufacturer's instructions, considering the operational conditions within the limitations specified by the UAS manufacturer; (3) in an area where the minimum flight visibility is more than 5 km; (4) with the unmanned aircraft in sight of the remote pilot during the launch and recovery of the unmanned aircraft, unless the latter is the result of an emergency flight termination; (5) if no airspace observer is used in the operation, with the unmanned aircraft flying no further than 1 km from the remote pilot, with the unmanned aircraft following a pre-programmed trajectory when the unmanned aircraft is not in VLOS of the remote pilot; (6) if one or more airspace observers are used in the operation, it shall comply with all of the following conditions: (a) the airspace observer(s) are positioned in a manner allowing for an adequate coverage of the operational volume and the surrounding airspace with the minimum flight visibility indicated in point (3); (b) the unmanned aircraft is operated no further than 2 km from the remote pilot; (c) the unmanned aircraft is operated no further than 1 km from the airspace observer who is nearest to the unmanned aircraft; (d) the distance between any airspace observer and the remote pilot is not more than 1 km; (e) robust and effective communication means are available for the communication between the remote pilot and the airspace observer(s); (7) by a remote pilot who holds: (a) a certificate of remote pilot theoretical knowledge for operations in standard scenarios, issued by the competent authority or by an entity designated by the competent authority of a Member State; (b) an accreditation of completion of the STS-02 practical skill training, in accordance with Attachment A to this Chapter and issued by: (A) an entity that has declared compliance with the requirements in Appendix 3 and is recognised by the competent authority of a Member State; or (B) by an UAS operator that has declared to the competent authority of the Member State of registration, compliance with STS-02 and that has declared compliance with the requirements in Appendix 3; (8) with an unmanned aircraft which complies with all of the following conditions: (a) is marked as class C6 and complies with the requirements of that class, as defined in Part 17 of the Annex to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945; (b) is operated with an active system to prevent the unmanned aircraft from breaching the flight geography; (c) is operated with active and updated direct remote identification system. (9) The remote pilot shall obtain the certificate of theoretical knowledge for operations in the standard scenarios after: (a) having completed an online training course and passed the online theoretical knowledge examination as referred to in point (4)(b) of point UAS.OPEN.020; and (b) having passed an additional theoretical knowledge examination provided by the competent authority or by an entity designated by the competent authority of a Member State in accordance with Attachment A to this Chapter. (10) This certificate shall be valid for five years. The revalidation, within its validity period is subject to any of the following: (a) the demonstration of competencies in accordance with point (9); (b) the completion of a refresher training addressing the theoretical knowledge subjects as defined in point (9) provided by the competent author

In addition to the responsibilities defined in UAS.SPEC.060, the remote pilot shall: (1) before starting an UAS operation: (a) set the programmable flight volume of the unmanned aircraft to keep it within the flight geography; (b) verify that the means to terminate the flight and the programmable operational volume functionality of the unmanned aircraft are operational; and, check if the direct remote identification is active and up-to-date. (2) during flight: (a) unless supported by airspace observers, maintain a thorough airspace scan of the airspace surrounding the unmanned aircraft in order to avoid any risk of a collision with any manned aircraft. The remote pilot shall discontinue the flight if the operation poses a risk to other aircraft, people, animals, environment or property; (b) have the ability to maintain control of the unmanned aircraft, except in the case of a lost command and control (C2) link; (c) operate only one unmanned aircraft at a time; (d) not operate the unmanned aircraft from a moving vehicle; (e) shall not hand over the control of the unmanned aircraft to another CMU; (f) inform the airspace observer(s), when employed, in a timely manner of any deviations of the unmanned aircraft from the intended path, and the associated timing; (g) perform the contingency procedures defined by the UAS operator for abnormal situations, including when the remote pilot has indication that the unmanned aircraft may exceed the limits of the flight geography; (h) perform the emergency procedures defined by the UAS operator for emergency situations, including triggering the means to terminate the flight when the remote pilot has an indication that the unmanned aircraft may exceed the limits of the operational volume. <

(1) During flight, the unmanned aircraft shall be maintained within 120 m from the closest point of the surface of the earth. The measurement of distances shall be adapted according to the geographical characteristics of the terrain, such as plains, hills, mountains. (2) When flying an unmanned aircraft within a horizontal distance of 50 m from an artificial obstacle taller than 105 m, the maximum height of the UAS operation may be increased up to 15 m above the height of the obstacle at the request of the entity responsible for the obstacle. (3) The maximum height of the operational volume shall not exceed 30 m above the maximum height allowed in points (1) and (2). (4) During flight, the unmanned aircraft shall not carry dangerous goods. <

(1) UAS operations in STS-01 shall meet all of the following conditions: (a) be conducted with the unmanned aircraft kept in VLOS at all times; (b) be conducted in accordance with the operations manual referred to in point (1) of point UAS.STS-01.030; (c) be conducted over a controlled ground area comprising: (i) for the operation of an untethered unmanned aircraft: (A) the flight geography area; (B) the contingency area, with its external limit(s) at least 10 m beyond the limit(s) of the flight geography area; and (C) the ground risk buffer, which shall cover a distance beyond the external limit(s) of the contingency area that meets at least the following parameters: Minimum distance to be covered by the ground risk buffer for untethered unmanned aircraft Maximum height above ground with an MTOM up to 10 kg with an MTOM above 10 kg 30 m 10 m 20 m 60 m 15 m 30 m 90 m 20 m 45 m 120 m 25 m 60 m (ii) for operation of a tethered unmanned aircraft, a radius equal to the tether length plus 5 m and centred on the point where the tether is fixed over the surface of the earth. (d) be conducted at a ground speed of less than 5 m/s in the case of untethered unmanned aircraft; (e) be conducted by a remote pilot who: (i) holds a certificate of remote pilot theoretical knowledge in accordance with Attachment A to this Chapter for operations in the standard scenarios issued by the competent authority or by an entity designated by the competent authority of a Member State; (ii) holds an accreditation of completion of the STS-01 practical skill training, in accordance with Attachment A to this Chapter and issued by: (A) an entity that has declared compliance with the requirements in Appendix 3 and is recognised by the competent authority of a Member State; or (B) an UAS operator that has declared to the competent authority of the Member State of registration, compliance with STS-01 and that has declared compliance with the requirements in Appendix 3; and (f) be conducted with an unmanned aircraft which is marked as class C5 and complies with the requirements of that class, as defined in Part 16 of the Annex to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945, and is operated with active and updated direct remote identification system. (2) The remote pilot shall obtain the certificate of theoretical knowledge for operations in the standard scenarios after: (a) having completed an online training course and passed the online theoretical knowledge examination as referred to in point (4)(b) of point UAS.OPEN.020; and (b) having passed an additional theoretical knowledge examination provided by the competent authority or by an entity designated by the competent authority of a Member State in accordance with Attachment A to this Chapter. (3) This certificate shall be valid for five years. The revalidation, within its validity period is subject to any of the following: (a) the demonstration of competencies in accordance with point (2); (b) the completion of a refresher training addressing the theoretical knowledge subjects as defined in point (2) provided by the competent authority or by an entity designated by the competent authority. (4) In order to revalidate the certificate upon its expiration, the remote pilot shall comply with point (2). <

In addition to the responsibilities defined in UAS.SPEC.060, the remote pilot: (1) before starting an UAS operation, shall verify that the means to terminate the flight of the unmanned aircraft are operational and check if the direct remote identification is active and uptodate; (2) during the flight: (a) shall keep the unmanned aircraft in VLOS and maintain a thorough airspace scan of the airspace surrounding the unmanned aircraft in order to avoid any risk of a collision with any manned aircraft. The remote pilot shall discontinue the flight if the operation poses a risk to other aircraft, people, animals, environment or property; (b) for the purposes of point (a), may be assisted by an unmanned aircraft observer. In such case, clear and effective communication shall be established between the remote pilot and the unmanned aircraft observer; (c) shall have the ability to maintain control of the unmanned aircraft, except in the case of a lost command and control (C2) link; (d) shall operate only one unmanned aircraft at a time; (e) shall not operate the unmanned aircraft from a moving vehicle; (f) shall not hand over the control of the unmanned aircraft to another CMU; (g) shall perform the contingency procedures defined by the UAS operator for abnormal situations, including when the remote pilot has an indication that the unmanned aircraft may exceed the limits of the flight geography; and (h) shall perform the emergency procedures defined by the UAS operator for emergency situations, including triggering the means to terminate the flight when the remote pilot has an indication that the unmanned aircraft may exceed the limits of the operational volume. <

In addition to the responsibilities defined in UAS.SPEC.050, the UAS operator shall: (1) develop an operations manual including the elements defined in Appendix 5; (2) define the operational volume and ground risk buffer for the intended operations, including the controlled ground area covering the projections on the surface of the earth of both the volume and the buffer; (3) ensure the adequacy of the contingency and emergency procedures through any of the following: (a) dedicated flight tests; (b) simulations, provided that the representativeness of the simulation means is appropriate for the intended purpose; (4) develop an effective emergency response plan (ERP) suitable for the operation that includes at least: (a) the plan to limit the escalating effects of the emergency situation; (b) the conditions to alert the relevant authorities and organisations; (c) the criteria to identify an emergency situation; (d) clear delineation of the duties of the remote pilot(s) and any other personnel in charge of duties essential to the UAS operation; (5) ensure that the level of performance for any externally provided service necessary for the safety of the flight is adequate for the intended operation; (6) define the allocation of the roles and responsibilities between the operator and the external service provider(s), if applicable; (7) upload updated information into the geo-awareness, if the function is installed on the UAS, when required by the UAS geographical zone for the intended location of the operation; (8) ensure that, before starting the operation, all appropriate measures to reduce the risk of intrusion of uninvolved persons in the controlled ground area compliant with the minimum distance defined in point UAS.STS-02.020(2) have been taken and, when required, coordination with the appropriate authorities has been conducted; (9) ensure that, before starting the operation, all persons present in the controlled ground area: (a) have been informed of the risks of the operation; (b) have been briefed and, if applicable, trained on the safety precautions and measures established by the UAS operator for their protection; and (c) have explicitly agreed to participate in the operation; (10) before starting the operation, if airspace observers are used: (a) ensure the correct placement and number of airspace observers along the intended flight path; (b) verify: (i) that the visibility and the planned distance of the airspace observer are within acceptable limits as defined in the operations manual; (ii) the absence of potential terrain obstructions for each airspace observer; (iii) that there are no gaps between the zones covered by each of the airspace observers; (iv) that the communication with each airspace observer is established and effective; (v) that if means are used by the airspace observers to determine the position of the unmanned aircraft, those means are functioning and effective; (c) ensure that the airspace observers have been briefed on the intended path of the unmanned aircraft and the associated timing; (11) ensure that: (a) the UAS is accompanied by the corresponding EU declaration of conformity, including the reference to class C6; (b) the class C6 identification label is affixed to the unmanned aircraft. <

