Regulations for Drones as Defined by EASA (2019/947)
In the European Union (EU), the operational and technical framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) is governed by a series of regulations, primarily EASA Regulation 2019/947, 2019/945, and the U-space regulations (EU 2021/664, 2021/665, and 2021/666).
### Key Definitions and Regulatory Framework
- **Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS):** The term encompasses the unmanned aircraft, remote pilot/controller, and any other necessary elements for operation, standardised under EASA regulations to harmonise drone use across the EU.
- **Risk-Based Categories of Operation:** Operations are categorised into three risk levels: Open, Specific, and Certified. Low-risk operations (Open Category) do not require prior authorisation or operational approval, while medium-risk operations (Specific Category) require authorisation from the national aviation authority based on a risk assessment or standard scenarios. High-risk operations (Certified Category) have requirements similar to manned aviation certification.
- **Remote Identification (Remote ID):** By 1 January 2024, EU-wide Remote ID requirements will mandate that nearly all drones broadcast identification data, enabling authorities and the public to identify drone flights.
### Regulation (EU) 2019/947 on drone operations
- Establishes rules for drone operations, including conditions for each risk category, operational scenarios, pilot competence, and requirements for authorisation and approvals. - Includes a "declarative" framework and operation risk assessment (SORA) process for specific category operations to determine operation safety levels. - Sets requirements for flight manuals, organisational structures, and configuration management for higher SAIL levels.
### Regulation (EU) 2019/945 on drone product standards
- Defines technical and manufacturing standards for drones and their components, ensuring conformity for placing unmanned aircraft on the EU market.
### U-space Regulations (EU 2021/664, 2021/665, 2021/666)
- Aim to support safe, efficient, and secure access to airspace for large numbers of drones, especially in urban environments or where drone traffic is dense. - Govern the implementation and operation of U-space services, which are the drone traffic management systems enabling automated flight permissions, tracking, geofencing, and conflict detection.
### Additional Context
- Some EU member states, like Germany, have exercised exemptions and adaptations for specific national circumstances. - The period between 2023–2025 is seen as a phase of integration where old national regulations are being replaced by fully harmonized EU drone laws and preparing for the future introduction of certified category operations and full U-space deployment.
In sum, EASA Regulations 2019/947 and 2019/945 establish a EU-wide harmonized legal framework for drone operations and standards, focusing on risk-tiered categories, pilot competence, and technical requirements, while the U-space regulations provide the airspace management layer needed to safely handle advanced drone traffic in complex environments.
- The EU regulations, such as EASA Regulation 2019/947, 2019/945, and the U-space regulations (EU 2021/664, 2021/665, and 2021/666), govern the planning and management of drone operations within the European Union.
- These regulations define rigorous safety and compliance standards for drone operations in the airspace, outlining conditions for each risk category, operational scenarios, and pilot competence.
- The drone industry is also subject to financial considerations, with regulations setting requirements for both product standards and organizational structures, enforced through the conformity of drones and their components.
- To ensure safety and compliance, the EU will mandate Remote ID by 1 January 2024, requiring nearly all drones to broadcast identification data.
- Regulation (EU) 2019/947 includes a declarative framework for specific category operations, utilizing an operation risk assessment (SORA) process to determine operation safety levels.
- The U-space regulations aim to improve efficiency and security by facilitating the implementation and operation of U-space services, critical for automated flight permissions, tracking, geofencing, and conflict detection, especially in urban environments.
- Technology advances, education, and self-development are crucial to the evolution of the drone industry, as countries like Germany have demonstrated by using exemptions and adaptations for specific national circumstances, preparing for the future integration of certified category operations and full U-space deployment between 2023–2025.
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