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What classes do drones have?

2024-02-29
What classes do drones have?

Changes to drone regulations regulate not only the conditions for flying, but also what devices can be flown with. As of January 1, 2024. operations in the open category must be performed with a drone that:

  • is privately built, or;
  • has an assigned class of C0 to C4, or;
  • does not have a class assigned, but was marketed before December 31, 2023.

etykieta identyfikacyjna klasy C0 C4

There are already drones on the market with a label identifying the class of the. If you buy a drone with a class assigned, you can be sure that it meets all requirements. Remember that the same drone can be with or without a class mark - such a situation is, for example, when the drone is older and has not been updated with a label.

How to update your drone to have a class?

Those who purchased a drone before December 31, 2023. can apply for certification of their drone if the manufacturer has brought the model in line with the guidelines. The whole process is free. Follow these guidelines:

  1. Update your drone's software to the latest version
  2. For DJI drones - in the DJI app you will find on the start screen of the service> report label. Fill in the required details and submit. For other manufacturers, contact by email.
  3. By regular mail the label will come to you (about 20 working days). Stick it on the drone.
  4. Take pictures of your device and send them to the manufacturer for confirmation
  5. After verification of the photos, you will receive to the document confirming.

przepisy kategoria

Ready! Your drone has the assigned class. To know if you can apply for certification, or if the drone you bought meets the requirements - the refer to the following list of drones that have received the class identification label.

Drones with C0 class assigned

This class includes drones weighing less than 250 grams. We present a list of drones that have C0 certification:

Subcategory A1 flight rules for C0-certified drones

Flying drones in this class is the easiest. You can download an additional infographic [here].

1. Operational limitations:

  • Ban on flights over human congregations.
  • Keep flight altitude below 120 m above ground level.
  • Can be performed only within visual range of the pilot (VLOS).

2. Drone operator registration and training:

  • Mandatory registration as a drone operator aLC website.
  • You do not need to have any training.

3. Pilot Responsibilities:

  • Read the instruction manual carefully.
  • Minimum age for remote control is 16 years old. No minimum age if the drone is a toy.
  • The drone must be marked with the name of the operator.
  • Prior to your flight, perform a check-in in the PansaUTM system.

Drones with C1 class assigned

This class includes drones weighing less than 900 grams. Below is a list of drones that are C1 certified:

Subcategory A1 flight rules for C1-certified drones

Flying drones with a C1 certificate, you are obliged to perform training. You can download an additional infographic [here].

1. Operational limitations:

  • Ban on flights over human congregations.
  • Minimize flights over uninvolved peopleMaintain flight altitude below 120 m above ground level.
  • Can be performed only within visual range of the pilot (VLOS).

2. Drone operator registration and training:

  • Register as a drone operator aLC website.
  • Gain A1/A3 pilot competency - do free A1/A3 training and pass the theory exam online at the ULC website.

3. Pilot Responsibilities:

  • Read the instruction manual carefully.
  • Minimum age for remote control is 16 years old. No minimum age if the drone is a toy.
  • The drone must be marked with the name of the operator.
  • Prior to your flight, perform a check-in in the PansaUTM system.

Drones with C2 class assigned

This class includes drones weighing less than 4 kg. Below is a list of drones that are C2 certified:

Subcategory A2 flight rules for C2-certified drones

The A2 subcategory requires additional training for the pilot, so it is the most time-consuming route. You could fly your drone in subcategory A3, but it is with this training that you can get close to buildings and people. In addition to the information below, we provide a downloadable infographic [here].

1. Operational limitations:

  • Ban on flights over uninvolved people.
  • Maintain a horizontal distance of 30 m from uninvolved people (this can be reduced to 5 m if the low-speed function is enabled).
  • Keep flight altitude below 120 m above ground level.
  • Can be performed only within visual range of the pilot (VLOS).

2. Drone operator registration and training:

  • You must register as a drone operator on the ULC website.
  • Gain A1/A3 pilot competency. Do free A1/A3 training and pass the theory exam online.
  • Do the training and the exam at the nursery for A2 - "Remote Pilot Certificate of Competence" (can also be in online form, cost is approx. 100 zloty).

3. Pilot Responsibilities:

  • Minimum age for remote control is 16 years old.
  • The drone must be marked with the name of the operator.
  • Prior to your flight, perform a check-in in the PansaUTM system

Drones with C3 class assigned

This class includes drones weighing less than 25 kg. Below is a list of drones that are C3 certified:

Subcategory A3 flight rules for C3-certified drones

All it takes is an easy training course, but due to the heavy weight of drones, this subcategory imposes significant operational barriers on the pilot. Read the guidelines below and check out the downloadable infographic [here].

1. Operational limitations:

  • Ban on flights over uninvolved people.
  • Maintain a horizontal distance 150 m from uninvolved individuals and urban areas.
  • Can be performed only within visual range of the pilot (VLOS).

2. Drone operator registration and training:

  • Register as a drone operator aLC website.
  • Gain A1/A3 pilot competency - do free A1/A3 training and pass the theory exam online at the ULC website.

3. Pilot Responsibilities:

  • Read the instruction manual carefully.
  • Minimum age for remote control is 16 years old. No minimum age if the drone is a toy.
  • The drone must be marked with the name of the operator.
  • Prior to your flight, perform a check-in in the PansaUTM system.

What if my drone does not have a C0- C4 class assigned to it?

If your drone was launched before December 31, 2023. and does not have a class assigned and probably will not get one, then nothing is lost. You can fly:

  1. In subcategory A1, if the weight of the drone does not exceed 250 grams.
  2. With a drone weighing more than 250 grams, but not more than 25 kg in subcategory A

Additional information

It is expected that other models will soon be certified as well, e.g., DJI has announced that around March 2024 it has the DJI Air 2S drone is expected to receive its class of. We will try to keep the above list up to date.

Sources:

https://www.easa.europe.eu/en/domains/civil-drones-rpas/open-category-civil-drones

https://www.easa.europe.eu/en/document-library/general-publications/drones-information-notices

Author
Marcjanna Hubert
Chief editor of the Megadron blog, professionally involved with drones for 5 years. Student of New Media in Communication. Passionate about graphic design and travel, fascinated by the magic of storytelling through video. Creates a bridge between Megadron and customers by adding social media content: Instagram i Facebook.
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