FAQ

Do you have questions about our services or drone solutions? Check out our FAQ section for answers to the most common questions about our drone services, consultations and legislative requirements. If you can't find what you're looking for, don't hesitate to contact us - we'll be happy to help!

Who is a drone operator?

A drone operator is any individual or organization that owns or leases the drone(s). You can be both a drone operator and a remote pilot as long as you are also the person who actually flies the drone. However, you can be a remote pilot without being a drone operator, for example if you are a pilot working for a company that provides drone services. In this case, the company is the drone operator and you are the remote pilot.

If you bought a drone to fly it at your leisure, you are both the operator of the drone and the remote pilot.

If you bought a drone as a gift, the person who will receive the gift and subsequently fly the drone will be the drone operator and remote pilot.

Types of drones covered by the regulation

"Unmanned aircraft" means any aircraft operated or intended for autonomous operation or remote control without a pilot on board;

Types of drones

This definition includes all types of aircraft without a pilot on board, including radio-controlled flying models (fixed-wing, helicopters, gliders), whether or not they have a built-in camera.

The regulation uses the term UAS, unmanned aircraft system, to refer to a drone, its system and all other equipment used to control and operate it, such as a command unit, a possible catapult to launch it, and others.

RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems) is a subcategory of UAS that also includes fully autonomous UAS. Fully autonomous UAS fly completely by themselves without the need for any pilot intervention.

What is the difference between autonomous and automatic drone operation?

An autonomous drone is able to perform a safe flight without the intervention of a pilot. It does this with the help of artificial intelligence, which enables it to cope with all kinds of unforeseen and unpredictable emergencies. This differs from automated operations where the drone flies along predetermined routes defined by the drone operator before the flight begins. For this type of drone, it is essential that a remote pilot takes control of the drone in order to intervene in unforeseen events that the drone was not programmed for. While automatic operation is permitted in all categories, autonomous drone operation is not permitted in the open category.


Autonomous drones need a level of verification of compliance with technical requirements that is not compatible with the system established for the "open" category. However, autonomous operations are allowed in a "specific" category, where the regulation contains a sufficiently flexible tool to verify the requirements with an appropriate level of robustness. Autonomous operations are also allowed in the "certified" category.

Who is a non-participant?

"A non-participant is a person who is not participating in the operation of the UAS or who is unaware of the instructions and safety precautions provided by the UAS (drone) operator."
A person is considered to be involved if they decide to be part of the operation, understand the risk and are able to control the position of the drone during flight.

Therefore, in order to be considered "participating" in the operation, a person must:
    • give consent to be part of the operation (e.g. consent to a drone flyover); consent must be explicit;
    • receive instructions and safety measures to be applied in the event of an emergency from the drone operator/remote pilot; a
    • not be engaged in any other activities that would prevent the person from monitoring the drone's position and taking steps to mitigate damage in the event of an incident.
Writing on a board that a drone will be used during the event is not considered sufficient, as the drone operator needs to get individual express consent and make sure people understand the risk and procedures to be taken in case of an emergency.
During operation, the persons involved are expected to follow the trajectory of the drone and be prepared to take steps to protect themselves in case the drone behaves unexpectedly. If during the operation of the UAS, persons are busy working or watching something that is not compatible with the monitoring of the trajectory of the drone, they cannot be considered as participating.

What is a gathering of people?

A gathering of people is a crowd of people. It is not defined by a specific number of people, but it depends on with the possibility of an individual to move to avoid the consequences of a collision with a drone, which is out of control. If a group of people is so crowded that their ability to freely escape or move away from the drone is limited, then it is considered a gathering of people

An example of a gathering of people can be events:

  • športové, cultural, religiousé or politicalé;

  • beaches or parks on a sunny day;

  • businessé streets during shop opening hours; or

  • ski resorts/tracks/lanes.

What do the regulations cover?

These EU regulations take a risk-based approach and as such do not distinguish between leisure or commercial activities. They take into account the weight and specifications of the drone and the operation it is intended to perform.

