While drones are amazing tools that can make inspections safer, faster, and more efficient, they must be used safely. To that end, the European Union (EU) has been introducing drone compliance laws since 2021 to ensure that drones are used correctly. These laws are specific to drone flights outdoors. Currently, there are no official regulations on drone operations conducted fully indoors.

The EU has been regulating drones in a large capacity since 2021 via the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This has been necessary due to the high uptake of drone usage in combination with the growing capabilities of drones and concerns over misuse, such as drones flying in proximity to restricted air spaces. The rules set out by the EASA are applicable in the 27 member states, in addition to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. The UK has separate rules that have some similarities to EASA. 

Although the Elios 3 drone is designed for indoor use, many missions involve some portion of the flight to be outdoors. As a result, Elios 3 pilots in the affected countries must be aware of and comply with the EASA rules. 

Drone pilots must all be registered according to the use of their drone, with specific uses naturally requiring more remote pilot training. Even with various certification levels, it may still be necessary to get NAA permission for certain missions. We expect this for various flights with the Elios 3 as these drones are used for professional inspections and thus, are more likely to be working in complex environments or even in restricted airspace. Although the Elios is a drone designed for confined spaces, up to 70% of flights with the Elios drone take place at least partially outdoors, and even the short flight from take off point to the entrance of a sewer manhole must be subject to EASA regulations.

Each European authority has published zones where drone operations are limited or restricted. You must check for those zones before any flight as they can be temporary or permanent. Those zones are generally available on your National Aviation Authority website and are often close to airports, prisons, cities, or natural reserves. They can also be a consequence of temporary events like the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.

If your mission is in a no-fly zone, the process to be allowed to operate is usually described on the website. Most of the time, you will need to contact the person responsible for this zone.

Make sure that your pilot registration number from your NAA is clearly shown on your device. Failure to do this may be taken as non-compliance with the EU regulations and result in legislative action.

Through the EU drone laws, the use of drones are divided into certain categories according to their size and use. These 3 categories are:

1. Open - this category is for lower-risk operations where the drone is always in sight and never exceeds an altitude of 120 meters. There are 3 subcategories of this classification, which are A1, A2, and A3. The risks associated with this type of operation are low and do not need authorization from a National Aviation Authority before flight. Some Elios 3 operations fall under this category. 

2. Specific - this category is for advanced operations, such as flights that are beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) or in proximity to people - Operations Over People (OOP), or for multi-drone flights as in fleets. For operations in the Specific Category, except for operations under a Standard scenario, the pilot or operator of the drone must have operational authorization from the national authority before they take off.  Some Elios 3 operations fall under this category. 

3. Certified - this is for higher-risk operations. Operations in this category could include drone taxis or the transport of hazardous goods. The drone and the pilot must be certified.

The open category is for lower-risk operations where the drone is always in sight and never exceeds an altitude of 120 meters. There are 3 subcategories of this classification, which are A1, A2, and A3. The risks associated with this type of operation are low and do not need authorization from a National Aviation Authority before flight. Some Elios 3 operations fall under this category.

If you cannot fly in the Open, you will need to use the Specific Category. There are 4-ways to get an authorization from your National Aviation Authority to fly in the Specific Category: the Standard Scenario (or STS),  the Pre-Defined Risk Assessments (PDRA), the Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA), and the Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC).