Stricter drone regulation is postponed

Training and registration for drone pilots will not become mandatory until January 1, 2021. The reason for the six-month delay is the Corona crisis.

Once the new rules for drone pilots are in force, pilots will be able to fly according to the same rules throughout European airspace. This has advantages in other ways as well: Harmonization will enable cross-border transfer of drone technology. Ultimately, this creates the basic prerequisite for the growing drone industry. Finally, unmanned aerial vehicles are also increasingly being used for professional purposes, such as inspection flights.

What are the new rules from 2021?

According to EU regulations, there are three different categories for the operation of unmanned aerial vehicles. The vast majority of drones, especially in the recreational sector, are operated in the open category. This category regulates the operation of drones, which can generally be operated without a license, as their safety risk is considered to be low.

According to the Swiss Federal Office for Civil Aviation (Bazl), the following today new following regulations from 2021:

• In the open category, a new Maximum flight altitude of 120 meters above ground. As before, the drone must be operated in direct visual contact. This means that the drone pilot can see the drone's flight position and direction at all times.
• The Minimum age for independent operation of a drone is 12 years in the open category. Younger children may only fly a drone under the supervision of a person at least 16 years old who meets the requirements.
• Newly applies a lower Weight limit of 250 g instead of 500 g. This means that, until further notice, drones under 250 g have to avoid only nature reserves and areas in the immediate vicinity of airports. Crowds of people may no longer be flown over in the open category, this also applies to drones under 250 g flying weight.
• Traditional model flight: For traditional model aviation, the EU regulation allows sufficient leeway for exceptions until the end of 2022. The regulation of future operations is being developed in close cooperation with the Swiss Model Aviation Association. The future registration and restriction areas (see drone map FOCA; cf. here), on the other hand, also apply to traditional model flight.
• For model airplane pilotsFor pilots who do not fly for a federation or club, the regulations for the open category apply.
• The new regulation requires pilot registration, online training and an online test for most use cases in the open category. Swiss legislation does not currently provide for mandatory training for drone pilots. Completion of courses and exams has been based on a voluntary basis by the respective pilots until now. With the adoption of the EU regulation, Switzerland must introduce a Training solution which includes online training and an online examination. Unfortunately, the courses and certificates already acquired on a voluntary basis cannot be recognized in principle during the changeover to the new system. In the future solution, however, care will be taken to ensure that it is as cost-effective as possible for the open category and that it is not time-consuming.

Flying drones in FPV mode (pilot with goggles and observer standing next to him with direct visual contact to the drone) can continue within the usual framework, as the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (Bazl) writes.

For specific questions, also on the other categories, the Bazl refers to its FAQ about the New Drone Regulationwhich are supplemented on a regular basis.

(Bazl / rs)

A detailed article on the topic of "Drones - Benefits and Threats" can be read in the Security Forum from early September (Request trial subscription here).