Non-EASA direct activities

Open-category operations

The open category covers all operations with low operational risk UAS.
For those operations that fall under the open category in accordance with Article 4 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, the UAS operator should:

• Be registered and incorporate in their aircraft their operator number. For further details and exclusions see here.
• Ensure that remote pilots carrying out UAS operations are adequately trained for the relevant subcategory, as indicated here.
• Check the specific requirements depending on the place of operation or the type of activity to be performed. For more information see here.
• Have an insurance policy that covers civil liability against third parties, as indicated here.

Operations in specific category

Standard scenario

The operation of UAS according to a standard scenario adopted under the Implementing Regulation, or by a national standard scenario adopted by the State Aviation Safety Agency, does not require the submission of the operational declaration.

However, the responsible body shall ensure that the operation is carried out subject to the relevant standard scenario.

As an aid to direct Non-EASA operators conducting operations in National Standard Non-EASA Scenarios (STS-ES-NE), guidance material is provided for the development of the General Operations Manual, as well as the ConOps specific to each scenario (Link to STS-ES-NE)

Operational authorisation

Category-specific operations that cannot be carried out under a standard scenario shall not require an operational authorisation issued by EASA.

The body vested with public authority responsible for the respective activity or service must ensure that the operation is carried out:

• After carrying out an operational risk assessment in accordance with the technical standards published by EASA, adopted by AESA or through the SORA (Specific Operation Risk Assessment) methodology,
• With sufficient technical and professional solvency, and
• Applying the necessary mitigating measures to make the operation safe.

It is therefore for the body responsible for that activity to authorise the implementation of the activities, to ensure that they are carried out in accordance with the applicable regulations in accordance with their operational category and to adopt the procedures determining the mitigation measures to be applied.

In any case, an equivalent level of security should be ensured, taking into account the security objectives of the Basic Regulation and its delegated and implementing acts.

Contact AESA UAS Division:

In case of doubt or special situations related to non-EASA direct activities or services, you can direct your query to the drone mailbox (drones.aesa@seguridadaerea.es).