Drone regulations UT

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This changes on january 1st 2024 for drone pilots in the open category.

On January 1, 2024 things changed. For example, in many cases you will be required to start broadcasting (Remote identification) your operator number during your drone flights. And are you flying an older drone that weighs more than 250 grams? Then it will have limited use.
Continue reading below for more details.

More details on the new legislation
Cx label required
One of the biggest changes is that starting January 1, your drone must have a Cx label (C0, C1, C2, C3 or C4). This is a classification that indicates in which category your drone may be used. C0 and C1 drones are allowed to fly in Open subcategory A1. Drones with a C2 label are designed for Open subcategory A2. And devices with a C3 or C4 label are designed for Open subcategory A3. The label must be visibly affixed to the drone.

Do you have an older drone without such a label? First check if you can update your drone so that you can still apply a Cx label (the manufacturer will send you the label). If not, you may only use the drone in Open Subcategory A3 at a distance of at least 150 meters from people, roads and railroads, buildings and recreational areas. This also applies to homebuilt drones heavier than 250 grams.
Do you have an older drone without such a label? If so, check first whether you can update it so that you can still apply a Cx label (the manufacturer will send you one). If not, you may only use the drone in Open Subcategory A3 at a distance of at least 150 meters from people, roads and railroads, buildings and recreational areas. This also applies to homebuilt drones heavier than 250 grams.
Are you flying a drone that weighs less than 250 grams, and was put on the market before Jan. 1, 2024? Good news: you may continue to fly it in Open subcategory A1 and even fly people over, as long as it does not involve a crowd.

In summary:
- As of Jan. 1, 2024, your drone must basically have a Cx label;
- Drones with a C0 or C1 label can be used in Open subcategory A1;
- Drones with a C2 label are for Open subcategory A2;
- Drones with a C3 or C4 label may be used in Open subcategory A3;
- Doesn't your drone have a Cx label and you can't update it either? Then you are stuck with Open subcategory A3;
- Does your current (homebuilt) drone without a Cx label weigh less than 250 grams? Then you may continue to use it after 1-1-2024 in Open subcategory A1.
The Cx label (in this case C2) must be visibly affixed to your drone.
Remote identification
If you fly a drone in the open air, you are actually required in all cases to register as a drone operator. In the Netherlands this is done through the RDW, in Belgium you do it at the DGLV. After registration, you will receive an operator number, a code that is unique to you or your organization.
Until now, you only had to put the operator number (minus the last 3 characters) visibly on your drone(s). But that will change. In fact, as of 1-1-2024, you must comply with the remote identification requirement, also known as Remote ID. This technology allows your operator number, along with current flight data, to be transmitted locally. These signals can be captured by both enforcers and citizens using a special smartphone app.
The requirement applies to all drones with a C1, C2, or C3 label. Drones that comply, including the DJI Mavic 3 Series and the Inspire 3, offer an input field for the operator number in the settings menu. There, the number must be entered in its entirety (i.e., including the last 3 characters!). You can read more explanation about this in this article.
Drones with a C0 label, or so-called legacy drones that do not support Remote ID, do not need to transmit Remote ID. Self-built drones and FPV drones also do not need to have Remote ID provision.
Summary:
- Does your drone weigh less than 250 grams or have a C0 label? If so, Remote ID is not required;
- Does your drone have a C1, C2 or C3 label? Then you must enter your operator number (including the last 3 letters) in the settings menu;
- (Self-built) drones heavier than 250 grams do not need to have a Remote ID feature, but may only be used in Open subcategory A3.
Source: EASA
Table with changes
Tabel of changes

A drone or unmanned aircraft is an aircraft without a pilot on board. The units are often remotely controlled, whereby the operator can be located nearby, but also thousands of kilometers away. There are also more autonomous units, which operate according to a programmed command.
Such a unit is known by various names: UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) or RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems), Micro Air Vehicle (MAV), Autonomous Aerial Robotics (AAR), UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS), microcopter, mini UAV or small UAV, rotor UAV or RUAV. These fall in the category of drones, and as such are subject to specific legislation.
In parlance, these are often referred to as drones but for a clear understanding we use RPAS.

To ensure responsible use of RPAS, the UT applies the following draft guideline. It contains tools to safely fly an RPAS.

When the intention to use a drone/RPAS outside, please fill the drone notification form. If desired, contact the safety officer of the HR Health & Safety department.

Introduction

The use of drones, or RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems), is slowly but surely increasing. More and more applications are being dreamt up for which drones can be used. At the UT, we are for instance carrying out research on or with drones, but drones are also being used for other applications.
European rules for drones apply from 31 December 2020. These rules apply in all countries of the European Union (EU). And ensure safety in the air and on the ground.

The previous regulations made a distinction between commercial / business use and the hobby sphere. This is no longer the case in the new regulations.

Working method

The standard working method at the UT is that a Risk Assessment (RA) is carried out on all activities. In this case, the use of a drone. This reveals the risks and the necessary measures to ensure a safe working environment within the context of applicable legislation and regulation. The HSE coordinator of the faculty or department must be involved in this.
If legislation or regulations lead to practical problems, a working method will be drawn up in consultation with the safety officer at HR-Health & Safety department that is at the very least equivalent and is coordinated with authorised parties if necessary.
The starting point is and remains: preventing incidents and hazardous situations.

If you plan to fly a drone on the UT site, you must contact the HR-safety officer in good time to agree whether this is permitted and under what conditions.
Rules and requirements depend on the risk of flight. Drones come in all shapes and sizes. They are used in different places and for different purposes. The rules that apply depend on the risk of an accident during the flight. From December 31, 2020, 3 categories apply in the European Union:

Flights with low risk (Open category A1, A2, A3)
Flights with medium risk (Specific category)
Flights with high risk (Certified category)

An operator number must be affixed to each drone. This can be requested from the HR-safety officer in case of UT drones.
In addition, it may be that training must be followed. Recognized training institutes have been designated for training. Recognized training institutes have been designated for training.

When permission has been granted to fly on the UT Campus, a UT drone vest must first be collected at the Security office. For the pilot and for the observer. This must be returned to the Security afterwards.
Wearing the UT drone vest serves for recognisability and is also proof that you have permission to fly a drone on the Campus within the applicable rules. Don't forget to fill in the drone notification for permission.

Check before flying this map.

Before starting the drone flight, the pilot must make a telephone report to Twente Airport via telephone number:
+31 6 21 34 29 53.
When the activity has ended, this must be reported again to Twente Airport.