New drone regulations Switzerland
Since the beginning of 2023, the use of professional film drones in the vicinity of buildings or uninvolved persons is prohibited. 🙅♂️ 🚁In order to be able to continue producing such recordings, we have been working on an operating permit according to SORA for the last 7 months and submitted it to the FOCA. ✅This process allows us to continue our work as usual.
We are pleased to have achieved this status. 🙌 🙌
Summary of regulations:
Since January 1, 2023, Switzerland has adopted the EU drone regulation. This led to an adjustment of the rights and obligations of drone pilots and their clients.
The key change affects all drone operators, who are now obliged to register. After successful registration, they will receive a UAS operator number, which must be clearly visible on the drone. This identification feature enables the competent authorities to identify the owner of the drone in the event of incidents or infringements.
In addition, drone pilots whose drones weigh 250 grams or more are required to take certain tests to prove their competence and safety in flight operations:
A1/A3 - Proof of competence (small drone license): This exam provides the knowledge and skills to operate drones safely and responsibly within visual range.
A2 - Remote Pilot Certificate: This certification enables drone pilots to operate drones closer to people and populated areas.
To ensure general safety, the following flight restrictions apply to drones that weigh more than 250 grams or do not have C1 system certification:
Such drones may not be operated closer than 150 meters from people or in populated areas. These restrictions serve to protect the privacy and safety of people on the ground.
In cases where drone flights are nevertheless required in such sensitive areas, it is possible to apply to the Federal Office of Civil Aviation for a SORA (Specific Operational Risk Assessment) or a LUC (Light UAS Operator Certificate). This process, which can take several months and is associated with costs, enables special operations or recordings that would not be permitted under the normal regular regulations.
These current regulations help to make the integration of drones into the airspace safer by imposing strict requirements for registration, qualification and flight operations. Drone operators play a crucial role in complying with these regulations to ensure the safety of aviation and the privacy of people on the ground.
The following rules must also be observed:
No flights higher than 120m above the starting point
No flights closer than 5km to airfields or heliports
No flights out of sight
No flights over crowds
FPV flight using video goggles is only permitted if a second "operator" monitors the flight and can manually intervene in the controls at any time. This operator must be at the same location as the pilot. Even in this case, flying outside the field of vision is not permitted without authorization.
