EASA Open Category
Summary¶
EASA's Open Category is the regulatory framework covering the lowest-risk drone operations in EU member states. It is divided into three subcategories — A1, A2, and A3 — based on the drone's maximum take-off weight (MTOW) and proximity to uninvolved persons. libdrone V2.4.6 at approximately 807–890 g MTOW (bare and with 80 g payload) falls in the A2 subcategory. A2 requires operator registration, an A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CoC), and horizontal distance separation from uninvolved persons in most configurations. The libdrone low-speed mode (≤4.8 m/s) enables a reduced horizontal separation distance for skatepark and urban operations. Regulations change — always verify at easa.europa.eu and your national authority before each operating season.
Concept¶
Open vs Specific vs Certified¶
EASA's framework has three tiers:
- Open Category: low risk, no prior authorisation required, self-declaration against operational limits. Covers most recreational and simple professional operations.
- Specific Category: medium risk, requires an operational authorisation from the national authority or compliance with a standard scenario (STS). Required for operations beyond VLOS, over crowds, or in controlled airspace without U-space.
- Certified Category: similar to manned aviation. Required for operations over assemblies of people, beyond visual line of sight without mitigation, or carrying people.
libdrone's standard operations (outdoor mapping, air quality monitoring, skatepark recording) are Open Category operations.
A1, A2, A3 subcategories¶
| Subcategory | MTOW | Can fly near people? | Key requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | < 250 g | Yes — not over assemblies | Online training, registration if >250g |
| A2 | 250–900 g | Yes — with separation | Operator registration, A2 CoC, separation distances |
| A3 | < 25 kg | No — far from residential | Operator registration, A2 CoC minimum |
libdrone falls in A2. The A1/A2 boundary at 250 g MTOW means even a small reduction in battery size does not change the legal category — classification is based on design MTOW, not operating configuration.
A2 separation distances¶
In standard A2 operation: minimum 30 m horizontal distance from uninvolved persons. In low-speed mode (drone configured with a maximum speed ≤4.8 m/s, verified by the operator): minimum 5 m horizontal distance from uninvolved persons.
The 5 m reduced separation with low-speed mode is what makes skatepark operations and close-proximity urban mapping feasible under A2. Without low-speed mode engaged and verified, 30 m separation applies — which effectively excludes most urban environments.
Important: low-speed mode must be calibrated for each operational day and payload configuration. Calibration is the operator's responsibility. → See betaflight-profiles for the calibration procedure.
Operator obligations (EU/Czech Republic)¶
- Operator registration with national authority (CAA CZ: registrace.caa.cz)
- Registration number (e-ID) displayed on the drone and carried during flight
- A2 CoC for all A2 operations
- Third-party liability insurance for operations with MTOW > 250 g
- Visual line of sight (VLOS) maintained at all times
- Maximum altitude 120 m AGL (unless special authorisation)
- No flight over emergency services, accident scenes, or temporary restricted areas
- No flight within controlled airspace without authorisation (U-space or ATC)
Reference¶
libdrone V2.4.6 regulatory classification¶
| Configuration | MTOW (approx) | EASA subcategory |
|---|---|---|
| Bare (no payload) | ~807 g | A2 ✓ |
| + 80 g payload | ~887 g | A2 ✓ (13 g headroom) |
| + 93 g payload | ~900 g | A2 limit exactly |
| + 150 g payload | ~957 g | Exceeds A2 — A3 or Specific |
Hard payload limit for A2 compliance: 93 g (900 g − 807 g bare AUW). Any payload above 93 g puts the drone above the A2 boundary.
Czech Republic specifics¶
| Obligation | Detail |
|---|---|
| Operator registration | registrace.caa.cz, ~200 CZK/year |
| A2 CoC | Online theory + practical self-declaration at caa.cz |
| Insurance | Mandatory for MTOW > 250 g |
| National airspace map | mapa.rlp.cz — check before each site |
| Controlled airspace | Requires U-space integration or ATC coordination |
Note: this summary reflects the regulatory state as of early 2026. Czech Republic follows EASA regulation directly; verify current national additionals at caa.cz before operating.
Procedure¶
Pre-season regulatory check¶
- Verify your operator registration is current (renew annually).
- Verify your A2 CoC is valid (no expiry under current EASA rules, but regulations may change).
- Check easa.europa.eu and caa.cz for any regulation changes since last season.
- Check your insurance policy covers UAS operations and the planned activities.
- For new sites: check mapa.rlp.cz for airspace restrictions. Apply for authorisation if controlled airspace is within the planned operating area.
Rationale¶
Why low-speed mode matters for the libdrone use case¶
libdrone's primary operational environments — skateparks, urban plazas, mixed-use outdoor spaces — have people present. At 30 m mandatory separation, meaningful chase footage and close-range air quality mapping are physically impossible in these environments. Low-speed mode with its 5 m separation reduction is the regulatory mechanism that makes the mission feasible under the Open Category. This is why the low-speed profile calibration is a mandatory pre-operational step, not optional.
Connections¶
requires: [] related: - preflight-checklist - betaflight-profiles - lipo-batteries - a2-throttle-compliance leads_to: - risk-assessment - a2-throttle-compliance