Drones: reform of EU aviation safety
Unmanned aircraft, or drones, represent a rapidly developing sector of aviation with a great potential to create new jobs and economic growth in the European Union. This is why the EU adopted a regulation to safely integrate remotely piloted drones into the European airspace.
The regulation sets common rules for civil aviation safety and revises the mandate for the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The new 'EASA regulation' replaces the legislative framework from 2008.
On 26 June 2018, the Council adopted the new proportionate and risk-based rules that will enable the EU aviation sector to grow and will make it more competitive.
- Ensuring safe use of drones: Council signs off on EASA reform (press release, 26/06/2018)
- Regulation on common rules in the field of civil aviation
- The new 'EASA regulation' (Official Journal of the EU)
One example of the new rules refers to the registration threshold for drone operators: if their drones can transfer more than 80 Joules of kinetic energy upon impact with a person then they should be registered.
Ensuring drone safety: Win-win for EU consumers and economy (infographic)
Why do we need it?
Although some drones are as heavy and as fast as a plane, they can also take the shape of very small electric 'toys' that are widely available to consumers.
After 2008, the smaller drones created regulatory problems for the EU, whose competencies were limited to unmanned aircraft above 150 kilograms.
Lighter drones were only subject to different and fragmented national safety rules across the EU. Furthermore, key safeguards were not applied in a coherent way.
A reform of the aviation rules was also necessary as EU air traffic is estimated to increase by 50% in the next 20 years.
The European Commission predicts that by 2035 the European drone sector will:
- directly employ more than 100,000 people
- have an economic impact exceeding €10 billion per year, mainly in services
As the use of drones spreads, the need to balance the advantages and challenges they bring will also increase. For instance, unmanned aircraft can add value when used in gathering and interpreting data in different sectors of the economy. But drones can also pose liabilities in terms of data protection, privacy, noise and CO2 emissions.
Use of drones: EASA recommendations
What to do:
- Keep your drone in sight at all times
- Plan your flight and choose an unobstructed site
- Get permission if you want to use your drone for paid work
- Read the manufacturer's instructions carefully
What not to do:
- Do not fly in a way that endangers anyone
- Do not fly overhead or within 50 metres of people, property or vehicles
- Do not fly higher than 150 metres from the ground
- Keep away from airports and helipads
In detail
On 12 March 2019, the European Commission adopted EU-wide rules setting technical requirements for drones.
In line with the 'EASA regulation', the new rules lay down the basic principles for ensuring safety, security and privacy, and the protection of personal data. They also aim to reduce red tape and encourage innovation.
The regulation also eliminates some rules which could stifle entrepreneurship. This is expected to bring legal certainty for an industry that includes a large number of small and medium-size enterprises, and start-ups.
Moreover, the regulation introduces a risk and performance based approach to safety. This means it recognises the different risks involved in the various sectors of civil aviation. For instance, helicopters or light sport aircraft are subject to simpler and cheaper approval procedures than commercial aircraft.