• The Advanced Center for Aerospace Technologies (CATEC) obtains the UAS Light Operator Certificate (LUC), the second issued by AESA.
• The LUC certificate provides greater operational autonomy, recognizes the operator's safety management capacity and reinforces the professionalization of the drone industry in Spain and Europe.

Madrid, 9 September 2026 (AESA)

The State Aviation Safety Agency (AESA) has issued a new UAS Light Operator Certificate (LUC) to the Advanced Center for Aerospace Technologies (CATEC), thus reinforcing the maturity and consolidation of the UAS sector in Spain.

Following the issuance of the first LUC certificate in February 2024, AESA continues to make progress in promoting this model, which recognises operators with a high level of organisational, operational and safety management maturity.

The LUC certificate allows authorized operators to more autonomously manage certain operations with UAS, previously evaluated, without the need to request an approval for each of them. In addition, the particularities of this certificate can be exercised both in Spain and in the other Member States of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

This capacity translates into greater agility to plan operations and reduce administrative burdens, always maintaining the highest safety standards required by European regulations.

The granting of this new certificate to CATEC shows the progress and maturity that the UAS sector is reaching in Spain. As a reference center in aerospace research and technological development, CATEC has proven to have the necessary procedures, resources and management systems to access this recognition.

For AESA, the expansion of LUC certificates is an important step towards boosting innovation in the sector. With this new certification, AESA reaffirms its commitment to the safe, efficient and innovative development of operations with UAS.