An airspace observer shall: (1) maintain a thorough airspace scan of the airspace surrounding the unmanned aircraft in order to identify any risk of a collision with any manned aircraft; (2) maintain awareness of the position of the unmanned aircraft through direct airspace observation or through assistance provided by electronic means; (3) alert the remote pilot when a hazard is detected and assist in avoiding or minimising the potential negative effects. <

(1) During flight, the unmanned aircraft shall be maintained within 120 m from the closest point of the surface of the earth. The measurement of distances shall be adapted accordingly to the geographical characteristics of the terrain, such as plains, hills, mountains. (2) When flying an unmanned aircraft within a horizontal distance of 50 m from an artificial obstacle taller than 105 metres, the maximum height of the UAS operation may be increased up to 15 m above the height of the obstacle at the request of the entity responsible for the obstacle. (3) The maximum height of the operational volume shall not exceed 30 m above the maximum height allowed in points (1) and (2). (4) During flight, the unmanned aircraft shall not carry dangerous goods. <

Ensure that any data collection (video, photos, etc.) during the flight complies with the data protection procedures defined in the MO.

If your drone operations are highly complex (e.g., using many different types of drones and flight types), you can use a custom layout for your operations manual, but you should discuss this layout with your aviation authority first.

Follow coordination protocols established with external service providers during operations.

If your drone is not tethered, you must keep its ground speed below 5 meters per second.

You must operate the UAS in a manner that avoids radio interference and uses the spectrum efficiently.

Before taking off, you must set the programmable flight volume limits on the drone and verify that both the flight termination system and the volume limits are working.

If you are flying for a company or organization that has its own flight procedures or manuals, you must follow them.

The manufacturer's documentation will include an official EASA notice explaining your basic legal obligations and limitations under EU drone regulations.

If you are both the operator and the remote pilot, you do not need written procedures and can rely on the manufacturer's instructions.

This section provides guidance for UAS operators applying for operational authorizations, detailing requirements for documenting essential personnel communications, UAS maintenance procedures and records, external service performance, and essential personnel training in the Operations Manual (MO).

Ensure any propeller guards or safety features designed to prevent injury are properly installed and undamaged.

If flying a tethered C2 drone, ensure the tether is shorter than 50 meters and meets the strength requirements for your aircraft type.

Your training and qualification records will be kept by the operator for at least three years after you stop working there or change your role.

When flying under this scenario, you must not carry dangerous goods, must keep ground speed below 33 m/s, and maintain at least 5 km flight visibility. You must be trained for this scenario, fly only one drone at a time, and never fly from a moving vehicle. The drone must be visible during launch and recovery. Without airspace observers, you are limited to 1 km distance from the pilot (with a pre-programmed trajectory when not in VLOS). With airspace observers, you can fly up to 2 km from the pilot, provided the drone is within 1 km of the nearest observer, observers are within 1 km of the pilot, and robust communications are maintained.

Participate in flight tests or simulations to ensure you are trained and that emergency procedures are effective.

Your training records will be kept by the operator for at least 3 years after you stop flying for them or change roles.

The operator will keep records of your qualifications and training courses for at least three years after you stop working with them or change your role.

Establishes the obligation for authorized training entities, recognized entities, and UAS operators to report pilot practical skills training accreditations for standard scenarios to AESA on a monthly basis.

When you complete your practical skills training for standard scenarios, your training provider or UAS operator is legally required to report your accreditation to AESA within a month.

If you fly between 120 and 150 meters, you must have extra training covering airspace risk, height-limiting systems, coordination with air observers, and what to do if you see a manned aircraft.

If you handle or fly dangerous goods, you must complete a training programme approved by the competent authority that covers terminology, handling, labelling, and emergency procedures.

This section establishes the acceptable means of compliance for transporting dangerous goods in the 'specific' category, detailing safety demonstration requirements, container standards, risk assessment factors, and training programme criteria.

This section establishes the technical, safety, and operational requirements for Class C2 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including weight limits, height limiters, tether specifications, data link protections, low-speed modes, sound levels, remote identification, and geo-awareness systems.

Inspect the drone before flight to ensure there are no structural cracks or deformations that could cause a mechanical failure in the air.

Ensure your drone's control link is secure and firmware is updated to protect against unauthorized access.

Your organization's ConOps needs to clearly define who is in charge, how safety is managed, how pilots and crew are trained, how the drone is maintained, and how changes to the drone are tracked.

This section provides guidelines and a template for UAS operators to collect and present system and operational information (ConOps) required to conduct a Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) under Article 11.

Configure and test your drone's fail-safe behavior (e.g., Return-to-Home) so it behaves predictably if you lose connection.

You must hold the appropriate competency certificate (e.g., A2 Certificate of Competency) to operate a Class C2 drone, and operate it according to the manual.

Only use manufacturer-approved batteries and electrical components to avoid exceeding safe voltage limits.

You must hold the required competency credentials for the subcategory (A1, A2, or A3) in which you are flying.

You must be fully familiar with your operator's procedures before conducting a flight.

Establishes the operational conditions, pilot competency requirements, and aircraft limits for conducting UAS operations in subcategory A1 of the Open category.

You must follow the communication procedures described in the Operations Manual to coordinate with airspace management when operating in reserved or segregated airspace.

When flying near critical infrastructure, the restricted zone extends horizontally by 25 meters for linear structures (like railways or roads) and 10 meters for non-linear structures (like power plants). If there is a perimeter fence, you must measure this distance starting from the fence.

Ensure a NOTAM has been published and evidence is kept if you are flying under STS-ES-02/STS-02 in uncontrolled airspace above 60 meters.

You can speak Spanish (castellano) with air traffic services (ATS) unless the specific coordination procedures for that airspace require a different language.

Temporary UAS zones are short-term airspace restrictions (lasting 6 months or less) established for specific, unpredictable activities.

This article defines general and temporary UAS geographical zones in Spain, establishing their associated restrictions, coordination mechanisms, and information publication channels by referencing Real Decreto 1180/2018.

This section defines general UAS geographical zones established for reasons of military security, National Defense, and State security, and mandates that operating UAS within these zones or active military deployment areas requires prior express permission from the responsible entity or the Ministry of Defense.

If a particular UAS zone overlaps with a general UAS zone, you must follow both sets of rules. However, if they contradict each other, the rules of the particular zone override the general ones.

If the UAS zone you are flying in requires coordination with an airport, heliport, or air traffic services, you must perform this coordination using the specific procedure defined in Article 43.

This section defines the general UAS geographical zones established for protecting installations and infrastructures that provide essential services to the community, setting their horizontal and vertical boundaries, and establishing the requirement for prior permission to operate within them, along with specific exemptions.

If the infrastructure is a bridge or has suspended parts, the restricted zone extends 10 meters downwards from the underside of the bridge deck, and 10 meters horizontally/vertically around any pillars, arches, or supports.

If you are flying in the open category outside of a UAS geographical zone, you do not need to comply with the standard airspace equipment requirements (such as transponders or radios required for manned aircraft in that airspace).

Emergency services, police, customs, intelligence, and traffic monitoring flights are exempt from these restrictions when performing their duties (specifically for railways, and general non-EASA operations for other infrastructures), but they must still apply safety mitigations.

When flying in controlled airspace, follow the communication methods and means specified in the MO to maintain contact with the airspace management entity.

If you are flying outside a UAS geographical zone, your drone must generally carry the equipment required for that class of airspace under standard air rules, unless an exemption applies.

When flying in reserved or segregated airspace, you must use the designated communication methods to coordinate with the airspace management entity, which must be published via NOTAM.

This article establishes the rules for operating within general and particular UAS geographical zones in Spain, including conflict resolution for overlapping zones, coordination procedures, and information sharing obligations.

If your flight area is covered by more than one general UAS geographical zone, you must follow the restrictions of all overlapping zones simultaneously.

This article establishes exemptions from the operational conditions and coordination requirements in UAS geographical zones near aerodromes, heliports, controlled airspace, and FIZ zones for specific urgent public safety, national security, and non-EASA operations.

UAS geographical zones for essential services protect critical infrastructure. This includes power plants, chemical industries, refineries, fuel depots, ports, railways, roads, water/gas/electricity distribution, IT/telecom infrastructure, and (if not in urban zones) police stations, military barracks, and hospitals.

When flying in general UAS geographical zones (defense, environment, photographic flight, or flexible airspace), you must follow the specific restrictions and conditions set out in the corresponding articles of Real Decreto 1180/2018.

Airspace reserves or restrictions set up under Article 21 of Real Decreto 1180/2018 function as temporary UAS zones, and you must comply with the specific conditions defined for them.

If you fly where multiple particular UAS zones overlap, you must follow the rules of all of them. If they conflict, the rule from the zone that was created most recently is the one you must follow.

If you are operating a UAS directly for the State Security Forces, regional police, Customs Surveillance, or the National Intelligence Centre (CNI) in an urgent national security or public safety mission, you are exempt from the standard aerodrome and controlled airspace geographical zone restrictions. However, you must coordinate in real-time with the affected ATS providers and limit the flight to the minimum necessary time.

