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Drone Design and Production Requirements
Table of Contents
The European Union has developed a regulatory framework to manage the safe integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the airspace. This framework, primarily encapsulated by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945, specifies the design, manufacture, and operational standards for UAS across various classes.
Manufacturers and Private Constructors Definition
European legislation establishes varying requirements and operational guidelines for UAS based on their production. It initially differentiates between manufacturers of commercial UAS and those engaged in private construction:
- Manufacturer refers to any individual or entity involved in producing a product or having it designed or made and subsequently marketed under their name or trademark.
- Private construction UAS denotes a UAS assembled or produced for the constructor’s personal use, excluding UAS formed from component assemblies sold as a single ready-to-assemble kit in the market.
Role of Legislation
Typically, the governing standard concerning the design and manufacture of UAS is Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945.
However, any aspects not covered by European legislation or delegated to the national authorities of individual Union countries will be subject to the respective national legislation developed for such purposes.
However, any aspects not covered by European legislation or delegated to the national authorities of individual Union countries will be subject to the respective national legislation developed for such purposes.
Protocols for Uncertified UAS
For UAS introduced into the market within both the ‘open’ and ‘specific’ categories, they must adhere to the guidelines stipulated in Chapter II of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945. This chapter outlines the procedures that manufacturers must follow to demonstrate their product’s compliance with the standard:
Both the type examination and total quality assurance assessments must be conducted by a conformity assessment body.
- For Class C0, C4, C5, and C6 UAS, conformity can be established through internal production control, detailed in Part 7 of the Annex.
- EU-type examination, followed by conformity based on internal production control according to Part 8 of the Annex, is another method to demonstrate compliance.
- Conformity based on total quality assurance, described in Part 9 of the Annex, is applicable except for cases where the product is assessed as a toy under Directive 2009/48/EC.
Both the type examination and total quality assurance assessments must be conducted by a conformity assessment body.
Overview of Distance Identification System ("DRI") and Class Labels
| Class | Technical Requirements |
| 0 | – Have a MTOM (Maximum Takeoff Mass) less than or equal to 250 g. – Have a maximum horizontal flight speed of 19 m/s. – Have limited altitude from the takeoff point to 120 m. – Be powered by electricity. |
| Class | Technical Requirements |
| 1 | – Have a MTOM (Maximum Takeoff Mass) less than or equal to 900 g or that the energy transmitted in case of impact is less than or equal to 80 J. – Have a maximum horizontal flight velocity of 19 m/s. – Have limited altitude from the point of takeoff to 120 m. – Be powered by electricity. – Have a unique serial number. – Have a system of direct distance identification. – Be equipped with a geolocation system. – Be equipped with a low battery warning system for the UA (Unmanned Aircraft) and the control station (CS). – Equip lights for activity control and nocturnal flight (intermittent green light). |
| Class | Technical Requirements |
| 2 | – Have a MTOM less than or equal to 4 kg. – Have limited altitude from the takeoff point to 120 m. – Be powered by electricity. – Be equipped with a data link protected against unauthorized access to the control functions (C2). – Except if it is a UA of the toy type, be equipped with a selectable low-speed mode that limits the speed to 3 m/s maximum. – Have a serial number. – Have a direct distance identification system. – Be equipped with a geolocation system. – Have a low battery warning system for the UA and the control station (CS). – Equip lights for activity control and intermittent green flight (flashing green light). |
| Class | Technical Requirements |
| 3 | – Have a MTOM (Maximum Takeoff Mass) of less than or equal to 25 kg and a maximum characteristic dimension of less than or equal to 3 meters. – Have a maximum altitude limited to 120 meters from the takeoff point. – Be powered by electricity. – Have a unique serial number. – Have a system for direct distance identification. – Be equipped with a geolocation system. – Be equipped with a low battery warning system for the UA (Unmanned Aircraft) and the control station (CS). – Be equipped with lights for attitude control and nocturnal flight (intermittent green light). |
| Class | Technical Requirements |
| 4 | – Have a MTOM (Maximum Takeoff Mass) less than 25 kg, including the payload. – Not have automatic control modes, except for assistance in flight stabilisation without any direct effect on the trajectory and for assistance in case of loss of link, provided that there is a predetermined fixed position of the flight controls in case of loss of the link. – Be intended for the practice of aeromodeling. |
| Class | Technical Requirements |
| 5 | – Have a MTOM less than or equal to 25 kg. – Not be a fixed-wing UA; if it is a captive UA. – Provide the pilot with clear and concise altitude information of the UA. – Be equipped with a selectable low-speed mode that limits the speed to 5 m/s maximum. – Before a data link loss (C2), count on a method to recover or to finish the flight safely. – Have a method of link recovery from the control station (C2), in case of failure, a termination system for safe flight. – Be equipped with a data link protected against unauthorized access to control functions (C2). – Be powered by electricity. – Have a unique serial number. – Have a system for direct distance identification. – Be equipped with a geolocation system. – Be equipped with a low battery warning system for the UA and the control station (CS). – Equip lights for activity control and nocturnal flight. – If the UA has an access limitation function to certain zones or air volumes, this should be inoperable from the control system, and the pilot must be informed when it is impeded to enter the UA into certain zones or air volumes. – A class C5 UA that assists in a class C3 UA that has installed a distance pilot accessory should convert the class C3 UA into a class C5 UA. The accessory kit should not include changes in the UA from class C3. |
| Class | Technical Requirements |
| 6 | – Have a MTOM less than or equal to 25 kg. – Have a system that provides the pilot with clear and concise information about the UA’s altitude, ensuring that the UA does not exceed the horizontal and vertical limits of a programmable operational volume. – Have a velocity reduction mechanism that limits groundspeed to a maximum of 50 m/s. – Before a data link loss (C2), count on a method to recover or terminate the flight safely. – Have a method of link recovery from the control station (C2), or in case of failure, a termination system for safe flight. – Be equipped with a data link protected against unauthorized access to control functions (C2). – Be powered by electricity. – Have a unique serial number. – Have a system for direct distance identification. – Be equipped with a geolocation system. – Be equipped with a low battery warning system for the UA and the control station (CS). If the UA has a function to limit access to certain areas or volumes of airspace, it should be inoperable from the control system, and the pilot must be informed at a distance when it is prevented from entering the UA into those areas or airspace volumes. – Equip lights for attitude control and nocturnal flight. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, these regulations aim to ensure the safety, accountability, and controlled operation of UAS within the airspace of the European Union. By setting clear standards for manufacturers and operators, the legislation seeks to integrate UAS operations into the airspace system safely, respecting both the regulatory framework and the rights of other airspace users.