Which are the maximum take-off mass requirements in the 'open' category for drones without class identification label?
Answer
As explained in the following article, Drone Open Category - Applicable requirements to fly from the 1st of January 2024 | EASA and according to the EU Regulation 2019/947, from 1 January 2024, you can fly a drone without a class identification label if you operate in the open category in:
- Subcategory A1: if the drone has a maximum take-off mass of less than 250 g, including its payload;
- Subcategory A3: if the drone has a maximum take-off mass of less than 25 kg, including its fuel and payload.
Only for drones with a class mark, manufacturers have the responsibility for declaring the maximum take-off mass of the drone. This means that, when using a drone without a class identification label the maximum take-off mass is not available. In this case the remote pilot has the possibility to weight the drone before the flight and make sure it is within the above limits.
The information contained in this article is meant purely as a summary of the Drone Regulations. It has no legal effect and shall not be construed as the official guidance of the Agency in accordance with Article 76 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139. The Union's institutions and the Agency do not assume any liability for its contents. The authentic versions of the relevant acts, including their preambles, are those published in the Official Journal of the European Union and available in EUR-Lex.