These zones include areas of interest for national defense, military installations, public domain properties assigned to defense, and infrastructures/installations related to state security (including their security zones).

When flying inside a designated UAS geographical zone, you must ensure your drone is equipped with any specific equipment required by that zone's rules or your operational authorization.

General UAS geographical zones are permanent or pre-established areas where drone flights are restricted or prohibited due to defense, safety, environmental protection, or photographic flight restrictions, as defined in Real Decreto 1180/2018.

You must not fly within 50 meters vertically above the highest point of any protected essential infrastructure. For linear structures like railways, the highest point is determined within a 100-meter longitudinal window centered directly under your drone.

To fly in controlled airspace or a Flight Information Zone (FIZ), you must ensure a specific aeronautical safety study has been coordinated with the Air Traffic Service Provider (ATSP).

Before you take off, you must check the official maps or applications provided by the country you are flying in to see if there are any flight restrictions or geographical zones in place.

While flying, you must follow all rules and limits of the geographical zones you are in (such as altitude limits or no-fly zones).

To help you comply with flight restrictions, Member States are expected to provide official information on airspace structures, including limited zones and no-fly zones.

Do not fly your drone near or inside emergency response areas (like accidents, fires, or search and rescue operations) unless you have direct permission from the emergency services in charge.

This guidance material explains that Member States are responsible for providing information on airspace structure and limitations, including limited or no-UA zones, in accordance with Article 15 of the UAS Regulation.

This Article establishes the core operational rules and compliance frameworks for UAS operations, dividing requirements across the 'open', 'specific', and 'certified' categories.

Specific category flights must respect the applicable European rules of the air (SERA).

Certified category operations must comply with manned aviation-grade regulations, including SERA, Air Operations, and ACAS II rules.

This section provides guidance on how operators must demonstrate compliance with operational authorization requirements under UAS.SPEC.030, specifically detailing requirements for emergency procedures, crew fitness self-declarations, pilot designation, radio spectrum efficiency, record keeping, and airspace communication.

You must not fly if unfit (due to alcohol, drugs, fatigue, medication, or illness) and you must be familiar with the drone's manual.

Instead of standard theoretical and practical certificates, you may follow a specific training program proposed by your operator and approved by AESA.

Your name must be recorded on the operator's updated pilot list for the flights you conduct.

This section establishes the responsibilities and obligations of the remote pilot before and during a UAS operation in the 'open' category, including competency requirements, pre-flight checks, fitness for duty, VLOS maintenance, and restrictions near emergency response areas.

You must ensure the drone stays clear of clouds during flight.

The operator must maintain an Operations Manual, an updated list of pilots designated for each flight, and manufacturer instructions to ensure safe operations.

Before every flight, you and other essential crew members must self-declare that you are fit to operate, following the policy defined in the Operations Manual.

AESA may publish alternative ways to prove your radio and language skills other than the standard certificates.

This article establishes the training and certification requirements for remote pilots operating UAS in Spanish national standard scenarios (STS-ES), requiring both a theoretical knowledge certificate issued by AESA and a practical skills accreditation issued by an authorized entity.

This section outlines the record-keeping obligations for UAS operators operating under standard scenarios (STS-ES-01, UAS-ES-01NE, and STS-01). While operators do not submit documentation upfront to AESA, they must maintain and make available records of insurance, declaration receipts, pilot qualifications, and personnel training.

This section establishes the requirements for remote pilots using the aeronautical mobile service band in Spain, including radiotelephony qualifications, language proficiency, and the default use of the Spanish language in communications with ATS providers.

To act as a remote pilot for non-EASA activities or services (such as state, police, or emergency services) in Spain, you must be at least 16 years old.

You have the authority and duty to cancel or delay a flight if it endangers people, property, other aircraft, or violates the operational authorization.

Ec stands for Impact Kinetic Energy (Energía cinética de impacto).

This section outlines the requirements and procedures for remote pilot training, pre-flight checks, and in-flight limitations (such as speed, distance, and emergency procedures) when operating under specific authorizations or PDRAs in Spain.

If you need to use the aeronautical radio band, you must hold a theoretical radiotelephony certificate from AESA (which does not expire) and a practical certificate from an authorized examiner (which you must renew every 2 years).

To fly a Class C1 drone (between 250g and 900g), you must complete an online training course and pass an online exam provided by the aviation authority. The exam has 40 multiple-choice questions, and you need to score at least 75% to pass.

This section establishes the acceptable format and issuance process for the proof of completion of online theoretical knowledge training and examination for remote pilots in subcategories A1 and A3, including the specific format of the remote pilot identification number and the use of a QR code for database verification.

Your proof of completion will have a QR code that authorities (like police or aviation inspectors) can scan to verify your training status in the national database.

To get your A2 certificate, you must: 1) Pass the A1/A3 online exam; 2) Practice flying on your own in an empty area (A3 conditions); 3) Declare you did this practice and pass a 30-question classroom exam on weather, drone performance, and ground risk with at least 75%.

To obtain your A2 Certificate of Competency, you must pass the online theory exam, complete and declare practical self-training, and pass an additional theory exam. The certificate may be issued electronically.

This section establishes the operational, organizational, and safety responsibilities of a UAS operator in the 'open' category, including pilot designation, competency verification, geo-awareness updates, and compliance with class-marking and consent requirements.

The operator must keep copies of your theoretical knowledge certificate and practical skills training accreditation.

You must self-declare your fitness to operate before starting any flight, following the policy defined in the Operations Manual.

This section defines key technical abbreviations (DCM, Ec, AO) and outlines the operational characteristics and limits of PDRA-S01 and PDRA-S02, which are Spanish pre-defined risk assessments derived from European standard scenarios that do not require class-marked aircraft.

This section establishes the minimum age of 16 for remote pilots operating in the 'open' and 'specific' categories, details specific exemptions where no minimum age is required, and outlines the conditions under which Member States may lower these age limits.

Look around your flying area before takeoff to identify obstacles and people. If you are flying a very light drone (under 250g or C0) in subcategory A1, you do not need to perform the formal check for uninvolved persons, though safety remains paramount.

This guidance material explains the remote pilot's responsibility to maintain a thorough visual scan to avoid collisions with manned aircraft, outlining specific actions to take when encountering high-altitude or low-altitude aircraft.

You must complete the required training for your subcategory (A1, A2, or A3) and have your proof of competency with you while flying, unless you are flying a very light drone (like a C0 drone or a private build under 250g).

If a low-flying aircraft is nearby, immediately drop your drone's altitude to below 10 meters and stay at least 500 meters away from it. If you cannot keep this 500-meter distance, land your drone immediately.

This section establishes the comprehensive responsibilities of a UAS operator in the 'specific' category, covering operational procedures, pilot and crew requirements, record-keeping, maintenance, and equipment standards.

This Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC) outlines how to determine and maintain safe Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) range, explaining that the maximum distance depends on the unmanned aircraft's size and environmental factors, and details how to adjust distance and altitude when obstacles are present.

Before and during your flight, look around the area to identify potential hazards like people, roads, buildings, power lines, or nearby airfields that could affect the safety of your flight.

Do not fly your drone if you have consumed alcohol or drugs, or if you are unfit to fly due to tiredness, illness, injury, or medication.

This section outlines the acceptable means of compliance for remote pilots regarding their responsibility to assess and familiarise themselves with the operating environment, weather conditions, and potential electromagnetic hazards before and during flight.

Check the current weather and the forecast for your entire flight window to ensure wind, rain, temperature, or visibility do not exceed the limits written in your drone's manual.

This guidance material defines the term 'other causes' regarding remote pilot fitness, specifying that it includes any physical or mental disorder or sensory limitation that prevents safe operation.

This section outlines the acceptable means of compliance for remote pilots regarding their responsibility to assess and familiarise themselves with the operating environment, weather conditions, and potential electromagnetic interference before and during flight.

This guidance material explains the responsibilities of remote pilots and operators during emergency response efforts, advising them to immediately discontinue operations or maintain a safe distance to avoid interfering with emergency services, hindering aerial support, or violating privacy.

This guidance material defines the term 'emergency response' in the context of the responsibilities of a remote pilot.

This guidance material defines the term 'other causes' regarding remote pilot fitness as any physical or mental disorder, or sensory organ limitation, that prevents safe operation.

If feasible, walk around your planned flying area before taking off to get a clear, ground-level view of any obstacles or hazards.

Before taking off, perform a pre-flight check to ensure your drone is safe to fly and that its direct remote identification system (if it has one) is active and updated.

You must always be in control of your drone, unless you experience a lost connection (lost link) or are flying a free-flight model drone.

If you add a camera, sensor, or other payload to your drone, you must check that the total weight does not exceed the manufacturer's maximum take-off mass (MTOM) or the weight limit of the drone's class.

When preparing for a flight, you can expect Member States to publish information regarding airspace structures, limitations, and no-fly zones in accordance with Article 15 to help you comply with your responsibility to obtain updated restriction information.

You must fly the drone according to the user manual and guidelines provided by the manufacturer, including any wind, temperature, or battery limits.

Under EASA guidance, 'other causes' that prevent you from flying safely include any physical or mental disorders, as well as any limitations in your senses (such as vision or hearing impairment).

Be aware of the lighting conditions (e.g., glare or darkness) and look out for high-power antennas, power lines, or industrial equipment that could interfere with your drone's signals or compass.

This guidance material clarifies that Member States are responsible for providing information on airspace structure and limitations, including limited or no-UA zones, in accordance with Article 15 of the UAS Regulation.

Be aware of the lighting conditions and look out for things like power lines, radio towers, or other sources of electromagnetic energy that could interfere with your drone's signals or damage its equipment.

'Other causes' that unfit you for flight include any physical or mental illness, or any sensory limitation (such as impaired vision or hearing) that would prevent you from flying your drone safely.

