UAVs and Drone flight: EU-wide regulation

UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) or RPAs – more commonly known as drones – is an expanding and growing sector in the coming years. It has a high potential for the employment’s generation and economic growth at the European Union.

To guarantee safety in the drone’s use is one of the main tasks at EU. Considering it one of the fastest-growing and most employment-generating sectors, the European Commission suggests that the new reform of the regulations should guarantee a safer and more efficient use of these air vehicles.

Embention was among the invited corporations that gave feedback to the new regulations last December 19th. This event covered the new opportunities and regulations for this industry, as well as promoting a positive exchange between sector’s companies and the regulatory statute.

The established regulation inquires particularly in the rules of common use concerning Civil Aviation. As well as reviewed terms for the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), thus replacing the 2008 legislative framework.

The rules which have been adopted, taken proportionately and taking a risk’s degree, will improve aviation’s development in a competitive way at the European market.

Among these standards, there are regulations regarding the registration of drone operators, which will have to be registered if their air vehicle can reach more than 80 Joules of kinetic energy. Thus protecting the possibility of – and reducing the damages – of a collision.

Why has this regulation been applied?

Drones are vehicles of many different sizes and types, that is why the design can range from small appliances for private use to halls with considerable dimensions for professional use.

While UAVs over 150kg were subject to greater regulation, smaller drones were only submitted to very disaggregated national regulations in their respective countries, which meant that the objectives of these regulations were not effectively implemented.