Training requirements in the 'open' category

For the ‘open’ category or standard scenarios, the National Aviation Authority is responsible for issuing the certificates. A certificate for Remote Pilot competency is valid for 5 years. If the revalidation is conducted before the certificate expires, the remote pilot may attend a seminar provided by the National Aviation Authority or by an entity recognised by it, otherwise competencies need to be re-demonstrated.

Regulatory reference: DRONE.OPEN.070 (1) of EU regulation 2019/947.

Yes, training conducted in one EASA member state will be recognised in all others. 

The type of training required depends on the type of drone you use.

A transitional period until December 31, 2023 applies, and each EASA Member State may define the appropriate remote pilot training requirements according to the following table:

Remote pilot training as from 1 January 2024
The training requirements applicable as from January 1, 2024 are described below. However, most of the EASA Member States already offer the training listed below. In this way, you can already today receive a certificate according to the EU regulation. So, if you receive from an NAA of an EASA Member State one of the certificate of training with the EASA logo as shown below, you may already use it to operate your drone in the ‘open’ category in all EASA Member States. The training and exams can be conducted in an EASA Member State of your choice.

Please pay attention: we are made aware that some illegal websites are selling fake certificates of training. Please trust only the providers of training and exams that are listed in a NAA website!

How to operate drones in the open category from 01/01/2024 (These provisions already apply to drones with C-class marks)

• Privately built and drones placed on the market before 01/01/2024 (under 250 gramm)
  

  Subcategory	A1 (can also fly in subcategory A3)
  Operational restrictions	May fly over uninvolved people (should be avoided when possible) No flight over assemblies of people
  Drone operator registration	No, unless camera / sensor on board and a drone is not a toy
  Remote pilot competence	No training required
  Remote pilot minimum age	No minimum age

• C0   (under 250 gramm)
  

  Subcategory	A1 (can also fly in subcategory A3)
  Operational restrictions	No flight over assemblies of people; Maintain flight altitude below 120m above ground level.
  Drone operator registration	No, unless camera / sensor on board and a drone is not a toy
  Remote pilot competence	Read carefully the user manual
  Remote pilot minimum age	16*, no minimum age if drone is a toy

• C1   (under 900 gramm)
  

  Subcategory	A1 (can also fly in subcategory A3)
  Operational restrictions	No flight expected over uninvolved people (if it happens, overflight should be minimised); No flight over assemblies of people; Maintain flight altitude below 120m above ground level.
  Drone operator registration	Yes
  Remote pilot competence	Read carefully the user manual Obtain a ‘Proof of completion for online training’ for A1/A3 ‘open’ subcategory by: Completing the online training  Passing the online theoretical exam
  Remote pilot minimum age	16*

• C2   (under 4 kg)
  

  Subcategory	A2 (can also fly in subcategory A3)
  Operational restrictions	Must not overfly uninvolved people; Maintain a horizontal distance of 30 m from uninvolved people (can be reduced to 5 m if the low-speed function is activated); Maintain flight altitude below 120m above ground level.
  Drone operator registration	Yes
  Remote pilot competence	Read carefully the user manual Obtain a ’Remote pilot certificate of competency’ for A2 ‘open’ subcategory by: Having a ‘Proof of completion for online training’ for A1/A3 ‘open’ subcategory  Conducting and declare a practical self- training Passing an additional theoretical exam at the NAA or proctored online
  Remote pilot minimum age	16*

• C3   (under 25 kg)
  

  Subcategory	A3
  Operational restrictions	Must not overfly uninvolved people; Maintain a horizontal distance of 150 m from uninvolved people and urban areas; Maintain flight altitude below 120m above ground level.
  Drone operator registration	Yes
  Remote pilot competence	Read carefully the user manual Obtain a ‘Proof of completion for online training’ for A1/A3 ‘open’ subcategory by: Completing the online training  Passing the online theoretical exam
  Remote pilot minimum age	16*

• C4   (under 25 kg)
  

  Subcategory	A3
  Operational restrictions	Must not overfly uninvolved people; Maintain a horizontal distance of 150 m from uninvolved people and urban areas; Maintain flight altitude below 120m above ground level.
  Drone operator registration	Yes
  Remote pilot competence	Read carefully the user manual Obtain a ‘Proof of completion for online training’ for A1/A3 ‘open’ subcategory by: Completing the online training  Passing the online theoretical exam
  Remote pilot minimum age	16*

• Privately built and drones placed on the market before 01/01/2024 (under 25 kg)
  

  Subcategory	A3
  Operational restrictions	Must not overfly uninvolved people; Maintain a horizontal distance of 150 m from uninvolved people and urban areas; Maintain flight altitude below 120m above ground level.
  Drone operator registration	Yes
  Remote pilot competence	Read carefully the user manual Obtain a ‘Proof of completion for online training’ for A1/A3 ‘open’ subcategory by: Completing the online training  Passing the online theoretical exam
  Remote pilot minimum age	16*

Note that an NAA may designate an entity that may conduct the online training and provide the online exam or the exam for the A2 subcategory. Please refer to the NAA’s website for additional information.

Summary