Registering as a drone operator, where to start

Before you fly legally, you need to sort out two things: operator registration and pilot competency. They are not the same, and many people confuse them.

Operator vs pilot

• The operator is the person (or company) responsible for the drone, like a vehicle owner. The operator registers and gets a number to put on the aircraft.
• The pilot is the person actually flying. The pilot takes the exam (A1/A3, A2…).

One person can be both operator and pilot, but they are two separate formalities.

When you must register

Operator registration is required almost whenever a drone:

• weighs 250 g or more, or
• has a camera or other sensor capable of capturing personal data (even if lighter).

In practice this means most drones with a camera, even tiny ones, require operator registration.

Where to do it

You register in the national system of your country’s civil aviation authority. The registration is valid across the EU, you do not register separately in each country.

After registering you receive a UAS operator ID, which you must display on every drone you own and enter into the remote identification system if your drone requires one.

Order of steps

1. Register as an operator, you get a number.
2. Mark your drone, stick on the operator ID.
3. Pass the pilot exam, A1/A3 first (free), then optionally A2.
4. Check the zones, before you fly, make sure it is allowed there.

Operator ID ≠ pilot certificate. You need both to fly legally.

A common mistake

People buy a drone, register as an operator and think that is it. But that is only half, without a passed pilot exam the flight is still illegal. The good news: the A1/A3 exam is free, and with good preparation you will pass it first time.