The course is a series of well presented and clear videos where we explain the basic EU drone rules as they apply to the Open A1 and Open A3. There are plenty of progress questions to tackle. You complete the course online and at your own pace. We provide support and help with questions and queries through hello@safedrone.ie or on +353870919600.

Open A1 Category:
The A1 category allows you to fly lighter drones (under 250g or with a C0 or C1 label) close to people, but not directly over assemblies of people. This category is designed for low-risk operations in both populated and sparsely populated areas. It’s ideal for small, lightweight drones that pose minimal risk to people and property.

Open A3 Category:
The A3 category is intended for larger drones (between 250g and less than 25kg or with a C2, C3, or C4 label) operated in open areas away from people. Pilots must maintain a minimum distance of 150m from residential, commercial, industrial, and recreational areas. This category is suitable for more spacious environments where the drone can be kept safely away from uninvolved people and structures.

The duration of the course is approximately 2 hours. 

The course complies with the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2019/947. 

The course is broken down into short lessons. Once you complete a lesson, you can save your progress and return to complete the course later. 

There is a regulatory requirement to have an exam. To help, we have a short and simple question session after each lesson. The answers are all contained in the subject matter of the video lessons. 

Once your course is complete, you qualify to take the Open A1/A3 examination held by the aviation authority. Successfully passing the examination rewards you with the issuance of the EU Open A1/A3 Proof of Online Training (POOT) certificate. The certificate is valid across the EU. 

EU regulations classify drone operations into three main categories based on risk:

1. Open Category - For low-risk operations.
2. Specific Category - For medium to high-risk operations.
3. Certified Category - For the highest-risk operations.
   
   

A drone can be operated in the “Open" category when it: 

• bears one of the CE class marks 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4;

• it is purchased before the 1st of January 2024, with no C class marking with a max take-off weight of <25kg; 

• will not be operated directly over 'uninvolved persons', unless it bears a C class mark '0' or is lighter than 250g. (Please refer to subcategories of operations: A1, A2 and A3 to find out where you can fly with your drone).
• will never be flown over 'assemblies of people' (see FAQ further down for definition).
• will be maintained in Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) or be assisted by a UA observer;
• is flown at no more than 120 metres above the closest point of the surface;
• will not carry dangerous goods and not drop any material. 
• remains outside the required 'geographic area'. See Safe Drone Airspace Map (Airspace Map). Also, see additional FAQ

In all other cases it must be operated in the Specific category.

The sub-category a pilot is required to fly in is determined either by,

• CE class markings 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4;

or

• is privately built and with a max take-off weight of <25kg;

or

• it was on the market before the 1st of January 2024, has no C class marking and a max take-off weight of <25kg (referred to as a legacy drone); 

See table below.
Depending on your drone type, you may operate in the Open Category as defined in the table below. If you find any of these restrictions too limiting for your proposed flying requirements, you need to move into the Specific Category.

·  Flying Over People:

If your drone has a C0 label or a maximum take-off weight below 250g, you may fly over uninvolved persons but must avoid flying over assemblies of people.

If your drone has a C1 label, you may fly close to uninvolved persons but not directly overhead. Flying over assemblies of people is strictly prohibited.

·  Visual Line of Sight (VLOS): Always keep your drone within your direct line of sight.

·  Altitude Restriction: Do not exceed a flight height of 120m above the closest point of the surface of the earth.

·  No Dropping Items: Dropping any goods from your drone is not allowed.

·  No Dangerous Goods: Carrying dangerous goods on your drone is strictly prohibited.

• Geographic Area Restrictions: Certain areas are restricted for drone operations. Please refer to the Safe Drone Airspace Map for details on restricted zones.

The A1/A3 'Proof of Online Training certificate is valid for 5 years. 

Note: This certificate is issued by the aviation authority after you pass the examination. 

Yes.

Under the new EU regulation, whether you want to fly for recreational, commercial or aerial work or research purposes, there is now a regulatory requirement for pilots to complete a minimum amount of professional training depending on the category of operation they wish to fly in.

