As of January 1, 2024, drone operations in the open category within the EU will undergo significant changes. Drones must either have a C0 to C4 class identification label or be self-constructed for personal use. It’s crucial to note that drones assembled from ready-to-assemble kits don’t fall under the ‘privately built’ category.

If you’ve acquired a drone without a class identification label before January 1, 2024, you can still operate it. Drones weighing up to 250g can be flown in subcategory A1, while those weighing up to 25kg can be flown in subcategory A3.

For a comprehensive understanding of these changes and to ensure you’re adhering to the new regulations, we recommend checking out the Provisions for both ‘open’ and ‘specific’ categories and the Guide to the ‘open’ category. These resources provide a step-by-step guide to compliance and clarify the rules relevant to your drone operations.

For beginners and hobbyists, there are resources available that demonstrate the simplicity of becoming a conscientious drone pilot.