An 'emergency response' is any action you take during an unexpected and dangerous event to try to reduce its impact on people, property, or the environment.

An 'emergency response' is any action you take in response to an unexpected and dangerous event to try to limit its impact on people, property, or the environment.

This guidance material defines the term 'other causes' in the context of remote pilot fitness, clarifying that it encompasses physical or mental disorders or sensory limitations that prevent safe operation.

This guidance material defines the term 'emergency response' in the context of remote pilot responsibilities.

This section establishes the acceptable means of compliance for issuing the remote pilot certificate of competency in subcategory A2, including the prerequisite verifications, electronic format option, and the specific format for the remote pilot identification number.

Your certificate will feature a QR code. Authorized personnel (like police or aviation authorities) can scan this QR code or use your pilot ID to verify your training records in the national database.

This section outlines the acceptable syllabus and theoretical knowledge subjects that should be covered in basic online training courses and examinations for remote pilots operating in subcategories A1 and A3.

Defines the operational conditions for UAS operations in subcategory A2, including distance limits from uninvolved persons, remote pilot competency requirements, and aircraft class C2 specifications.

Before flying in subcategory A1, you must read and understand the user manual and instructions provided by your drone's manufacturer.

When you pass your online training and exam, the authority (or an authorized entity) will issue you a proof of completion, which can be electronic.

To fly in subcategory A2, you must read and understand your drone's manual and hold a valid A2 Certificate of Remote Pilot Competency.

This guidance material clarifies that the remote pilot is ultimately responsible for determining the safe distance from uninvolved persons during subcategory A2 operations, taking into account UAS characteristics, weather, and area segregation.

When flying in subcategory A2, you must personally determine what a safe distance from uninvolved people is, taking into account your drone's performance, the current weather, and how well the area is segregated.

You can take your A2 or STS theoretical exam either in person at an approved facility or online with remote proctoring.

This section defines the operational conditions, pilot competency requirements, and aircraft eligibility criteria for conducting UAS operations in subcategory A3 of the Open category.

This section establishes the acceptable means of compliance for the practical-skills self-training required for UAS operations in subcategory A2, detailing the training objectives, equipment specifications, control schemes, and required flight exercises.

This section details the acceptable means of compliance for the additional theoretical knowledge examination required for UAS operations in subcategory A2, specifying the competencies to be demonstrated and the subjects to be covered.

Your self-training must include practicing take-offs, landings, precision flying within a set area, and hovering or loitering. You must also practice emergency procedures (like return-to-home) from the manual, but only if practicing them doesn't require turning off safety features.

The A2 exam covers meteorology (wind, temperature, visibility, forecasts), flight performance (envelopes, mass and balance, payloads, batteries), and ground risk mitigations (low-speed mode, distance from people, and the 1:1 rule).

To pass the A2 theoretical exam, you need to show you understand the risks of flying near people, how to assess ground risk, how to plan flights and contingencies, and how weather affects your drone.

If you take the exam online, the system will verify your identity and monitor your computer traffic, screen, video, and room audio to ensure you do not use unauthorized materials or assistance.

This section establishes the acceptable means of compliance for conducting theoretical knowledge examinations for the subcategory A2 remote pilot competency certificate and STS theoretical knowledge, allowing either face-to-face or online-proctored formats under specific security conditions.

To fly in subcategory A3, you must read and understand your drone's user manual, complete the official online training course, and pass the online theoretical exam.

You must be formally designated as the remote pilot for the flight before operating the UAS.

You must read and be familiar with the manufacturer's instructions for the drone you are flying.

You are responsible for scanning the sky and avoiding collisions because pilots of manned aircraft likely cannot see your drone due to its small size.

If you see any other aircraft, parachute, or airspace user, immediately move your drone to a safe distance. If your drone is flying towards them, land immediately.

This section outlines the acceptable means of compliance for UAS operators regarding operational procedures, clarifying that written procedures are not required for single-pilot operators but are expected for operators employing multiple remote pilots.

If you see an airplane flying very high (at 1 km or higher), you can safely continue flying your drone as long as you stay below your 120-meter limit.

You must be at least 16 years old to fly a drone in the Open or Specific category, unless you qualify for one of the specific exemptions (such as flying a toy, a very light home-built drone, or flying under direct supervision).

This section establishes the comprehensive responsibilities of the remote pilot before and during flight in the Open category, covering competency, pre-flight checks, operational safety, and emergency restrictions.

This guidance material clarifies the responsibilities of the UAS operator under UAS.OPEN.050(3), specifying that a remote pilot must be identified for each flight and prohibiting the handover of control to another command unit during flight in the 'open' category.

A remote pilot must be designated by the operator for your flight.

If you fly as part of an authorized model aircraft club or association, the minimum age limit might be different, as set by your country's national authority in the club's authorization.

If you build your own drone and its maximum take-off weight is less than 250 grams, there is no minimum age limit to fly it.

You do not need to meet any minimum age requirement to fly a Class C0 drone in subcategory A1, provided the drone is officially classified as a toy.

If you are under 16, you can still fly a drone if you are directly supervised by a pilot who is at least 16 years old and holds the required qualifications.

Depending on the EU country you are flying in, the local government might have lowered the minimum age (down to 12 for the Open category, or 14 for the Specific category).

If you are flying at an age younger than 16 because a specific country lowered its age limit, you can only fly in that country. You cannot use that lower age limit to fly in other EU countries.

To comply with the training requirements for subcategories A1 and A3, your online training and examination should cover air safety, airspace restrictions, aviation regulations, human performance limitations, operational procedures, general drone knowledge, privacy, insurance, and security.

If your representative is a company or organization, they must fill in their company name, CIF, address, city, country, province, and postal code.

This section outlines the requirements and procedures for registering as a UAS operator with AESA in Spain, including registration criteria, costs, insurance obligations, and specific procedures for foreign operators.

You can renew your operator registration by logging into the AESA electronic office and submitting a modification. This extends your registration for another 3 years.

Getting your user account approved is not the final step. You must complete the actual operator registration within 90 days, otherwise your account will be deleted and you will have to start over.

If you are a foreign pilot registering as an operator, you can use the e4F system to access the AESA portal as if you had a Spanish digital certificate.

This section outlines the registration requirements for UAS operators when using a representative, detailing the mandatory fields and documentation such as telephone numbers, ID documents, proof of representation, and corporate names for legal entities.

The remote ID add-on you use must allow you to upload your official UAS operator registration number using the process provided by the registration system.

If any of your registered details change, you are required by law to update them in the UAS Operator Register.

At the end of your registration, you must set up a password to access the AESA operator application in the future.

This guidance applies to the organization registering as an operator, not directly to individual remote pilots.

When registering, you must fill in your phone prefix, phone number, and email address (entered twice for confirmation).

You must first create an account on AESA's website. You can choose to sign up either with or without a digital certificate.

To complete your UAS operator registration online with AESA, you must sign the application using the Autofirma software.

You do not have to pay to register as a drone operator with AESA, but you must do it online through their electronic portal.

This section outlines the procedural requirements for registering a UAS operator in Spain when using a representative, including mandatory document uploads, file size limits, and data protection consent.

To register with a digital certificate, click 'Acceder', choose your certificate from the browser prompt, and complete the registration form that appears.

If you only fly in the open category, you do not need to register your individual drones in your AESA profile. You only need to register yourself as a UAS operator.

This section details the mandatory contact information fields for the representative of an organization registering as a UAS operator, and specifies the technical and documentation requirements for submitting proof of representation.

If you temporarily stop all drone activities that require registration, you must notify the Spanish UAS Operator Registry.

This article establishes the obligation for physical persons who are or intend to be UAS operators or remote pilots to interact with AESA exclusively through electronic means, except in sanctioning procedures. It also regulates the consent requirements for processing the personal data of minors under 14 years of age.

This section details the validity, renewal process, and identification requirements for UAS operator registrations in Spain, including specific rules for certificates issued before and after June 25, 2024, and the registration obligations for hired pilots.

You must upload a valid copy of your NIF, NIE, or passport showing both the front and back.

If you are registering a public administration as a UAS operator, you need to select 'Administración Pública' as the person type, provide the DIR3 code, specify whether the activities are EASA or non-EASA, and fill in the mandatory contact details.

Before your operator can apply for permissions or submit declarations, they must list the specific drones in their AESA operator profile.

For organization registrations, the system requires details of the legal representative, including autocompleted identity details, and mandatory email and phone number.

If you reside in Spain and fly a drone in the open category, you must register as an operator with AESA if your drone weighs 250g or more, can transfer over 80 joules of energy in a crash, or has a camera/sensor that can capture personal data (unless it is officially classified as a toy).

You cannot register as a UAS operator or download your operator certificate if you log in without a digital certificate.

If you select Spain as your nationality during registration, you must enter your NIF or NIE. If you select any other nationality, you must enter your NIE or Passport number.

This section details the mandatory documentation that organizations must upload to the AESA electronic portal when registering as a UAS operator, including proof of representation, representative identification, and appointment documents, along with file format and size constraints.

You must indicate if the representation is indefinite or limited. If limited, the date you enter must match the date on your authorization document.

If your operator certificate was issued after June 25, 2024, it is valid for exactly 3 years from the date of issue shown on the certificate.

Registering with AESA is free. If you use a digital certificate on their online portal, the registration is completed instantly.

If you are registering a drone operator profile for a company or legal entity in Spain, you must manually fill out the registration form with the company's legal name (Razón Social), Tax ID (NIF), phone, and email.

If you are a remote pilot or intend to become one in Spain, you are required to conduct all your administrative procedures with AESA electronically, except for sanctioning procedures.

You must enter your full address, postal code, and municipality during registration.

When registering a public administration, you must manually fill in fields such as the DIR3 number, NIF, organic unit name, phone, and email.

This guidance details the required administrator information for Public Administration UAS operator registration.

This requirement does not apply to individual pilots, but organizations must upload proof of representation.