No, operating in the Open Category comes with specific limitations on where you can fly. While it allows for low-risk operations, you must follow these rules:

• Populated and Sparsely populated areas may be used for operations but maintain the required distance from 'uninvolved persons'.
• Avoid flying over assemblies of people and, in most cases, avoid flying directly over uninvolved persons.
• Stay within Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) or have a UA observer.
• Limit your altitude to 120 meters above the closest point of the surface.
• Stay out of restricted geographical zones (check the Safe Drone Airspace Map for guidance). If you need to fly in these areas you need a permission to fly in the Specific Category.

These rules help ensure safe operations, even in the Open Category, by minimizing risks to people and property.

Click for Airspace Map.

You will need to open a 'remote pilot' account with the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) (https://iaa.mysrs.ie). Complete steps 1-16 of the guide at this link. 

Once your account is open, Start the Open A1/A3 Proof of Online exam by initially watching a short refresher video and then answering the 40 multiple choice exam with a 75% pass mark. 

Yes, completing this course enables you to operate drones across all EU member states. The EU has harmonised drone certification, ensuring that remote pilot certifications are recognized EU-wide. After finishing the course and obtaining your Open A1/A3 Proof of Online Training certificate from the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), you can legally fly in any EU member state without additional training or certification.

Defined by regulation, an uninvolved person "means persons who are not participating in the UAS operation or who are not aware of the instructions and safety precautions given by the UAS (drone) operator”.

A person is considered 'involved' if they decides to be a part of the operation, understand the risk and is able to check the position of the drone while it is flying.

Therefore in order to be considered ‘involved’ in the operation, a person needs to:

• receive from the drone operator/remote pilot instructions and safety precautions to be applied in case of an emergency situation;

• give consent to be a part of the operation (e.g. a consent to be overflown by the drone); the consent needs to be explicit;

• not be busy with other activities such that the person cannot check the position of the drone and, in case of incident take action to avoid being hit by the drone.
  
  

Writing on a ticket that during an event a drone will be used, is not considered sufficient, since the drone operator needs to receive individual explicit consent and make sure people understand the risk and the procedures to be taken in case of emergency.

During the operation it is expected that involved persons follow the trajectory of the drone and are ready to take action to protect themselves in case the drone has an unexpected behavior.

During the UAS operation, if people are too busy to monitor the trajectory of the drone, then these people cannot be considered as involved.

Examples of uninvolved person:

• individuals or small groups walking on a street;
• people in a beach or in a park.
  
  

An uninvolved person is not only those exposed directly to a drone, but could also mean a person who is in a bus, car, etc., i.e. is indirectly exposed.

For example, if a drone is flying over a vehicle, its driver should be considered as an ‘uninvolved person’. The reason behind this is, if a drone is flying close to a vehicle (even if not impacting it) it could possibly distract its driver and therefore lead to a car accident.

An 'assembly of people' is referred to as a crowd. It is not defined by a specific number of people, but is related to the ability for an individual to move around in order to avoid a drone which is out of control.

If a crowd or gathering of people is so densely packed that the possibility to freely escape or move away from a drone is limited. The density of people reduces their ability to move quickly and so is considered an 'assembly of people'.

Note: No drone should be flown over or near an 'assembly of people' without specific permission from aviation authorities and only after a special safety case is made. Contact Safe Drone Academy to acquire such permission.
  

Examples of 'assemblies of people' include:

• sport, cultural, religious or political events;
• crowded beaches or parks on a sunny day;
• busy commercial streets during the opening hours of the shops; 

Drones do not need to be registered but you, as a drone operator/owner, must register yourself or your business. You do so with the Aviation Authority of the EU country you have a residence in. Registration is required under Atricle 14 of Regulation (EU) 2019/947.

You register once, independently of how many drones you operate or whether you operate in the Open or Specific category. Your registration will be valid for a period defined by your national Aviation Authority after which you need to renew it. In Ireland, registration is valid for two (2) years.

See FAQ 'Who is a drone operator' for detailed explanation as to who an operator is.

