• The characteristics and conditions for the use of UAS in non-EASA activities within Spanish airspace are defined.

• They apply to operations within visual range of the pilot (VLOS) over a controlled area in a populated environment, and operations beyond visual field (BVLOS) with observers over a controlled area in a sparsely populated environment. 

• The new training of UAS pilots for this type of scenario is defined, and the new theoretical-practical and practical training requirements for the Faculties are published.

 

Madrid, 20 December 2024 (AESA)

The entry into force of the new UAS regulations, Royal Decree 517/2024, has introduced important changes in the regulation of so-called civil non-EASA activities, i.e. those aimed at carrying out operations with military, customs, police, search and rescue, firefighting, border control, coastal surveillance or similar UAS, under the control and responsibility of a Member State, undertaken by or on behalf of a body vested with public authority (direct activities).

In order to adapt the needs of this type of operations to the new regulation, the State Aviation Safety Agency (AESA) has defined two new national standard scenarios specific to non-EASA activities (STS-ES-01NE and STS-ES-02NE) approved by the Resolution of the Directorate of AESA with code GR-D-031. 

It defines the characteristics and conditions of the national standard scenarios in Spain, these being applicable only in the territory and airspace of Spanish sovereignty to the use of unmanned aircraft to which Royal Decree 517/2024 applies, and only when non-EASA activities or services are carried out.

STS-ES-01NE. VLOS over a controlled land area in a populated environment. 

To operate under this national standard scenario, all the requirements and limitations defined therein must be met. They can be found here. 

As a summary, the following requirements are highlighted: 

• Operations in an urban environment over a controlled land area A controlled land area is defined as one in which the UAS is used and in which the UAS operator can ensure that only participants are present.
   
• In uncontrolled airspace (class F or G), or in controlled airspace, in accordance with coordination procedures established (if required), so as to ensure a low probability of encounter with manned aircraft.
   
• At a maximum distance of 120 m. from the nearest point on the Earth's surface.
   
• Within the visual range of the VLOS pilot.
   
• The unmanned aircraft shall not carry dangerous goods.
   
• At a ground speed of less than 5 m/s.
   
• By a remote pilot with the theoretical and practical knowledge defined for this standard scenario, using only one unmanned aircraft at a time and never from a moving vehicle.
   
• With an unmanned aircraft with an MTOM of less than 10kg, which, although not class marked, meets specific technical requirements.
   
• In accordance with the UAS Operator Operations Manuals.
   

STS-ES-02NE. BVLOS with airspace observers over a controlled ground area in a sparsely populated environment.

To operate under this standard scenario, all the requirements defined in it must be met. They can be found here.

As a summary, the following points are highlighted:  

• Operations in a sparsely populated over a controlled land area.
   
• In an area where the minimum flight visibility is greater than 5 km.
   
• In uncontrolled airspace (class F or G), or in controlled airspace, in accordance with established coordination procedures, so as to ensure the low probability of encounter with manned aircraft.
   
• At a maximum distance of 100 m from the nearest point on the Earth's surface.
   
• The unmanned aircraft shall not carry dangerous goods. 
   
• At a ground speed of less than 33 m/s.
   
• They are performed in accordance with the operations manual of the UAS operator.
   
• By a remote pilot with the theoretical and practical knowledge defined for this standard scenario, using only one unmanned aircraft at a time and never from a moving vehicle.
   
• With an unmanned MTOM aircraft of less than 25kg which, although not class marked, meets specific technical requirements.
   
• With the unmanned aircraft visible to the remote pilot during its launch and recovery.
   
• If no airspace observer is involved, with the unmanned aircraft flying at a maximum distance of 1 km from the remote pilot, and following a pre-programmed trajectory when the remote pilot does not have it in VLOS mode.
   
• If they involve one or more airspac observers , the following conditions shall be met:
   
  • airspace observers are positioned to adequately cover the operational volume and surrounding airspace;
     
  • the unmanned aircraft is not used more than 2 km from the remote pilot;
     
  • the unmanned aircraft is not used more than 1 km from the observer in the airspace closest to the unmanned aircraft;
     
  • the distance between any of the airspace observers and the remote pilot does not exceed 1 km;
     
  • robust and effective means of communication are available between the remote pilot and airspace observers.

UAS Geographical Areas

The operator may be subject to compliance with additional requirements or find the flight limited or prohibited.

The  Guide to UAS Flight Requirements and Limitations depending on the place of operation (UAS Geographical Areas provides detailed information on requirements, flight limitations in each of the UAS Geographical Areas.

ENAIRE makes available to users the ENAIRE Drones, web application, which presents on the map of Spain the geographical areas of UAS and the prohibitions and flight limitations for unmanned aircraft.

Submission of an operational statement

It is important to note that bodies vested with public authority that carry out non-EASA activities (non-EASA direct operators) do not have to submit an operational declaration in AESA. However, the responsible body shall ensure that the operation is carried out subject to the relevant standard scenario.

UAS operators carrying out non-EASA activities on behalf of the public body (indirect non-EASA operators) and wishing to benefit from a standard scenario must submit an operational declaration electronically through the AESA website.

All the information is available in the Indirect Non-EASA Activities section of the AESA website.

Entities empowered to train remote pilots in national standard scenarios (STS-ES-NE)

The training of remote pilots in national standard scenarios specific to non-EASA operations must be carried out through an Entity empowered to provide theoretical-practical and practical training specific to this type of scenario. Likewise, a declaration must be submitted before the start of the training activity to AESA and ensure compliance with the provisions of Article 21 of Royal Decree 517/2024. 
 
The national standard scenarios No EASA (STS-ES-NE) are only valid for operations within the territory and airspace of Spanish sovereignty, therefore, the practical accreditations issued by the authorised entities will have no validity either in the other EASA Member States or in third countries.

Remote pilot training for STS-ES-NE

With regard to the training required to carry out operations in the STS-ES-NE, this Resolution establishes that remote pilots must be in possession of a certificate of theoretical knowledge of remote pilot (STS) issued by the State Aviation Safety Agency, in accordance with the definition of the corresponding standard scenarios.

In addition, you must have a practical remote pilot training, and be in possession of a complete accreditation of practical skills in one of the following scenarios; 

• The national standard scenarios No EASA (STS-ES-NE), included in the AESA Resolution with code GR-D-031, which must be obtained through an authorized entity.
   
• The national standard scenarios (STS-ES), ras set out in the EASA Management Resolution approving national standard scenarios (STS-ES) for UAS operations in the ‘specific’ category under an operational declaration in accordance with Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947. This type of accreditation must be obtained through a recognised entity or declared operator to provide training in the national standard scenarios (STS-ES)
   
• European Standard Scenarios (STS), collected through Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 on the rules and procedures for the use of unmanned aircraft. This type of accreditation must be obtained through a recognised entity or operator declared to provide training in European Standard Scenarios (STS).

All this information and more is available in the UAS / Non-EASA Drones Remote Pilot Training section of the AESA website, as well as in the Faculties section.

Transitional period

Operators performing non-EASA activities or services are reminded to have until 25/06/2025 to fully adapt to the provisions of Royal Decree 517/2024, except for the use of the airspace and geographical areas of UAS, which is applicable to them since their entry into force.

Pending the full adaptation of non-EASA activities or services, the provisions of Royal Decree 1036/2017 of 15 December 2017 shall apply to these UAS operations. 

Additional information: All the novelties introduced by Royal Decree 517/2024 regarding Non-EASA activities are summarized in the news Activities No EASA: main novelties introduced by Royal Decree 517/2024