When logged into the AESA application, you must select the specific user profile that you want to register as the UAS operator.

If registering on behalf of an aeromodelling club or association, ensure you check the specific box for 'Clubes y asociaciones de aeromodelismo'.

This is an administrative requirement for organization registration and does not directly affect individual remote pilots.

If you are registering as an individual (natural person), you will log in using your chosen password. If representing a legal entity or public administration, you must use a digital certificate.

If you use a digital certificate, your registration as a drone operator will be processed automatically and immediately.

Go to the selected user's profile and click on the 'Nuevo Registro' button to start the registration process.

If registering through a representative, you must provide their ID (NIF/NIE/Passport), full name, and complete address (including city, country, and province).

If you are acting as the legal representative of an organization, you must provide your personal identification (NIF/NIE/Passport) and name.

If registering a UAS operator as a legal entity (company/organisation) in Spain, you must provide the legal representative's name, surnames, ID type and number (NIF, NIE, or Passport), email address, and phone number.

Once registered, you can view your unique UAS operator number and download your registration receipt and official UAS operator certificate from the portal.

If you register or act as a UAS operator for non-EASA activities (such as military, customs, police, search and rescue, firefighting, or other state operations exempted from the EASA basic regulation), you must be at least 16 years old.

If you permanently stop flying drones in a way that requires registration, you must notify the Spanish UAS Operator Registry.

Once you finish filling out all the required fields in the registry, the system will immediately and automatically issue your unique digital operator registration number.

If your drone is required to be registered under the regulations, you must physically display your unique digital UAS operator registration number on the aircraft.

You must register if you meet the EU criteria for mandatory registration, or if you operate non-EASA services either directly as a public authority (unless you belong to the exempted state forces) or on behalf of one.

This article designates the Aircraft Safety Directorate of AESA as the competent authority for establishing and managing the digital, interoperable UAS operator registry in Spain, and establishes the operator's obligation to display their unique registration number on all applicable aircraft.

This is a procedural recommendation for organizations and does not affect individual pilots.

If you use a representative to register your UAS operator account, you must select the specific representation option. This representative will be able to view and resolve any discrepancies found during inspections.

If you are registering via a representative, their ID copy must be valid and show both sides.

If you are a foreign pilot without a Spanish digital certificate, you must register in the e4F (eSignature for Foreigners) system, create an account without a certificate, and log in using e4F with your passport.

If you are registering a legal entity (such as a company or association) as a UAS operator, you must manually fill in the mandatory contact fields (phone prefix, phone number, email, and email confirmation). The legal name (Razón Social) and Tax ID (NIF) are autocompleted.

If you register as an individual (natural person), you must set a password at the end of the process to access the portal.

This article establishes the rules, obligations, and exceptions for registering as a UAS operator in Spain, including specific provisions for non-EASA public authority operations, voluntary registration for certain state bodies, and the obligation to keep registered data updated.

This guidance is for the registration of Public Administrations as UAS operators and details the mandatory address fields required.

If you do not use a digital certificate to register your user account, AESA must manually check your documents. This process can take about two business days. Once approved, you will receive a confirmation email.

If you perform non-EASA activities (like police, firefighting, search & rescue), you must register as an operator, unless you belong to the specific exempt state bodies (Fuerzas y Cuerpos de Seguridad, CNI, DAVA, DGT).

During registration, you must specify whether the activities performed are under EASA regulations, non-EASA regulations, or both.

You only need to enter your specific drone details into your online operator profile if you are flying in the Specific category (under a declaration, authorization, or LUC).

If your representative is an individual, you must provide their ID (NIF/NIE), address, city, country, province, postal code, and email address.

If your operator certificate was issued before June 25, 2024, it will expire on June 25, 2027, unless you renew it.

This section establishes the mandatory registration requirements for UAS operators and certified unmanned aircraft, defining the thresholds for registration in the open and specific categories, registration location rules, and the obligation to display the registration number.

Establishes the requirement for UAS operators to obtain an operational authorisation before conducting operations in the 'specific' category, defines exceptions (such as declarations or LUC privileges), and outlines the application requirements and update triggers.

This section establishes the technical, data broadcast, and documentation requirements for direct remote identification add-ons placed on the market.

The add-on must come with a manual that explains how to physically mount it on your drone and how to upload your operator registration number.

Creating your user account on the portal does not mean you are registered as a UAS operator. You must still complete the specific operator registration step (described in section 2.a of the guide) to get your operator number.

You can create your initial user account without a digital certificate, but you will need one to complete your UAS operator registration, submit operational declarations, or apply for authorizations.

If you are registering your UAS operator profile through a representative organisation, you must provide the organisation's email and phone number in the designated text boxes.

If someone else is registering on your behalf, you must upload a signed authorization document (such as from the Apodera app or the template in Annex I).

The application for the flight authorization must include a risk assessment, operator registration, mitigation measures, and potentially an operations manual and insurance confirmation.

If you are flying under the Specific category, your operator must be registered, no matter how small or light the drone is.

You must register in the EU country where you live. You cannot be registered in more than one country at the same time, and you must keep your details up to date.

If you fly a drone in the Open category that weighs 250g or more, or is capable of transferring more than 80 Joules of kinetic energy in a crash, your operator must be registered.

If your drone has a camera or other sensor that can capture personal data, your operator must be registered, unless the drone is officially classified as a toy.

You must display your operator registration number on your drone if it meets the registration rules (e.g., weighs 250g or more, or has a camera).

You should obtain technical details like MTOM, wingspan, and speed directly from your drone's manufacturer to fill out registration forms.

If you operate in the specific category, you must register your individual drones in your AESA profile, as their identification is required for operational declarations or authorization requests.

You are no longer required under Article 55 to report the sale or transfer of your registered drone to the registry, as this article was annulled by the Supreme Court.

If you cannot find your drone's manufacturer or model in the registration dropdown, download the specification sheet from the provided link, fill it out, and email it to drones.aesa@seguridadaerea.es.

Unless you built the drone yourself, any drone that does not need to be registered must still have a unique serial number that complies with the ANSI/CTA-2063-A-2019 standard.

Article 40 defines the conditions under which a UAS must be certified, outlines compliance requirements for certified and non-certified UAS in the specific category, and mandates unique serial numbers and remote identification systems for certain operations.

Locate the unique ANSI/CTA-2063 serial number on your drone; you will need this to register as an operator and configure remote ID.

If the drone's design requires certification, the owner must register the aircraft itself. It cannot be registered in more than one country at a time.

You must keep your drone within your direct eyesight at all times. The only exceptions are if you are using 'follow-me' mode or have a designated drone observer next to you helping you watch the airspace.

Keep the drone within 100 meters horizontally from your position and always within your visual line of sight.

This section details the operational requirements for a BVLOS standard scenario involving airspace observers, and outlines the applicability and declaration requirements for Spanish national non-EASA standard scenarios (STS-ES-NE) under Real Decreto 517/2024.

STS-ES-01 is the Spanish national standard scenario for flying within visual line of sight (VLOS) over a controlled ground area in populated areas.

If you use the 'follow-me' automatic tracking mode, the drone must not fly further than 50 meters away from you.

You can use a drone observer to help you keep eyes on the drone, but you must have a clear and reliable way to talk to each other during the flight.

When planning your flight, remember that how far you can fly while maintaining VLOS depends on how big your drone is and what the environment is like (e.g., weather visibility, trees, or buildings).

The ConOps must clearly show where you will fly, including the safety buffers on the ground and in the air, whether you are flying over people, and how much the drone flies itself versus how much you manually control it.

You must always keep the drone close enough to clearly see it with your own eyes and accurately judge how far it is from any obstacles.

If you are flying in an open area with no obstacles and clear visibility all the way to the horizon, you can fly the drone as far out as you can still clearly see it.

If there are obstacles nearby, bring your drone closer so you can accurately judge its distance from them. Also, keep the drone low enough so it is 'shielded' by the obstacles, as manned aircraft usually fly higher than these obstacles.

You must keep your drone in sight at all times, watch the sky for manned aircraft to avoid collisions, and land or stop the flight immediately if it becomes unsafe for people, animals, other aircraft, or property.

The operator must keep a list of all personnel authorized to perform maintenance on the UAS.

The operator is required to keep a log of all maintenance performed on the UAS for at least three years.

Only authorized maintenance personnel on the operator's list should perform maintenance on the UAS.

Ensure the controlled ground area is established and coordinated as required before starting the flight.

Before takeoff, verify that the controlled ground area is properly established, effective, meets the required safety distances, and that any necessary coordination with authorities has been completed.

If you are a registered operator planning to fly in an urban environment or over assemblies of people, you must notify the Ministry of the Interior at least 5 calendar days in advance. The notification can cover operations for the following 5 calendar days, but you must specify the exact dates, times, and locations.

This section provides acceptable means of compliance for UAS operations in subcategory A1, detailing the operational expectations regarding the overflight of uninvolved people for Class C1, Class C0, and privately built UAS under 250g.

You should maintain a horizontal distance from uninvolved persons that is at least the distance your drone would travel in 2 seconds at its maximum speed.

When flying in subcategory A3, you must choose an area where you do not expect any uninvolved people to be endangered within the entire range of your drone's flight path.

Ensure that every person inside the controlled ground area has been briefed on risks and safety measures, and has explicitly agreed to participate before starting the flight.

The risk assessment must evaluate the raw, unmitigated risk of hitting people on the ground (based on population and drone size) and colliding with other aircraft (based on airspace class, altitude, and location).

You must keep your drone at a safe distance from people at all times and never fly directly over crowds or assemblies of people.

If your drone is 3 meters or larger and designed to fly over crowds, it must go through a formal certification process unless it is a lighter-than-air aircraft.

You can only claim a sheltered environment risk reduction if your drone is under 25 kg, flies no faster than 174 knots, and the operation is in an area where people are inside buildings.

