Flying with drone in CzechiaMartin Takáč
UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in the Czech RepublicThe Czech agency responsible for drone safety, CAA, has provided several internet-accessible details on flying for fun or work. The highlights are enumerated below. For more details go to the link above. Flying and operating drones in the Czech Republic are subject to European Union Regulation 2019/947. The Czech Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) supervises and implements the Regulation in the Czech Republic. This reform aims to create a truly harmonized drone market in Europe with the highest level of safety. In practice, it means that once a drone Οperator has received authorization from its state of registry, they will be allowed to circulate in the European Union freely. According to the level of risk involved, this new legal framework will introduce three categories of drone operations: Open, Specific, and Certified. Drone operations are to be conducted according to the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (as amended). Are drones allowed in the Czech Republic?According to CAA, drones are allowed in the Czech Republic, subject to CAA and EASA regulations. Read on for more details. Here are the most important rules to know for flying a drone in the Czech Republic:Drone operators must register all drones in the Czech Republic. Following registration, you must adhere to the following rules. - Drones may fly up to 50 meters (170 feet) above ground or sea level in the Open category and up to 120 meters (400 feet) in the Specific category. (The ETA may grant exemptions to operators of specific category drones.)
- Direct visual contact with the drone is required, and the operating distance should not exceed 500 meters.
- Avoid flying too close to residential areas or populated areas.
- Maintain a safety buffer zone of one kilometer around residential areas.
- Unless the owner/person consents, a safety distance of 500 meters from isolated buildings, people, vehicles, animals, and structures is required.
- Avoid flying near airports and heliports. Stay a minimum of eight (8) kilometers away from airports and three (3) kilometers from heliports for safety.
- At no time is it permissible to fly a drone at night.
- There shall be no flying over, within, or near military installations, public utility installations, archaeological sites, or public or private facilities.
Open Category Given the low level of risk, neither prior authorization by the competent authority nor a declaration by the drone operator is required. The drone’s total takeoff mass must be less than 25kg and operate within a visual line of sight at a maximum altitude of 120m. Specific Category Considering the moderate level of risk involved, flights in this category require authorization before the operation. The permission is given considering the mitigation measures identified in an operational risk assessment, except in specific standard scenarios where an operator declaration is sufficient. Certified Category Given the inherent dangers, certification of the drone and a licensed remote pilot are required. If your drone can carry people, you fall under the Certified category! EASA Summary of Drone Flight Operation Requirements EASA Summary Table of Drone Flight Operation RequirementsNote for foreign operatorsOperator Registration (Non-EU Residents)- If you are coming from a non-EU country and this is the first time you will fly your drone in an EU country, you MUST register as an Operator.
- Upon registration, you will receive a unique Operator Registration number which you MUST attach to your drone. If you have several drones, the same number must be attached to them.
- You are not allowed to fly in NO FLY ZONES, and you must keep a minimum of 8km distance from airports/heliports.
- If you have already conducted operations in another EU country before going to the Czech Republic, you must not register again. You always register to the first non-EU country you have conducted flights.
Remote Pilot Certificate (Non-EU Residents)- If you want to fly your drone in the Czech Republic and live in a non-EU country, you must hold a Remote Pilot Certificate from an EU country.
- You can get the A1/A3 Certificate by registering with the online Remote Pilot School.
- The online training and exam are required for those who want to fly a drone in the ‘Open’ category in subcategories A1/A3.
- The pass mark is 75%, and you have three tries to pass.
- Once you pass your exam, you will receive your remote pilot certificate. Its validity will be five years.
- You must have your Remote Pilot Certificate when you plan to perform drone operations in the Czech Republic and present it when the authorities ask.
How to register as a drone pilot or operator in the Czech Republic?According to European Regulation (EU) 2019/947, registration is mandatory for UAS operators (not for UAS themselves). The UAS Pilot, also known as the Remote Pilot (RP), is the person physically behind the UAS flight controls. They are fully responsible for the safety of the flight throughout operations. The UAS Operator is the person or company who oversees operations and gives flight instructions. This person or legal entity bears all responsibility for the operations of the drone (s) on their behalf. Very often, in the OPEN category and as individuals, the Pilot and the Operator are the same person. Who should register?As part of the OPEN category, registration is compulsory for operators: - UAS that has a mass of 250 g or more;
- UAS that has a mass of less than 250 g but:
- can operate at speeds greater than 90km / h
- are equipped with a camera or a microphone, if these UAS are NOT toys *
* A UAS is a toy when a manufacturer intends it for children under 14 and meets the minimum safety criteria required to be so named. Compliance with these standards naturally limits the capabilities of the UAS (size, weight, non-dangerous spare parts, no powerful motor, etc.): see Directive 2009/48 / EC of 18 June 2009 on the safety of toys Under the SPECIFIC category, registration is compulsory for all operators. Natural persons can only register in the country where they reside. Legal persons must register in the country where their principal place of business is located. Registration can only be done in one Member State at a time. How do you register in the Czech Republic for drone operations?The operator registration procedure begins at the online CAA registration link. This UAS operator registration number is valid for one year and must be renewed periodically following the same procedure. Therefore, the operator always uses the same number unless the latter is permanently deregistered from the register. Pre-flight preparation for Drones in the Czech RepublicIn the Czech Republic, a special web application, https://dronview.rlp.cz/, is used for pre-flight preparation of drone operations, familiarization with the arrangement of the airspace in a given location, and identification of potential conflicts with the relevant procedures.
Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in The Czech RepublicNot used for commercial purposes: - Maintain visual contact with the drone at all times.
- Maintain a safe distance from people, animals, and commercial property.
- Always be considerate of others’ privacy.
- Only conduct business on private property.
- You cannot operate from clouds, above crowds, in industrial areas, urban areas, and other restricted areas.
Private insurance covering all recreational drone activities is strongly recommended. See general EASA rules above.
Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in The Czech RepublicUtilized in commercial, scientific, or manufacturer testing applications, You are required to: - Register your drone nationally and obtain an identification plate, a visible drone identification number on the fuselage, and a Drone Pilot Certificate.
- Pass a written and practical examination.
- Possess Third Party Liability insurance with a limit of EUR 1 million
- Constantly adhere to privacy and data protection laws.
- You are not allowed to:
- In restricted areas, fly
- Unless otherwise authorized, do not fly over populated areas.
- Have a flight control system that is entirely manual or completely automatic.
- Fly at a minimum altitude of 90 meters
See the general EASA rules above.
Thanks for your time. Martin Takáč Source:
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lvl.1
Core User of DJI
First Officer
lvl.4
. See Open Category pictures here for A1/A3/A2 - still valid in CZ: