Flying a drone: which certificate do you need?

When it comes to flying drones in civil and professional settings, the European regulations currently in force provide a classification based on the risk level of operations. There are three main categories: Open, Specific and Certified.
The vast majority of professional activities fall into the first two: Open and Specific.

Open category: for low-risk operations

The Open Category is designed for all operations considered “low risk” for people on the ground and for airspace.
It does not require prior authorisation from ENAC, provided that certain fundamental rules are followed.

This category is in turn divided into three operational subcategories: A1, A2 and A3:

• A1: allows flying close to uninvolved people. It applies to light drones (under 900 grams) with high safety standards, such as those with class C0 or C1 marking. Typical of urban or semi-urban activities with compact drones, for filming, documentation or small inspections.

• A2: allows you to fly close to uninvolved people, while still maintaining a minimum safe horizontal distance. It is intended for drones up to 4 kg and requires greater theoretical preparation and operational awareness. Suitable for technical or semi-urban contexts such as surveying and inspections.
• A3: covers operations in areas completely isolated from uninvolved people, keeping at least 150 meters away from residential, industrial or recreational areas. Suited to heavy drones (up to 25 kg) or those without advanced safety systems, in open agricultural or industrial settings.

The A1 and A3 subcategories are covered by a single certificate (A1/A3), obtained by attending a short optional – but strongly recommended – theory course followed by an online exam delivered through the official platform designated by ENAC.
The A2 certificate requires more in-depth preparation and prior possession of the A1/A3 certificate. It is aimed at professionals working in urban or technical environments, such as surveyors, videomakers and inspectors, who use heavier, higher-performance drones in more complex contexts. It is obtained through advanced theoretical study, an in-person exam at an authorised centre and practical training, preferably carried out with the support of a recognised centre.

Specific Category: when flying requires authorisation

If the operations you intend to carry out fall outside the limits of the Open category, then your scenario falls under the Specific Category.

This is the case, for example, for flights:

• in built-up areas with drones weighing more than 4 kg
• in airport red zones
• over critical infrastructure such as railways, ports or power plants
• beyond the pilot's visual line of sight (BVLOS)

In these contexts, where the associated level of risk is higher than in the scenarios covered by the Open category, the pilot must be trained according to the European standard scenarios (STS), called STS-01 (visual line of sight flight, or VLOS) and STS-02 (beyond visual line of sight flight, or BVLOS).

The training covers essential aspects such as risk assessment, mission planning, emergency procedures and aeronautical communications. In addition, there are mandatory cross-cutting modules common to both scenarios:

• CRM (Crew Resource Management), for the effective management of resources and decision-making during the operation.
• Aeronautical communications (radiotelephony), which include, where required, the use of standard procedures and terminology to ensure effective communication between pilot, observer and other parties involved, helping to maintain safe distances from other aircraft.

Only where no standard scenario suits the planned operation is it necessary to prepare a customised risk assessment (SORA), which involves a more complex procedure and the direct involvement of the competent authority.

Aerialclick: practical training, ongoing support

Training in the UAS sector doesn't just mean passing an exam, but acquiring real technical skills that you can use in the field.
Aerialclick is an authorised training centre offering complete pathways for all categories: from the basics (A1/A3, A2) to advanced training for the Specific Category (STS).

Our training adapts to the needs of every pilot or company and continues after the course, with practical support in managing documentation, planning flights and dealing with the competent authorities. With years of field experience and hundreds of professionals trained, Aerialclick is now a reference point for those who want to fly well, work safely and in compliance with regulations, and grow in the drone industry.