Before flying a Class C1 drone, check the area (roads, paths, etc.) to ensure you won't fly over anyone. If someone unexpectedly walks under your drone, fly away from them or move to an empty area immediately to minimize the overflight time.

If you fly a Class C0 drone or a home-built drone weighing less than 250g, you are allowed to fly over people who aren't involved in your flight. However, you should still avoid doing this whenever you can, and be extremely careful if you must.

You can fly as close as 5 meters to uninvolved people if you turn on your drone's low-speed mode and first check that the weather, drone performance, and area isolation make it safe to do so.

When flying in subcategory A2, you must not fly over people who are not involved in your operation, and you must keep at least 30 meters away from them horizontally.

This section establishes the Acceptable Means of Compliance for maintaining a safe distance from uninvolved persons during UAS operations in subcategory A2, defining how to calculate horizontal distance, introducing the '1:1 rule', and setting absolute minimum distance thresholds depending on the operational mode and aircraft type.

When flying in subcategory A3, you should maintain a minimum horizontal distance of at least 30 meters from any passing uninvolved person.

When flying in subcategory A3, you must ensure that your flight path and surrounding area remain clear of uninvolved people so that they are not put at risk during the entire flight.

When flying in subcategory A2, you must generally keep at least 30 m away from uninvolved people. You can fly as close as 5 m only if your drone has an active low-speed mode and you have evaluated the weather, drone performance, and the segregation of the overflown area.

This section provides acceptable means of compliance for UAS operations in subcategory A3, detailing how remote pilots should adjust operations when uninvolved persons enter the area and how to estimate the minimum horizontal safety distance from them.

You should maintain a horizontal distance from uninvolved persons that is at least equal to your flying height (the 1:1 rule). For example, if flying at 30 meters high, stay at least 30 meters away horizontally.

If an uninvolved person enters your operational range, you should adjust your flight to keep them safe, and stop the flight entirely if safety cannot be guaranteed.

This guidance material clarifies the operational differences between subcategories A2 and A3, specifying the minimum distances from uninvolved people for A2 operations and the environmental and distance limitations for A3 operations.

Your operation falls into the 'certified' category if you fly a certified drone and are either flying over assemblies of people, transporting people, or carrying dangerous goods that pose a high risk to others in an accident.

This section defines the criteria for classifying UAS operations in the 'certified' category, which is based either on specific high-risk operational conditions (such as transporting people or flying over assemblies) or on a risk assessment by the competent authority.

Before every flight, you must obtain the latest information about any UAS geographical zones in your flight area.

You cannot fly in military, national defense, or state security zones without prior and express permission from the authority or manager responsible for that zone.

You cannot fly inside these critical infrastructure zones unless you have received express, written permission beforehand from the owner or manager of the facility, and you must follow any conditions they set.

If you are proposing a particular UAS geographical zone, you might not need a certified flight procedure design provider to design it if the Interministerial Commission determines that the airspace is simple and has low impact on manned flights.

For urgent, unplannable non-EASA flights near private-use (non-public, non-military) aerodromes or heliports, you do not need to follow the standard coordination procedure, provided your organization's risk assessment covers this and you apply equivalent safety mitigations.

Ensure you have express permission from the facility manager before flying near critical infrastructure or essential service facilities.

If you are flying in a Photographic Flight Restricted Zone (ZRVF), you cannot take photos or videos unless CECAF permission has been obtained.

If military units (land, sea, or air) are deployed or operating outside their usual zones, you cannot fly UAS there without authorization from the military commander in charge of the operation.

If you are flying directly for or on behalf of the owner or manager of the critical infrastructure, the standard flight prohibitions and permission requirements of this zone do not apply, though you must still use appropriate safety mitigations.

Before flying in a UAS geographical zone (general or particular), you must check and comply with all the specific operational conditions and limitations set for that zone.

The authority has a maximum of 6 months to decide on establishing a particular UAS geographical zone. If they do not reply within 6 months, your request is considered rejected (negative administrative silence).

Before flying in a protected environmental area, ensure that coordination with the environmental manager has been completed.

Before flying in these zones, you must get explicit, written permission from the owner/manager of the facility or the Ministry of Defense, on top of your standard category flight authorizations.

While flying, you must respect and follow all rules and restrictions of the geographical zones you are operating in.

If your drone has automatic geofencing that stops you from entering restricted areas, it must do so safely and display a clear warning on your screen.

You must keep the drone's airspace limitation (geozone) database updated. The controller will warn you if you approach restricted airspace.

Ensure the drone's geo-awareness database is updated with the latest zone information for your flight location.

Ensure you have reviewed the geographical zone information for your flight area before taking off.

If your drone has a geo-awareness system, the operator should provide you with the latest downloaded geographical data so you can upload it before flight.

This Acceptable Means of Compliance outlines how a UAS operator should download and provide the latest geographical data to the remote pilot for upload to the UA's geo-awareness system.

This section establishes the obligations of manufacturers when placing UAS or remote identification add-ons on the Union market, including conformity assessments, CE marking, documentation retention, product labeling, and corrective actions.

The drone packaging must include an official EASA notice explaining your legal obligations and limitations.

This section outlines the product requirements for Class C2 unmanned aircraft systems, including low-battery warning systems, lighting for controllability and night conspicuity, comprehensive user manual specifications, and the inclusion of an EASA information notice.

DCM stands for Maximum Characteristic Dimension. For airplanes, it is the wingspan; for helicopters, the rotor diameter; and for multirotors, the maximum distance between the tips of opposite propellers.

Your drone must come with a manual that explains its characteristics (like mass, payload limits, and sound power), operational instructions, maintenance, troubleshooting, and safety risks.

This section outlines the mandatory information, technical characteristics, operational and maintenance instructions, and regulatory notices that must be included in the manufacturer's instructions for the UAS.

When flying a Class C1 drone, you must plan your flight to avoid flying over any uninvolved people. If someone unexpectedly walks under your drone, you must fly away or land as quickly and safely as possible to minimize the overflight time. You must never fly over assemblies of people (crowds).

If you build your own drone and want to fly it in subcategory A1, it must weigh less than 250 grams (including battery and cameras) and its maximum speed must be less than 19 meters per second (approx. 68 km/h).

Do not modify your C0, C1, C2, or C3 drone in any way that violates its product standards unless the manufacturer's manual explicitly allows and describes that modification.

You must use a drone with a Class C2 label, and you must ensure its remote ID and geo-awareness (map/geofencing) systems are turned on and updated before flying.

In subcategory A3, you can only fly a drone that is either: privately built (weighing under 25 kg), a legacy drone meeting Article 20(b) rules, or officially class-marked as C2, C3, or C4. If flying a C2 or C3 drone, you must ensure its direct remote identification and geo-awareness systems are active and updated.

You are permitted to operate a Class C0 drone within subcategory A3 operational boundaries.

A drone carrying a C0 class label (under 250 g) can be flown in subcategory A1.

This section establishes the requirements for classifying UAS operations in the 'open' category, including aircraft eligibility, weight limits, visual line of sight, maximum altitude, and prohibitions on dangerous goods and dropping materials.

This section establishes the classification requirements for UAS operations in the 'open' category, defining limits on aircraft class, maximum take-off mass, operational distance from people, visual line of sight, maximum altitude, and cargo restrictions, as well as dividing the category into three sub-categories.

The total weight of your drone, including the battery and any cameras or accessories you attach, must be less than 250 grams.

If you use the follow-me function, the drone must stay within 50 meters of you, and you must always be able to take back manual control of the aircraft.

Your drone or controller must warn you when the battery is low so you have enough time to land safely.

This section establishes the technical requirements for Class C4 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including weight limits, control restrictions, manual contents, and labeling.

This section defines product requirements for Class C1 unmanned aircraft systems, specifically limiting the range of follow-me mode to 50 meters, requiring a comprehensive user's manual, and mandating the inclusion of an EASA information notice.

When operating the UAS, you must have access to the manufacturer's instructions containing these technical details, operational limits, and procedures.

The drone packaging must include an official EASA information notice explaining your legal obligations and limitations under EU law.

The drone must be safely controllable by you following the manufacturer's instructions, even if one or more systems fail.

The drone must be designed to fly safely and predictably, even if a system fails, as long as you follow the manual.

Unless your C1 drone is a fixed-wing airplane, it must comply with strict noise limits.

The drone packaging must include an official EASA information sheet explaining your basic legal responsibilities as a pilot.

Ensure your drone has the official C2 class label affixed to the aircraft before operating.

Your Class C3 drone packaging must include an official information notice from EASA explaining your legal obligations and limitations under EU drone regulations.

This section specifies the mandatory information that must be included in the manufacturer's instructions for the UAS, as well as the requirement to include an official EASA information notice regarding EU law limitations and obligations.

The drone is equipped with lights to help you see and control its orientation and flight path.

Ensure your C4 drone has the official C4 label visibly affixed to the aircraft.

Your C4 drone cannot have automatic flight modes (like autonomous waypoints), except for basic flight stabilization and a pre-set control position for lost link safety.

You can only fly in the Open category if your drone has an official class marking (C0-C6) under EU rules, is privately built, or meets the transitional requirements of Article 20.

Drones and products subject to these regulations must conform to the technical design and class requirements specified in the Annex.

If your drone is not classified as a toy, it must meet European machinery safety standards for risks not directly related to the flight itself (such as physical hazards on the ground).

When updating your drone's software, the update must not disable or alter features in a way that violates the drone's original certification or class requirements.

This section defines the technical, design, and documentation requirements for a Class C0 Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), including weight, speed, height, and electrical limits, as well as exemptions for toys.

This article establishes the core compliance requirements for UAS products, including conformity with specific parts of the Annex, the applicability of the Machinery Directive for non-flight safety risks of non-toy UAS, and the restriction that software updates must not compromise product compliance.

Your drone must have a visible Class C0 label on its body.

If the Class C0 drone is officially classified as a toy, it does not have to meet the strict industrial design, stability, and electrical standards required for non-toy drones.