Regulations apply to drones:

1. when operating in the "open" category:

i. those that will have a class designation (according to Regulation (EU) 2019/945) ranging from classification class 0 to 6 from lighter to heavier models; or

ii. privately produced; or

iii. those placed on the market before July 1, 2022.

2. when operating in a "specific" category, all drones falling into that category, including those without a class designation.

EU Regulation 2019/947 covers most types of operations and their risk levels. And that through three categories of operations: "open", "specific" and "certified" categories.

Is it possible for an EASA member state to maintain its national drone regulation in parallel with the new European drone legislation?

No The EU Drone Regulation is a law that became immediately applicable in all EU member states from 31 December 2020 and supersedes national regulations, which are therefore no longer applicable. However, the European drone regulations provide some flexibility to Member States in creating acts to define certain aspects, such as:


 • Minimum age for remote pilot
 • Conversion of certificates issued before the entry into force of the EU regulation
 • Model club and association authorization
 • Fines for violation of the regulation
 • Use of geographic zones
 • Insurance


EASA Member States cannot develop any additional drone regulations on a subject already regulated by the European Drone Regulation.

Are certificates issued in the UK for unmanned aircraft systems, including remote pilot training, accepted in the EU after 31 December 2020?

The UK withdrew from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) system on 1 January 2021. From that date, EU legislation no longer applies in the UK, which is considered a third country.
This means that in accordance with Article 41 of Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/945, operators of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) who have their principal place of business, are established or reside in the United Kingdom must comply with Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/947 on purposes of operations within the single European airspace. The competent authority for a UAS operator from a third country who wants to operate in the EU is the competent authority of the first Member State in which the UAS operator intends to operate.

As an exception to the above provisions, the competent authority of an EU Member State may, in accordance with Article 41 of Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/945, recognize a remote pilot certificate of competency or a UAS operator certificate issued by a third country, provided that all of the following conditions are met:
 • a third country has requested such recognition,
 • the certificate of competence of the remote pilot or the certificate of the operator of the UAS are valid documents of the issuing state; a
 • the commission, in consultation with EASA, ensured that the requirements on the basis of which such certificates were issued provided the same level of safety as Regulation (EU) 2019/945;
The UK has not yet started the above recognition process, so currently UK certificates cannot be recognized for UAS operations within the Single European Sky.

Do I have to register my drone?

Drones do not need to be registered unless they are certified, but you as the operator/owner of the drone must register yourself. You do so at the national aviation authority of the EU country in which you reside. With us through the Transport Office portal (https://nsat.sk/)
You register once, regardless of how many drones you operate in the "open" or "specific" category. Your registration will be valid for a period determined by your national aviation authority, after which you must renew it.
However, you do not need to register if your drone:
 • weighs less than 250 g and has no camera or other sensor capable of detecting personal data; or
 • even with a camera or other sensor, it weighs less than 250 g and is a toy (that is, the documentation shows that it meets the definition of "toy" discussed in Directive 2009/48/EC);
A drone is certified when it has a certificate of airworthiness (or limited certificate of airworthiness) issued by the National Aviation Authority. In this case, registration is required. A certified drone is only necessary when the risk of operation requires it. So certification is never required for drones operated in the "open" category.

What happens when I register?

After registration, you will receive a "Drone Operator Registration Number" which must be displayed with a sticker on all drones you own, including privately built ones. You also need to upload it to the "drone remote identification system".

Will my registration as a drone operator be recognized across Europe?

Yes, you as a drone operator will receive a unique registration number that will be valid in all other EASA member states. You cannot register twice.

How can I fly my model?

Model pilots have the following options for conducting their operations:

  1. They may act as members of a model club or association that has been authorized by the competent authority as defined in Article 16 of the UAS Regulation. In this case, they should follow the procedures of the model club or association in accordance with the authorization. The permit will define all conditions of operation and may deviate from the regulation (for example, it may permit operation with drones weighing more than 25 kg or flying above 120 m, etc.). Member States may allow modeling clubs and associations to register their members in the registration systems established in accordance with Article 14 on their behalf. If this is not the case, members of modeling clubs and associations shall register in accordance with Article 14.

