Aviation regulation
The core EU framework is Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (rules and procedures for UAS operations) and Regulation (EU) 2019/945 (product requirements and class markings). The open category has subcategories A1, A2, and A3. A1 covers flight over people but not over assemblies of people; A3 requires flight far from people and uninvolved persons. A2 requires an additional competency test and distance rules. The A1/A3 online training and examination is the entry-level competency for remote pilots; it is not a licence.
You must register as a UAS operator where required, typically for drones of 250 g or more, or drones fitted with a sensor that can capture personal data. The operator receives a registration number that must be displayed on the aircraft. Class labels C0–C4 indicate the drone’s capabilities and influence which subcategory applies. Remote identification is required for many drones.
Traps: confusing operator registration with aircraft registration; thinking the A1/A3 certificate authorises commercial work in all cases; assuming a class label overrides the open-category limits; and forgetting that national rules still apply. The remote pilot must be competent, and the operator must ensure the flight is within the applicable subcategory.
Worked example: a 249 g drone with a camera still needs operator registration because it can capture personal data; a 900 g drone without a class mark cannot be flown in A1 over people and must be operated under A3 if it has no appropriate class.