The drone is designed to be safe, with rounded edges and features that reduce the risk of cuts or injuries if it accidentally hits someone.

The total weight of your C4 drone, including payload, must be less than 25 kg.

The drone's maximum speed when flying straight and level must not exceed 19 meters per second (approx. 68 km/h or 42.5 mph).

The drone is designed with a built-in limit that prevents it from flying higher than 120 meters (approx. 400 feet) above the spot where you took off.

If you use the 'follow-me' feature, the drone must stay within 50 meters (approx. 164 feet) of you, and you must always be able to take back manual control instantly.

The drone must have lights to help you control it and to make it visible at night, allowing people on the ground to tell it apart from manned airplanes.

Your drone must come with a manual that explains how to fly it safely, its technical limits (like weather restrictions), and the risks of operating it.

Unless it is a fixed-wing drone, your C1 drone or its packaging must display a label showing its guaranteed sound level.

This section establishes the technical, design, and performance requirements for a class C1 Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), including weight, speed, height limits, remote identification, and geo-awareness.

When flying at night, the drone's lights must make it visible and clearly distinguishable from manned aircraft to anyone on the ground.

Your drone must come with a manual covering its characteristics, operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, limitations, and risks. You should read and follow it.

The drone must come with a manual that explains its characteristics, how to operate and maintain it, how to upload airspace limits, and the risks involved.

The drone packaging must include an official EASA information notice explaining your legal obligations and limitations.

This section outlines the product requirements for Class C1 Unmanned Aircraft Systems, specifically detailing requirements for low battery warnings, controllability and night conspicuity lighting, user manual contents, and the inclusion of an EASA information notice.

Your drone comes with a user manual containing essential information on its characteristics, how to operate and maintain it, and safety risks.

The manufacturer's manual for your Class C3 drone must contain specific details, including its characteristics (like MTOM and data link loss behavior), clear operating and maintenance instructions, troubleshooting, and operational limitations.

Do not fly a Class C2 drone if its total weight, including any cameras, sensors, or payloads, is 4 kg or more.

Check that your drone (if not fixed-wing) has a visible noise level label affixed to the body or packaging.

When flying close to people (e.g., in subcategory A2), you must be able to select a low-speed mode that limits your speed to 3 m/s or less.

Your drone must comply with legal noise limits. Do not modify the propulsion system in a way that increases noise levels.

This Acceptable Means of Compliance outlines the responsibilities of UAS operators regarding modifications, maintenance, and payload additions for UAS with class identification labels (C0 to C4), specifying when modifications invalidate class conformity and how class C4 UAS are uniquely treated.

You can replace parts on your drone for maintenance without it being considered an unauthorized modification, as long as you use original parts or parts approved in the manufacturer's instructions.

You can attach payloads (like cameras or accessories) to your drone without losing its class rating, provided the manufacturer allows it and the payload fits their specified guidelines.

If you use unapproved payloads or perform maintenance contrary to the manual, your drone loses its class rating. You must remove the class label and can then only fly it under 'specific' category rules.

Unlike other classes, you are allowed to modify a Class C4 drone. If you do, it is treated as a 'privately built' drone and you can still fly it in subcategory A3.

Modifying your drone in a way that changes its weight or performance beyond the manufacturer's specifications or manual instructions will breach its CE class mark compliance.

This guidance material clarifies what constitutes a modification that breaches CE class marking compliance, confirming that identical part replacements are permitted and that the user manual should guide maintenance.

Refer to the drone's user manual for instructions on how to perform maintenance and make changes without voiding the CE marking.

You can replace parts (like propellers) with identical ones of the same design and characteristics without breaching the drone's CE marking.

This guidance material clarifies that UAS operations in subcategory A3 may be conducted using Class C0 or Class C1 unmanned aircraft, as the safety envelope of subcategory A3 encompasses that of subcategory A1.

You can fly a Class C1 drone in subcategory A3, but it must have an active, updated direct remote identification system and a functioning geo-awareness system.

Check that the drone has its official class label (e.g., C0-C4) affixed and that the EU declaration of conformity is available.

If you are flying a Class C1 drone, you must ensure that its remote ID broadcast system and geo-awareness (airspace boundary warning) systems are turned on, active, and fully updated before you take off.

Drones without a C-class label that were placed on the market before 2024 can still be flown in A1 if they weigh less than 250 g including everything on board.

In subcategory A1, operations with an unmanned aircraft referred to in points (5)(a), (5)(b) and (5)(c) of UAS.OPEN.020 may overfly uninvolved persons, but shall never overfly assemblies of people.

When flying in an urban environment, the geographical zone limits extend horizontally to the edge of the urban area, and vertically up to 300 meters (1,000 feet) above the tallest obstacle located within 600 meters of your drone (provided that obstacle is within the urban area's horizontal limits).

An urban environment is defined as consolidated population centers, residential/commercial/industrial areas with paved roads, pedestrian access, drainage, and public lighting, or public recreational areas (like local parks, gardens, and beaches) with leisure or sports facilities.

The operator must have an effective emergency response plan and must have verified contingency and emergency procedures through flight tests or simulations.

In subcategory A3, you must keep your drone at least 150 m horizontally away from any residential, commercial, industrial, or recreational areas.

When flying in urban areas, you must strictly respect the minimum distances to buildings as defined in your operational declaration or authorization.

Before flying in an urban area, verify that the operator has notified the Ministry of the Interior at least 5 days in advance.

You must maintain a horizontal distance of at least 150 metres between your drone and any residential, commercial, industrial, or recreational zones.

Ensure that the maintenance instructions for your UAS, including manufacturer guidelines, are written in the Operations Manual.

Any maintenance performed on the UAS must strictly follow the instructions defined in the Operations Manual.

Operate the UAS in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions or the operator's equivalent document.

If you and another person are both responsible for an infraction and the authority cannot determine who did what, both of you will be held fully liable together.

If you commit an infraction (such as violating noise rules, safety regulations, or failing to cooperate with authorities), you as the pilot in command or the operator can be held administratively liable.

Article 52 of Ley 21/2003 defines the physical or legal persons who are administratively liable for different types of aviation infractions, establishes joint and several liability when individual participation cannot be determined, and rules out liability exemptions for unincorporated business associations.

This section establishes the rules governing the concurrence of liabilities for aviation infractions in Spain, including the independence of sanctions, the prohibition of double jeopardy (non bis in idem), and the coordination between administrative sanctioning procedures and criminal proceedings.

If you repeatedly commit serious aviation safety infractions in Spain, they will be legally reclassified as very serious infractions, which carry much higher penalties.

General UAS geographical zones for public safety and protection in urban environments do not apply to operations carried out in the execution of non-EASA activities or services.

Infractions are categorized into three levels of severity (minor, serious, or very serious), which determines the potential penalties.

This section establishes that recidivism in committing serious aviation safety infractions, as defined in article 44(2) of Ley 21/2003, upgrades those infractions to very serious infractions when assessed in accordance with Ley 30/1992.

A UAS operator must communicate to the UAS operator registry when they definitively cease all activities requiring registration.

The minimum age to act as a remote pilot to perform non-EASA activities or services is established at sixteen years.

Only natural or legal persons who are responsible for the acts constituting an infraction, even by simple non-observance, may be sanctioned.

A UAS operator must communicate to the registry when they temporarily suspend all activities requiring registration.

Declared operations may begin once the UAS operator has received the proof of submission issued by AESA.

When registering a Public Administration as a UAS operator, the postal code of the registered office address must be provided in the mandatory 'C.P.' field.

If the organization's main headquarters is in a country that is neither Spain nor an EASA member state, the 'Province' field is removed, and the applicant can register as a UAS operator in Spain after completing user registration.

The email of the administrator or responsible person of the representative organization must be confirmed by writing it again directly in the corresponding text box.

Remote pilots are permitted to use Spanish in aeronautical communications with ATS provider units.

The communication of temporary suspension of activities results in the suspension of the registration's effectiveness and the temporary loss of effectiveness of previously submitted operational declarations, operational authorizations, and LUCs held by the operator.

Suspended operational declarations, operational authorizations, and LUCs will recover their effectiveness and full validity without further formality when the operator communicates the end of the temporary suspension and the resumption of activity to the registry, without prejudice to Article 51, letter d).

The minimum age to act as a UAS operator is established at sixteen years.

For open category operations under section UAS.OPEN.020 using a Class C1 UAS with an MTOM (including payload) of 250 grams or more, the remote pilot must maintain a horizontal safety distance of at least 5 meters from buildings, stable building-like structures, houses, and private residences (including their recreational areas, patios, and similar areas), even if the operation is conducted outside those areas.

The competent body, owner, or responsible administrator of a building, house, or residence (including recreational areas, patios, and similar areas) may, upon prior request from the UAS operator, exempt them from or reduce the overflight prohibition and the safety distances of 5m and 30m, provided other operational conditions and applicable UAS geographical zone rules are met.

Based on the low risk levels of the national standard scenario, the scenario may contemplate measures equivalent to the requirements of Appendix 3.

UAS operators who are natural persons residing in Spain or legal persons with their main place of business in Spain must register digitally directly in the UAS operator registry when required by Article 14(5) of the Implementing Regulation.

During the UAS operator registration, the applicant must provide the address of the organization's main headquarters.

The remote pilot may reduce the horizontal safety distance to a minimum of 5 meters when using a Class C2 UAS with an active low-speed mode function.

UAS operators who are natural persons residing in Spain or legal persons with their main place of business in Spain must register digitally directly when they perform non-EASA activities or services directly as the public authority responsible, unless they are specific exempted security, intelligence, or traffic forces.

For the purpose of general UAS geographical zones in urban environments, 'urban environments' include publicly accessible recreational areas with permanent or temporary leisure, recreation, or sports facilities, including beaches meeting both criteria and local parks or gardens.

When the use of the aviation band is required for aeronautical communications, remote pilots must hold a valid language proficiency certificate of at least operational level (level 4) under Orden FOM/1146/2019 to prove adequate knowledge of the language(s) used.