You do not need to register yourself if your drone(s):

• weighs less than 250g and has no camera or other sensor able to detect personal data; or
• even with a camera or other sensor, weighs less than 250g, but is a toy (this means that its documentation shows that it complies with ‘toy’ Directive 2009/48/EC);
  
  

Operator registration can be completed on the IAAs website www.mysrs.ie.

When you register you will receive an individual 'Operator Registration Number'. This number must be displayed on every drone you as an operator utilise (own or lease/rent). The number must be easily readable and may take the form of a QR code. Affixing the label to the inside of a battery compartment is also acceptable where it cannot be clearly displayed externally.

A UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) operator is the person or organization responsible for managing and overseeing the use of a drone or fleet of drones. The operator is accountable for ensuring that all drone operations comply with relevant regulations, including safety, privacy, and airspace requirements.

In practical terms, a UAS operator:

• Ensures that the remote pilots are properly trained and certified for the intended operations.
• Maintains the drones, keeping them airworthy and safe to operate.
• Sets up operational policies to comply with regulations (e.g., airspace restrictions, geographic limitations).

A UAS operator can be a private individual, a business, or an organization using drones for commercial, recreational, or public purposes.

Private Individual 

As a sole trader (or even a recreational pilot), you’ll take on two key roles: UAS Operator and Remote Pilot, each with distinct responsibilities:

• As the UAS Operator, you’re responsible for managing the overall drone operation, which includes tasks like ensuring the UAS Operation is properly registered in your name and all operational procedures comply with regulations.

• As the Remote Pilot, your focus is on safe and competent flying. This means meeting the required competency standard for the type of operation you’re conducting—whether that’s Open A1, A2, A3, or even Specific Category certification.

Balancing these roles ensures that both operational and flight standards are maintained, providing safe and compliant drone use.

A remote pilot is a natural person responsible for the safety of a drone flight and ensuring the flight is conducted legally. The remote pilot can either manually control the drone or monitor the drone if it is flying on auto-pilot.

A Remote Pilot is primarily responsibility for ensuring safe and compliant operation in real-time, following all applicable rules and regulations for the type of flight being conducted.

Key responsibilities of a Remote Pilot include:

• Maintaining Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) with the drone, or using an observer if required.
• Ensuring they are qualified for the operation category (e.g., Open Category A1, A2, A3, or Specific Category).
• Conducting pre-flight checks to ensure the drone is fit for flight.
• Managing the flight safely to avoid risks to people, property, and other air traffic.
  
  

Essentially, the Remote Pilot is the “pilot in command” of the drone, responsible for safe operation throughout the flight.

The minimum age is 16 years for remote pilots in the Open and Specific categories when flying by themselves (solo). There is no minimum age if the remote pilot is being supervised by another suitably qualified remote pilot who is 16 years or older.

Some aviation authorities across the EU may have lower age limits. In Ireland the minimum age is 16. In Ireland the age restriction is 16. 

There is no minimum age for flying C Class C0 marked drones, when they become available, under subcategory A1.

Yes, flying with goggles (First Person View or FPV) is allowed in certain situations within the EU, but it comes with specific requirements:

• Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) must still be maintained. This means that while you're wearing goggles, you must be assisted by an Unmanned Aircraft Observer (UAO) (another person) must be present to keep the drone in sight at all times and assist with spotting obstacles or hazards.
• The observer must stay in direct communication with the pilot to provide real-time guidance, ensuring the flight remains safe and compliant.
  
  

Without an observer, FPV flights would not meet VLOS requirements and therefore would not be authorized in the Open Category. For Specific Category operations, the requirements may vary, but compliance with the VLOS requirement is often still necessary.

Normally drone races are organised by clubs and associations. In this case they may have received an 'operational authorisation' by the aviation authority (IAA) in accordance with Art 16 of Regulation (EU) 2019/947, covering also the organisation of such events.

If instead you want to conduct a race not within a club or association and no spectators (in this context meaning uninvolved persons, see definition above) are present, you fall under the “Open category” and you can operate under sub-category A3 (ie. no uninvolved persons present in the flying area and flying area is located 150m horizontally from residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas).  

If there are spectators the operation falls in the “specific category” and you need to apply for an 'operational authorisation' by the aviation authority.