FAQ EASA UAS Regulations

Here you can find a list of most questions asked around the new EASA regulations.

What is C3? 

The WingtraOne GEN II drone is now declared C3 class compliant following the European Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 on unmanned aircraft systems. Specifically, the WingtraOne GEN II has undergone rigorous testing and conformity evaluation by the notified body, NavCert GmbH, to be designated as a C3 aircraft, ensuring compliance with the safety standards—safe controllability and reliable command and control (C2) link—of the European Union.  

With software update 2.11.1, we introduce a Geo-awareness feature and adaptations to the Remote ID feature that enables compliance among our customers with EU regulations. You can find more information about these changes in the following KB articles:

• Remote ID (available to customers only)
• Operator Registration Number (OPRN) 
• Geo-Awareness
• C3 User Manual (available to customers only)

What is the timeline for C3 compliance? 

•  WingtraOne drones purchased from January 1, 2024, onwards, the C3 class identification allows the operator of WingtraOne GEN II to conduct flights in the open A3 category (low-risk commercial activity) within all EASA member states. 
• Note: All existing Wingtra customers who have purchased their systems before 2024 without the C3 mark can also continue to legally operate in the A3 category. 

What do I need to do as an existing WingtraOne customer? 

• As long as you purchased your drone before January 1, 2024, no C3 label is required for legally operating in the A3 open category.
• Updating to SW 2.11.1, which includes support for OPRN (Remote ID) and Geo-awareness is optional but recommended.
  
  

What changes regd. European drone regulations?

• The European drone rules are harmonized, such that operators will be able to operate their drones seamlessly when travelling across the EU. The new EASA regulations will cover EASA member states, in particular all EU member states.

Will there be a difference between commercial and recreational drone flying?

• No, the requirements for either drone operations are governed by a so-called “risk based approach”: only the risk of a drone operation matters, not why the operation takes place.
  
  

Can my WingtraOne be operated even after the new EASA UAS rules are fully applied?  

• Yes, you can operate the WingtraOne in the open category, if the following requirements are met: 
  • Operation requirements
    • VLOS (visual line of sight)
    • Not in restricted airspace
    • Max. 120m altitude above ground
    • 150m (horizontal) distance from residential, commercial, industrial or recreational areas
    • Fly in an area where you can reasonably expect that no uninvolved person will be endangered
      
      
  • Operator requirements
    • Read the user manual
    • Register the operator (through the National Aviation Authority)
    • Complete the operator online training and test (through National Aviation Authority)
• Alternatively, you can operate the WingtraOne in the Specific category.
  • Operator requirements
    • According to the type of authorization (STS, PDRA, SORA, LUC)
    • Mandatory use of a Remote Identification system

 

Will you enable any upgrade for an already sold unit to prepare it to meet new regulations?

• All units placed on the market before January 2024 can be operated with the new regulations.
• Only units placed on the market from January 2024 onwards must comply with the new regulations and must have the C-class marking to be operated in the open category.
• In either case (sold before 2024 without C3 marking or after 2024 with C3 marking) customers shall fly in the open category in accordance with the subcategory A3 limitations:
  • Fly where no uninvolved person will be endangered
  • 150m away from residential, commercial, industrial or residential areas
  • 30m away from any person that passes the area
  • VLOS
  • 120m AGL maximum altitude

Will all drones be able to continue operations after 2024?
All units placed on the market before January 2024 can be operated with the new regulations. These units do not require a C3 before and after January 2024.

Only units sold after January 2024 need a C3.

 

How can I fly WingtraOne in the Specific category?

• Get the operation authorisation from your country’s National Authority, by submitting a specific operational risk assessment (SORA) or;
• Submit self-declaration for compliance with a Standard Scenario. At the moment, no Standard Scenarios are currently available for the WingtraOne aircraft.

 

Will I have to register myself as a UAS operator?

• Yes. The registration process is in the responsibility of the national aviation authority.
• Online operator training and tests are also provided by the national aviation authority.

 

Will I have to register my WingtraOne?

• No, UAV registration is generally not required in the Open and the Specific category.

 

Who applies for an Operational Authorization (by a SORA)?

• The operator has to get the approval for operation, by getting a SORA approved by the national aviation authority. 

 

If one user applies for SORA is it valid across all countries for all users?

• Generally no, the Operational Authorization of a SORA is not transferable and has to be filed by every operator.

 

Who creates the standard scenarios?

• Either EASA or the national aviation authorities after which the new scenarios must be accepted by EASA.

 

Will “remote identification” be required for the open category before January 1st, 2024?

• No (see section above for the full list of requirements for the open category until 2024)

How will remote identification be ensured?

• The remote ID will be in place once needed. Wingtra will do everything possible to have the complete fleet complying with regulations at any time.
• A WingtraOne that is bought before the end of 2023 will not need any remote ID to fly in the open category.

 

Will an ADS-B transponder be mandatory to fly WingtraOne?

• No ADS-B transponder (neither a receiver nor a transmitter) is required, neither from January 1st, 2021 nor from January 1st, 2024. 
• There will be a requirement for “remote identification” from January 1st, 2024, however the technology to be used will NOT be ADS-B, and the details are still under development. 

 

Will positioning lights be mandatory to fly WingtraOne?

• No. WingtraOne can be operated in the open category A3 without positioning lights at least until January 1st, 2024.

 

Is demonstration of compliance (e.g. through flight logs) required?

• Demonstration of compliance is not required in the Open category. Some operations in the Specific Category might need it.

 

Are users allowed to attach something (registration plate, tracker, lights) to WingtraOne for complying with regulations?

• The operator registration number shall be attached outside the drone and readable. There is no further modification required by EASA. A sticker or label will be enough.
• Generally it is not allowed to modify the drone without Wingtra’s explicit consent. 

 

Is Wingtra planning to sign the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) from the Swiss U-Space Concept of Operation (SUSCO)?

• Wingtra currently focuses on the first part of the regulatory change, which does not yet include the U-space. Wingtra will have the technical requirements in place to join U-space once it will become effective.