Regulatory Definitions for Drones According to EASA (2019/947)

Regulatory Definitions for Drones According to EASA (2019/947)

The European Union has established a comprehensive framework for Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) operations, focusing on safety, operational categories, remote identification, and airspace integration. This framework, primarily governed by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and U-space regulations, aims to ensure safe, secure, and scalable drone operations across member states.

Key Regulations

1. EASA Regulation 2019/947 This regulation sets the rules and procedures for UAS operations within the EU. It establishes three operational categories based on risk: Open, Specific, and Certified. Each category has corresponding requirements on registration, pilot competency, and operational limitations. It also introduces the requirement for operators to register and for many drones to carry Remote ID broadcasting capabilities.
2. EASA Regulation 2019/945 This regulation covers the technical standards and certification requirements for UAS and their components. It mandates specific design, manufacturing, and performance criteria to ensure the airworthiness and safety of UAS before they can be placed on the EU market or operated.
3. U-space Regulations (2021/664, 2021/665, and 2021/666) U-space refers to a set of services and procedures designed to support safe, efficient, and secure access to airspace for large numbers of drones operating simultaneously, particularly in urban areas. These regulations define common requirements for U-space services, govern the provision of U-space services, and establish the roles and responsibilities of U-space service providers.

Key Terms

• Remote ID: A system whereby drones broadcast their identity and location information in real time, allowing authorities and the public to identify the operator and track the drone during flight. This is mandatory from 2024 for drones in the Specific category and Open category drones with a class marking.
• Specific Operation Risk Assessment (SORA): A risk-based methodology for assessing and approving higher-risk UAS operations.
• SAIL III and SAIL IV Levels: These describe the higher assurance levels requiring detailed technical and organisational compliance, including airworthiness certification and design verification reports for more complex or risky operations.
• Open Category: Low-risk drone operations that do not require prior authorisation, typically with weight, altitude, and geographic restrictions.
• Specific Category: Operations that exceed Open category limits and require operational authorisation based on risk assessment.
• Certified Category: Highest risk operations requiring certification of the drone, operator, and remote pilot, similar to manned aviation standards.

Additional Context

• EU drone operators must comply with GDPR for data protection during drone operations.
• The framework supports cross-border drone operations within the EU by providing harmonized rules.
• Upcoming updates address certification pathways for larger drones (up to 600 kg) and the integration of autonomous drones through updated risk assessments.

In summary, EU UAS regulations are a comprehensive framework combining operational risk categories, technical certification, airspace integration via U-space, and enforced Remote ID to ensure safe, secure, and scalable drone operations across member states.

Other Important Terms

• Flight Geography: The volume(s) of airspace defined spatially and temporally in which the UAS operator plans to conduct the operation under normal procedures.
• Contingency Volume: The volume of airspace outside the flight geography where contingency procedures are applied.
• Operational Safety Objectives (OSO): Safety targets set for UAS operations to mitigate specific risks.
• Robustness: The property of mitigation measures resulting from combining the safety gain provided by the mitigation measures and the level of assurance and integrity that the safety gain has been achieved.
• Concept of Operations (ConOps): A high-level description of the intended UAS operation, detailing the operational objectives, procedures, environments, and constraints.
• Remote Pilot: The individual directly responsible for flying the UAS.
• Emergency Response Plan (ERP): A predefined plan outlining the actions to take in response to emergencies during UAS operations.
• U-Space Service Provider (USSP): Entities providing services to enable safe and efficient UAS operations within the U-Space framework.
• External Service providers: Companies offering services like training, communication support for the C2 link, navigation, or flight planning services.
• Maximum Take-Off Mass (MTOM): The maximum Unmanned Aircraft mass, including payload and fuel, as defined by the manufacturer or the builder.
• Airspace Observer: A person responsible for visually scanning the airspace to detect potential hazards during UAS operations.
• The Payload refers to equipment or instruments carried by the UAS that are not part of its core systems.
• The C2 Link is the data link between the unmanned aircraft and the command unit for managing the flight.
• The Ground Control Station (Command Unit) is equipment used to remotely control the UAS.
• Direct Remote Identification: A local broadcast system providing information about a UAS in operation, accessible without physical interaction with the aircraft.
• Operations Manual (OM): A document prepared by the UAS operator detailing procedures and measures to ensure safe and compliant operations.
• Ground Risk Class: The intrinsic UAS ground risk relating to the probability of a person being struck by the UAS in the event of a loss of control.
• Air Risk Class (ARC): A qualitative classification of the rate at which a UAS would encounter a manned aircraft in typical generalized civil airspace.
• Ground Risk Buffer: An area over the surface of the earth, which surrounds the operational volume and is specified to minimise the risk to third parties on the surface in the event of the unmanned aircraft leaving the operational volume.
• Unmanned Aircraft Manufacturer: The entity responsible for designing and producing UAS and ensuring compliance with technical standards.
• Unmanned Aircraft Observer: A person assisting the remote pilot by visually observing the aircraft to ensure safe operations.
• Adjacent Area and Adjacent Airspace: Defined zones near the operational area or airspace that may affect or be affected by UAS operations.
• Stakeholders in UAS Operations: Individuals and organisations responsible for operating, monitoring, and regulating UAS operations.
• Payload Operator: A person managing the equipment or instruments carried by the UAS that are not part of its core systems.
• Tactical Mitigation Performance Requirements (TMPR): Measures applied during the operation to address risks as they arise, ensuring safety in dynamic conditions.
• Strategic Mitigations: Risk mitigations applied before an operation to reduce the likelihood of encountering hazardous conditions, such as planning and airspace deconfliction.

1. The navigation and operations of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in the European Union are governed by a comprehensive framework, encompassing three operational categories for varying risk levels.
2. Each operational category, including the Open, Specific, and Certified, imposes specific requirements on registration, pilot competency, and operational limitations, as mandated by EASA Regulation 2019/947.
3. Drone operators in the EU are required to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for data protection during drone operations.
4. Compliant UAS must carry Remote ID broadcasting capabilities to facilitate real-time identification and tracking during flight, as set forth in EASA Regulation 2019/947.
5. To manage and ensure the safety of UAS operations, these businesses must adhere to the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and U-space regulations, providing harmonized rules for cross-border drone operations within the EU.
6. The technology industry is addressing the certification pathways for larger drones (up to 600 kg) and the integration of autonomous drones through updated risk assessments and regulations.
7. The finance and management of UAS operations involve intricate planning, Emergency Response Plans (ERP), Ground Risk Class determination, Concept of Operations (ConOps), and compliance with Unmanned Aircraft Manufacturer guidelines.

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