The requirements for air operations are defined in Commission Regulation (EU) 965/2012 of 5 October 2012, which apply to both commercial and non-commercial operations.

The above-mentioned regulation defines specialised operations as any operation other than a commercial air transport operation in which an aircraft is used for specialised activities such as agriculture, construction, photography, surveillance, observation and patrol, aerial advertising, and maintenance verification flights, with skydiving being one of these operations.

The regulatory reference for take-offs, the Air Traffic Regulation, Book 5 states:

5.1.1. Helicopter landing and take-off

5.1.1.1. Helicopters for landings and take-offs may use:

The specific rule on construction by amateurs is the Order of 31 May 1982 and that is where the specific requirements for this type of aircraft are laid down.

In addition, the Air Traffic Regulation approved by Royal Decree 57/2002 establishes in its seventh section, second book, requirements for general aviation aircraft:

7.2.5.2. For all aeroplanes operating controlled VFR flights in the en-route phase.

All aeroplanes operating controlled VFR flights in the en route phase shall carry the following equipment:

In order to carry out an aerial demonstration with balloons, Royal Decree 1919/2009 applies. In accordance with Article 26 of this Royal Decree, they must submit a responsible declaration in accordance with the requirements set out in the Royal Decree, and request the publication of a NOTAM as set out in Article 18 of that Royal Decree. https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2010-835

The rules applicable to hot air airships are regulated by the European Regulation (EU) 2018/395 laying down detailed rules for the operation of balloons under Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/357 of 4 March 2020 regulates the licence to pilot hot airships, while the private pilot licence for airships is regulated by Regulation 1178/2011.

Until the entry into force of Regulation (EU) 2018/395 last year 2019, in order to carry out tourist flights with balloons it was necessary for the operator (company) to have an authorisation as an airwork company issued on the basis of the provisions of Law 48/1960 of 21 July.

Captive balloons are excluded from Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/395 of 13 March 2018 laying down detailed rules for the operation of balloons by Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council. Therefore, in the field of air operations, it does not require authorisation from the Air Works and General Aviation Service of AESA.

The launch of unmanned free balloons is subject to compliance with the conditions laid down in requirement SERA.3140 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 923/2012 of 26 September 2012. This requirement requires compliance with the requirements of Appendix 2 to the above-mentioned regulation, which can be found at the following link:  https://www.boe.es/doue/2012/281/L00001-00066.pdf   

The ULM has a restricted certificate of airworthiness, as it does not comply with the requirements of Annex 8 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

Circular Instruction 11-05 A of the Directorate-General for Civil Aviation sets out the restrictions applicable to this type of aircraft, among which it is stated that it is only possible to perform private activity without remuneration.

Royal Decree 2876/1982 regulates the use of ultra-light-structured aircraft (ULMs) in national airspace only, so that AESA is not competent to issue permit/flight authorisation in other States.

Since the legislation applicable to this type of aircraft is regulated by each State, it is considered that, in the event that an aircraft with an ultra-light structure goes on a flight to another State, it will be necessary to comply with the provisions governing that territory of ULMs, as required by Article 40 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation.