UAS/Drones
Drone Operator Registration/UAS
- Use in the ‘open’ category any unmanned aircraft:
- With an MTOM of 250 g or more, or which, in the event of a collision, is capable of transferring to a human a kinetic energy greater than 80 joules;
- equipped with a sensor capable of capturing personal data, unless it complies with Directive 2009/48/EC (“Toys Directive”).
- Use an unmanned aircraft of any mass in the ‘specific’ category.
IMPORTANT: Information regarding the expiry date of the UAS operator registration certificate
With the entry into application of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, all UAS operators intending to conduct UAS operations (including model aircraft operators) shall be registered as an operator* when using any of the following types of UAS:
In clarification of the above points of registration requirements as an operator for low weight UAS, further information is provided in the following document: Information on drones of less than 250g.
A UAS operator is any natural or legal person who uses or intends to use one or more UAS (including model aircraft operators).
Registration must take place in the Member State of residence or where the economic activity takes place, it being not possible to be registered in more than one State at a time.
Registration as a UAS operator with AESA is free of charge and is done through its website (linkto the procedure). This procedure will be automatic and immediate if a digital certificate is used.
The UAS operator registration number generated shall be included in all drones of the operator.
Only in the case that it is going to carry out operations in the ‘specific’ category under operational declaration, operational authorisation or LUC, it is necessary to enter the UAS in the profile of the UAS operator. There is an explanatory video that guides the UAS operator in the section Operations with UAS/Drones - Specific Category.
You must have an insurance policy that covers civil liability against third parties for damages that may arise during and because of the execution of each flight that is made. For more information on insurance, see the section on UAS/drones regulations.
The following guide and video details the instructions to follow to register as a UAS operator:
Important note: User registration ‘APROBADA’ does not imply registration as a UAS operator. It is necessary to access the UAS application and register as a UAS operator within a maximum period of 30 days after user registration; otherwise the system will eliminate the user having to perform this procedure again.
Contact AESA UAS Division:
In case of doubt or special situations related to the registration of UAS operator, you can direct your query to the drone mailbox (drones.aesa@seguridadaerea.es).