  2. If a person does not want to become a member of a club or association, he can use the special geographical zones defined by EASA member states in accordance with Article 15 par. 2 of the UAS Regulation, where drones and model aircraft are exempted from certain technical requirements and/or where operational restrictions are extended, including weight or height restrictions.

  3. Finally, the models can be operated in subcategory A3.
Can I fly the drone anywhere I want?

Each EASA member state will designate geographic drone zones, which are areas where drones cannot fly (eg national parks, city centers or near airports) or can only fly under certain conditions, or where they need a flight permit. It is therefore important that you check with the Transport Authority (alternatively us) to check where you can and cannot fly your drone.

Can I fly over people?

In general, when operating in the "open" category, you cannot fly over non-participants unless you have a privately built drone weighing less than 250g or a drone purchased on the market with a class 0 or 1 ID tag. In any case, try to minimize the time during which you fly over people.

If you have a drone with a CE mark of class 2, in subcategory A2, in general, keep the drone at a lateral distance from any non-participant that is not less than the height at which the drone is flying (the "1:1 rule", i.e. if the drone is flying at 40m, the distance from any non-participant should be at least 40m) and never fly closer than 30 meters horizontally from any non-participant. If your drone is equipped with a low speed mode function and it is active, you can fly as close as 5 meters to uninvolved persons.

Distance from non-participating persons in the case of flying a class C2 drone

In all other cases (drones with a Class 3, 4, 5 or 6 ID tag or privately manufactured and heavier than 250g) you must ensure that no unauthorized persons are within operating range.

How high can I fly a drone?

Your maximum flight height is generally 120m above the ground. Check whether the National Aviation Authority has established a lower limit geographical zone in the area you intend to fly. If you need to fly over an obstacle higher than 120 m, it is allowed to fly up to a height of 15 meters above the height of the obstacle, but only at the express request of the owner of the obstacle (e.g. a contract with the owner to carry out an inspection). In this case, you can fly at a horizontal distance of 50 meters from the obstacle.
When working in hilly environments, the height of the drone above the ground should be in the gray zone in the image below: you must keep the drone within 120m of the nearest terrain point. This means that conditions can occur, such as on top of a hill, where even if you keep your drone 120m from the side of the hill, you are actually flying more than 120m above the valley floor. So as long as you keep your drone within 120m of the shoulder of the hill (as in the gray area in the image below) your flight is legal, or in accordance with the regulation.

How do I find out if I can fly to a certain location?

All states are required to publish maps identifying geographic zones where all drone flights are prohibited or where you must have permission to fly before operating. Most countries have mobile phone apps that make it easy to find out where you can fly. We recommend that you follow the VFR map operated by the air traffic service, where you can find all the necessary information.

Is there a minimum age to fly a drone?

The general rule states that the minimum age of remote drone pilots in the "open" and "specific" category is 16 years. However, there are exceptions. There is no minimum age for remote pilot requirements:
 • for flying in subcategory A1 with a class 0 drone;
 • for flying with a privately made drone weighing up to 250 g; or
 • to fly under the direct supervision of a remote pilot who has met the qualification requirements

Do I need insurance?

As a drone operator, you are always required to have your drone insured if you are using a drone that weighs more than 20kg. However, most EASA member states mandate third-party liability insurance even if you operate a lighter drone. Find out on the website of the Transport Office of the member state where you plan to operate, alternatively you can contact us.

How do I find out that I belong to the open category?

