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Main novelties of the new UAS DR in EASA Operations

Main novelties of the new UAS DR in EASA Operations

Thursday, July 18, 2024
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Madrid, 18 July 2024 (AESA)

On June 25, 2024, Royal Decree 517/2024came into force, which develops the legal regime for the civil use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), which allows to adapt the national regulations with the European Regulations regarding the use of unmanned aircraft.

The new UAS Royal Decree entails amendments to various regulatory aspects applicable to EASA operations, such as the reduction of minimum insurance requirements in certain operational categories, the modification of the minimum ages of remote pilots or the definition of new UAS Geographical Areas.

All the information is available and updated in the UAS/Drones area of the AESA website.

Availability of liability insurance

The new regulation introduces novelties in the field of insurance, responding to the demand of the sector and allowing the requirements for low-risk operations to be relaxed.

With regard to the availability of liability insurance, the obligation to have operations with UAS insured is abolished:

- In the ‘open’ category, within subcategory A1, and
- In the ‘open’ category, within subcategory A3, provided that they are carried out with aircraft of an MTOM of less than 20 kilograms.

UAS operators with unmanned aircraft with an MTOM of less than 20 kilograms carrying out open-category operations other than those indicated above must be insured, and must comply with the provisions of Royal Decree 37/2001 of 19 January 2001.

UAS operators with unmanned aircraft with an MTOM equal to or greater than 20 kilograms shall be insured in accordance with Regulation 785/2004.

In addition, provision is made for the possibility of taking out insurance for specific operations, and it is not necessary to take out a policy on a permanent basis.

 

Minimum ages of remote pilots

Article 7 of Royal Decree 517/2024 provides for a reduction in the minimum ages for remote pilots to operate in the open category without the direct supervision of a pilot over 16 years of age, as permitted by Article 9 of the Implementing Regulation.

The following table shows the new minimum age limits established for each subcategory of operation and depending on the UAS used on the flight:

Tabla 1. Edades mínimas de piloto a distancia

 

On the other hand, the minimum age established for remote pilots in a specific category is not modified, being therefore 16 years as indicated in Article 9 of the Implementing Regulation.

 

New requirements for UAS Geographical Areas

In addition to the general rules of operation of drones depending on the operational category, depending on the place of operation, the operator may be subject to compliance with other requirements or find the flight limited or prohibited.

The geographical areas of UAS that establish the conditions of use of airspace and the requirements for additional equipment have been established in Chapter V of Royal Decree 517/2024, where recreational and professional activities are equated, unifying the requirements and limitations for all UAS operators.

In order to make it easier for UAS operators and pilots to comply with the requirements and limitations of geographical area distances, a new Zoning Guide has been developed providing all the detailed information on flight requirements and limitations at certain locations such as: controlled airspace or FIZ, in the environment of aerodromes or heliports, in urban environments and on critical infrastructure among others.

Additionally, ENAIRE makes the ENAIRE Drones web application available to UAS users. This application presents on the map of Spain both the geographical areas of UAS and the prohibitions and limitations of flight to UAS.

On June 26, the Spanish Aviation Safety Agency (AESA), in collaboration with the DGAC, in its commitment to public service, held the first information day for EASA Operators. In it, the main changes produced with the entry into force of the new Royal Decree UAS were detailed, in addition to resolving the main doubts of the attendees. For all those people who want to revisit the day, it is available through the AESA YouTube channel, at the following  target="_blank">link.