Free STS manual guide
What goes inside an STS operations manual, and what inspectors check
Every STS-01 and STS-02 operator needs an operations manual before the first flight. Regulation (EU) 2019/947 defines what it must cover: your organisation, operational area, fleet, pilots, and normal and emergency procedures. This guide walks through each section and the gaps authorities flag most often.
Operations Manual Readiness Check
Is your Operations Manual complete?
3 quick questions to identify the most common gaps before a CAA inspection.
Does your Operations Manual include a defined operational area with geographical scope?
Select the option that best describes your manual
Are all pilot qualifications and currency records documented in the manual?
Select the option that best describes your manual
Does your manual include emergency procedures and contingency plans?
Select the option that best describes your manual
Your manual readiness
Required manual sections
Every section, and what inspectors check
Your operations manual must describe the operation you actually declare. These are the sections authorities expect, and where they look first.
1. Operator information
Legal name, UAS operator registration number, accountable manager and contact details. Inspectors check that these match your operator registration.
2. Scope and operational area
The scenario you declare (STS-01, STS-02 or both), the operational volume, ground risk buffer and controlled ground area, with maps and coordinates. It must match your declaration.
3. Fleet and equipment
Your C5 or C6 class drones with their class identification label and documentation, serial numbers, maintenance programme and pre-flight inspection checks.
4. Pilots and training
STS theoretical knowledge certificates, completion of practical skills training, how pilots stay current, and recurrent training records.
5. Normal procedures
Pre-flight, flight and post-flight procedures, including how you set up the controlled ground area and, for STS-02, how airspace observers are used.
6. Emergency procedures
Loss of command and control link, loss of navigation, fly-away, flight termination, injury response and occurrence reporting, written for your drone and your scenario.
What inspectors look at first
In our experience across 31 countries, inspectors go straight to three things: whether the operational area is properly defined, whether pilot certificates are current, and whether emergency procedures are specific to your drone and scenario rather than copied from a generic template.
What you’ll get
The complete STS manual structure guide
- Every required section, in order
- What to write in each section
- The gaps inspectors flag most often
- How STS-01 and STS-02 manuals differ
- A self-check before you declare
Get the Free Operations Manual Guide
Every required section with what CAAs actually look for during inspections.
No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.
By submitting you agree to receive emails from EU Drone Port.
Need the full manual written?
Contact EU Drone Port →EU Drone Port STS services
From declaration to flight
EU Drone Port covers STS operations manuals, pilot training and flight coordination across 31 countries.
Most requested
STS Operations Manual
We write your complete STS operations manual for STS-01, STS-02 or both, tailored to your operation and country.
- All required sections
- STS-01 and/or STS-02 covered
- Country-specific authority format
- Delivered in 5 business days
From €450 + VAT
STS Course
Online theory and practical assessment for STS-01 and STS-02. EU Drone Port issues the STS training certificate directly.
- STS-01 and STS-02 covered
- Online and asynchronous theory
- Certificate issued by EU Drone Port
- Valid in 31 countries
€149 + VAT
Flight Coordination
Send us date, time, coordinates, drone and pilot. We handle the airspace coordination until you have clearance, including in restricted zones.
- Per-flight coordination
- Authority and airspace notifications handled
- Restricted zones included
- 31 countries
€95 per flight + VAT, billed monthly
More free guides
More free guides to prepare your STS declaration
FAQ
Questions about STS operations manuals
Is an operations manual mandatory for STS?
Yes. Regulation (EU) 2019/947 requires STS operators to have an operations manual before operating. It must reflect the operation you declare, be kept up to date, and be available to the authority on request.
What format does the authority expect?
There is no single format across the 31 countries. The required content comes from the regulation and its acceptable means of compliance, and some authorities publish their own template. EU Drone Port structures manuals to meet the content requirements in every country.
How long should an STS operations manual be?
There is no minimum length. Authorities assess content, not page count: a short manual that covers every required section with your real operation is better than a long generic one.
Can I use a template?
Yes, a template helps you cover every section. But it must be completed with your real operation: operational area, fleet, pilots and emergency procedures. An unfilled generic template is one of the most common causes of corrective actions.
How often must I update the manual?
Whenever your operation changes materially: a new drone, a new operational area, a new pilot or changed procedures. Keep a version history so you can show the authority what changed and when.
What triggers an authority inspection?
Authorities can inspect STS operators at any time. Common triggers are occurrence reports, complaints, routine oversight and changes notified by the operator.
Can EU Drone Port write my operations manual?
Yes. We write STS operations manuals from €450 + VAT, delivered in 5 business days and tailored to your operation and country. Contact ops@eudroneport.com for a quote.
Last updated: October 2026. Source: Regulation (EU) 2019/947, Appendix 1, and its acceptable means of compliance.
Get the STS operations manual guide. Free.
Every required section, what inspectors check, and the gaps they flag most often.
6
Core manual sections
€450 + VAT
STS manual from
5 days
Delivery
31
Countries