National standard scenarios may exempt from the requirements of Appendix 3 when, due to the low risk levels of the corresponding scenario, compliance is not necessary.

For a Public Administration registration, the administrator's telephone number must be indicated by typing directly into the mandatory 'Teléfono' text box.

Those obliged to insure their liabilities may stipulate higher liability limits or unlimited liability, notwithstanding the indemnity limits established in this provision.

UAS operators holding a light UAS operator certificate (LUC) are exempt from requiring an operational authorization or declaration.

The temporary suspension of registration does not affect the operator's obligations and responsibilities arising from inspection activities, before, during, or after the suspension, regarding periods of activity.

When registering as a legal entity, all data in the mandatory fields must be entered manually.

UAS operators who are natural persons residing in Spain or legal persons with their main place of business in Spain must register digitally directly when they perform non-EASA activities or services on behalf of a public authority without being part of it.

During the registration of a legal entity, the user must check the 'Clubes y asociaciones de aeromodelismo' box if the entity is an aeromodelling club or association.

When registering as a natural person, the user must select their date of birth using the calendar.

UAS operators required to register who intend to operate in urban environments or over assemblies of people must notify the Ministry of the Interior at least five calendar days before the scheduled start of the operation.

When the use of the aviation band is required for aeronautical communications, remote pilots must hold a practical radio operator training certificate issued by an authorized examiner, valid for two years, to prove their radio operator qualifications.

Administrative infractions typified in this law can be minor, serious, or very serious, in accordance with the subsequent articles.

The address of the administrator or responsible person of the representative organization must be provided directly in the corresponding text box.

AESA may recognize alternative ways to accredit radio operator qualifications and language proficiency through Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC).

If a resident of an EASA member state other than Spain is selected, the UAS operator registration certificate number issued by that member state must be entered.

General UAS geographical zones for public safety and protection in urban environments extend horizontally over the physical boundary of the defined urban environments.

When registering as a natural person without a digital certificate, the user must manually enter their name and surnames directly into the text boxes.

Physical persons must establish a password at the end of the registration process to access the operator registration application, which will be provided to the user in case of representation.

In the administrator details section, the type of identification is selected and the identification number of the administrator is indicated in an autocompleted field.

For the purpose of general UAS geographical zones in urban environments, 'urban environments' include population centers with areas consolidated by buildings.

Competent public safety authorities in the territorial scope of the operation may limit or prohibit the operation if it poses serious risks to the protection of people or property.

Non-compliance with the prior notification obligation or with imposed prohibitions/restrictions may be subject to the sanctions regime of Organic Law 4/2015 on Public Safety if the conduct constitutes an infraction under Chapter V of that law.

For the purpose of general UAS geographical zones in urban environments, 'urban environments' include residential, commercial, or industrial areas whose land cumulatively has at least road access, paved public roads for pedestrian access, water drainage, and public lighting.

Administrative infractions in civil aviation consist of the actions or omissions typified as such in this law.

General UAS geographical zones for public safety and protection in urban environments extend vertically up to 300 meters (1,000 ft) above the tallest obstacle within a 600-meter radius from the UAS, provided the obstacle is within the horizontal limit of the urban environment.

In the open category, the remote pilot must ensure that the UAS does not fly over buildings, stable building-like structures, houses, or any other private residence, including their recreational areas, patios, and similar areas, whether public or private.

In national standard scenarios, the competent body of AESA may determine the non-application of UAS classes set out in the Delegated Regulation, establishing equivalent requirements that UAS must prove to operate in the corresponding national standard scenario.

The representative's telephone number is a mandatory field and must be entered directly into the text box.

Prior to establishment, the applicant of a temporary UAS geographical zone must inform the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) of those zones whose planned use is superior to 1 month.

When the use of the aviation band is required for aeronautical communications, remote pilots must hold an indefinitely valid theoretical radio operator training certificate issued by AESA to prove their radio operator qualifications.

When registering a natural person without a digital certificate, all mandatory fields in the 'Tipo de Persona' section must be filled in manually.

If the representative or grantor is a legal person, the corporate name (razón social), identification number (CIF), and address (dirección) must be provided in the designated text boxes.

The minimum age to act as a UAS operator to perform non-EASA activities or services is established at sixteen years.

The city or municipality of residence of the user of the organization or public administration must be indicated by writing directly in the text box.

The communication of definitive cessation results in the permanent loss of validity of prior operational declarations, operational authorizations, and Light UAS operator Certificates (LUC).

For legal entities registering as UAS operators, the email address of the legal representative must be provided by typing it directly into the corresponding text box.

When UAS operations are carried out within the framework of aeromodelling clubs or associations authorized by AESA, the insurance obligation may also be met when the club or association has subscribed an insurance policy or other financial guarantee covering the civil liabilities of all UAS operations of its members within the scope of the authorization.

Certain tethered aircraft (as defined in the EU Basic Regulation) are exempt from this national decree.

If you fly entirely indoors or in a closed space where the drone cannot easily escape to the outside, this regulation does not apply to your flight.

While the minimum horizontal distance rules are meant to protect people, you can also apply them to protect property and animals.

Your drone must weigh less than 25 kg (including fuel/battery and payload) at takeoff to be flown in the Open category.

When near an emergency, make sure you do not get in the way of emergency helicopters or planes, and do not use your drone's camera to record or spy on the victims or emergency workers.

You are not allowed to carry any dangerous cargo or drop anything from your drone while flying in the Open category.

If you see emergency services active in your flight area, you must land or leave the area immediately, unless they have explicitly given you permission to fly. If you continue flying under authorization or while clear, you must keep a safe distance so you do not interfere with or endanger their work.

This section provides guidance for remote pilots and operators when an emergency response effort is occurring in their operational area, advising them to discontinue operations or maintain a safe distance, avoid hindering aerial support, and protect privacy.

The open category is split into A1, A2, and A3. Your rules and requirements depend on which subcategory you are flying in.

If you are flying an unmanned sailplane (model glider) along a slope under this derogation, your aircraft's maximum takeoff mass (including payload) must not exceed 10 kg.

Because subcategory A3 flights must be kept at least 150 meters away from residential, commercial, and industrial areas, they are considered safe enough to encompass the less restrictive subcategory A1 operational envelope.

Ensure your equipment is operating correctly to avoid causing radio interference during flights.

You must follow the operational procedures developed by your operator, which are designed for the specific risks of the flight.

If you are flying in A2 or A3 and have involved persons in the area, make sure they are briefed on the risks and have explicitly agreed to be part of the operation.

Open category operations are split into three sub-categories depending on the weight of your drone and where you fly relative to people.

You cannot hand over control of the drone to another pilot's controller/command unit while the drone is in flight.

When flying in the 'open' category, you must follow all the rules and limits (like altitude and distance from people) specified in Part A of the Annex.

Do not fly higher than 120 meters from the closest point on the ground.

Under PDRA-G01, you can fly BVLOS in sparsely populated areas up to 150 m high and 1 km away (without Airspace Observers) using a drone with a maximum dimension of 3 m and kinetic energy up to 34 kJ, in uncontrolled airspace.

If you fly in the specific or certified category outside a UAS geographical zone, you are exempt from standard airspace equipment rules as long as you stay at or below 120 meters, unless your specific authorization, standard scenario, or certificate requires such equipment.

You cannot fly close to tall man-made obstacles (like buildings or antennas) under the height exception unless the operator has explicit permission from the entity responsible for that obstacle.

This article establishes the equipment requirements for UAS operating in Spain, distinguishing between operations inside UAS geographical zones and those outside them, and provides specific exemptions for the open category and certain low-altitude operations in the specific and certified categories.

The ConOps must clearly state your flight limits: how high and far you can fly, what weather conditions (wind, rain, visibility) you can operate in, whether you can fly at night, and what airspace classes you are restricted to.

Establishes the subcategories of the open category and defines the maximum height limits of 120 metres from the earth's surface, including exceptions for operations near tall artificial obstacles and for light unmanned sailplanes.

This guidance explains the background and safety measures for the unmanned sailplane derogation, which allows model gliders to fly along slopes up to 120 meters above the remote pilot, provided their maximum takeoff mass does not exceed 10 kg.

The drone must limit your height to 120 m. If the limit is selectable, the controller must display clear, real-time height information.

You must keep your drone within 120 metres (approx. 400 feet) of the closest point of the ground. If you fly over hills or mountains, you must adjust your flight path to maintain this distance from the sloping terrain.

If you are flying within 50 metres horizontally of an artificial obstacle (like a tower or wind turbine) that is taller than 105 metres, you can fly up to 15 metres above the top of that obstacle, but only if the entity responsible for the obstacle has requested you to do so.

When flying an unmanned sailplane along a slope under this derogation, you must not fly higher than 120 meters above your own position (the remote pilot), rather than measuring 120 meters from the closest point of the terrain.

If you are flying an unmanned sailplane weighing less than 10 kg, you can fly higher than 120 metres from the ground directly below it (for example, over a valley), as long as the sailplane is never more than 120 metres higher than you (the pilot) standing on the hill.

If you are flying in a geographical zone where the local authority has set a lower height limit than 120m, you must respect that lower limit.

This guidance material explains the 120-meter maximum height limit relative to terrain topography, the requirement to comply with lower limits in national geographical zones, and the necessity of obtaining explicit permission from the responsible entity to operate close to artificial obstacles.

You must keep your drone within 120 meters (400 feet) of the ground. This height limit follows the contours of the terrain.

You must fly your drone within 120 meters of the ground, unless you are overflying an obstacle under the conditions specified in the Annex.

Under PDRA-G02, you can fly BVLOS in sparsely populated areas within reserved or segregated airspace, using a drone with a maximum dimension of 3 m and kinetic energy up to 34 kJ. Height limits are defined by the airspace reservation.

Before flying near any civil or military aerodrome or heliport, make sure prior coordination has been completed with the infrastructure manager and the ATS provider.