How do I know if I belong to the "open" category?
A drone may be operated in the "Open" category when:
 • has one of the identification labels of class 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4;
 • or is privately built and weighs less than 25 kg;
 • or is placed on the market before 31 December 2023 and is not marked with any class identification label as mentioned above;
 • is not operated directly over people unless it has a class identification label or is lighter than 250 g. (Please see the operations sub-categories: A1, A2 and A3 to find out where you can fly your drone);
 • will be maintained in visual line of sight (VLOS) or the pilot will be remotely assisted by an observer;
 • flies at a height of no more than 120 meters;
 • may not transport any dangerous goods and may not drop any material.
I fall into an "open" category, how do I determine which subcategory I can fly under?
The subcategory is determined either:
 • a label with a class identification mark (0, 1, 2, 3 or 4) that is attached to your drone;
 • or the weight of your drone, for privately manufactured drones or for drones without a class identification tag (called “legacy” drones);
Using the instructions above, refer to the chart below to determine the subcategory you must fly under. For example, drones with CE class 2 markings can only be flown in subcategory A2 (close to people) or A3 (far from people).

I bought a DJI Mini (weight 249g), how can I control it?

The DJI Mini is a 249g drone, has a camera and is not a toy (meaning it does not comply with the Toy Directive). In order to comply with Regulation (EU) 2019/947, it is therefore necessary to take the following measures:
 • As a drone operator/owner, you must register with the National Aviation Authority (NAA) of the Member State in which you reside.
 • Upon registration, you will receive a "Drone Operator Registration Number" which must be displayed with a sticker/tag on all drones you own, including privately built ones. You must also upload it to the "drone remote identification system" if the drone has this feature;
 • Always follow the requirements of subcategory A1 when operating the drone.

A remote pilot training certificate is not required to operate this type of drone, but online A1/A3 training is strongly recommended. In addition, most EASA member states mandate the establishment of an insurance policy.

What are the requirements under the open category subcategories?

According to the drone's class identification tag or weight, in the case of privately built drones, they can be operated in different conditions as described below:
Drones with a CE mark of Class 0, or those privately built and weighing up to 250g, can fly in the A1 subcategory, which means almost everywhere, except for gatherings of people or areas prohibited by the state through flight restrictions.
Drones with a class 1 identification tag can also be operated in the A1 subcategory, with the difference that you must minimize the time spent flying over non-participating persons.
Drones with a Class 2 ID tag can be operated in sub-category A2, which means you must maintain a safe distance from any bystanders in an urban environment. As a general rule, this minimum distance should be equal to the height at which the drone is flying (eg if you are flying at an altitude of 30m, make sure that the nearest non-participant is at least 30m from where the drone is flying). In any case, this distance must never be less than 5 m. In addition, you can also fly under the conditions defined for subcategory A3. Finally, you must avoid flying in areas that have been banned by the state by restricting the flight of drones.
Drones with a class 3 or 4 identification tag, or those that are privately manufactured and weigh up to 25 kg, may be operated in subcategory A3. This means they can never be operated in an urban environment where the drone needs to be kept at least 150m away from residential, commercial or industrial areas and only operated in areas where there are no bystanders within range of where the drone can be. In any case, you must avoid flying in areas that have been banned by the state by restricting the flight of drones (for more information, see the website of the national aviation authority of the country, alternatively you can contact us.)

Who issues the Remote Pilot Certificate of Competency for the "open" category and how long is it valid for?

In the case of the "open" category or standard scenarios, the Transport Office of the Slovak Republic is responsible for issuing certificates. The remote pilot competency certificate is valid for 5 years.

Will the certificate of competence for the "open" category be recognized throughout Europe?

Yes, training completed in one EASA member state will be recognized in all others.

What training do I need to fly a drone in the open category?

The type of training required depends on the type of drone you are using.


Remote pilot training from January 1, 2024


The training requirements effective January 1, 2024 are described below. So if you receive a training certificate from the national aviation authority of an EASA member state with the EASA logo as shown below, you can already use it to operate your drone in the "open" category in all EASA member states. Training and exams can be conducted in an EASA Member State of your choice.

Warning: Some websites sell fake training certificates.

Are you interested in quality preparation for passing the exams?

Inquire with us and get first-class training that will prepare you for your chosen category of operation!

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