Will I need to validate my operational authorisation with every other EASA Members state?
By 31 December 2020, any authorisation given by one MS will be valid in the rest of Europe. The drone operator is required to first submit the declaration (if intending to conduct an operation covered by a standard scenario) or receive an operational authorisation from the National Aviation Authority of the state of registration.
For an operation covered by a standard scenario (SS), the drone operator must send to the National Aviation Authority where it intends to operate, a copy of the declaration and a copy of the confirmation of receipt and completeness received by the National Aviation Authority of the state of registration. Then the drone operator may start the operation following the requirement of the standard scenario and verifying the geographical zone published by the National Aviation Authority where the operation is conducted.
For operations not covered by a standard scenario in the ’specific’ category, the drone operator must ensure that the mitigating measures submitted in his original risk assessment are appropriate to the new environment it plan to operate in or update them is necessary.
Then the drone operator must provide the National Aviation Authority of the Member State of the intended operation with an application, which must include:
(a) a copy of the operational authorisation granted by the National Aviation Authority of the Member State of registration; with
(b) the location (s) of the intended operation, including the updated mitigation measures.
Upon receipt of the application, the National Aviation Authority of the Member State of the intended operation will review the updated mitigation measure proposed. They will confirm to the drone operator that the application is satisfactory. Once the operator receives the confirmation, they may start the intended operation.
If the drone operator has been granted, by the National Aviation Authority of the state of registration, an LUC (a light UAS operator certificate) with privileges to self-authorise its operations, they must provide the National Aviation Authority of the State of the intended operation with
- a copy of the term of approval of the LUC and
- the location or locations of the intended operation;
Regulatory reference: article 13 of EU regulation 2019/947.
What will happen to authorisation granted by NAAs before the 31st of December 2020?
After 31 December 2020, all existing approvals/certificates/authorisations/declarations issued by National Aviation Authorities will still be valid until 1 January 2022.
After 1 January 2022, all approvals, certificates, authorisation and declarations must be converted to the EU Regulation. New applications for authorisations/certificate submitted after 1 January 2022 need to follow the new EU Regulation.