Approval of Spanish New Drone Law in Council of Ministers of December 15

Tomorrow, December 15, the new Royal Decree on professional drone operation that the RPAS sector is demanding will be approved in the Council of Ministers, thus fulfilling the commitment made by the Minister of Development in the parliamentary seat.

We hope and we have the certainty that the new royal decree that regulates the civilian use of piloted aircraft by remote control will be approved this Friday, the 15th, except unexpected incidents, which modifies the RD 552/2014, by which the Regulation is developed of the air and common operational provisions for air navigation services and procedures, and amending Royal Decree 57/2002 of January 18, approving air traffic regulations and RDL 8/2014 (Law 18/2014 ).

We will have to wait for its final publication in the Official State Gazette to see the scope of the new law. According to the drafts of the same to which we have had access and as the AESA itself advances in its presentations, drone operations will be allowed in new operational scenarios:

Under a specific authorization regime and with specific requirements for each new scenario, it will be possible to:

- Operations on urban nucleus (VLOS) and agglomerations of people
- BVLOS operations with MTOW aircraft> 2kg
- Night operations
- Operations in controlled airspace
- Operations within the increased visual range (EVLOS) under declarative regime.

The limitations or restrictions that are imposed on each of the operations are the following:

- Operations on urban nucleus (VLOS) and agglomerations of people:
Do not fly with MTOW drones <10kg, less than 100m from the operator with a 120m roof and in a completely enclosed and cordoned area or ensuring a minimum distance of 150m from buildings and structures and 50m from people not involved in the operation . In addition, a specific safety aeronautical study and express authorization will be required.

- BVLOS operations with MTOW aircraft> 2kg:
The drone must have an approved detection and evasion system (Detect & Avoid). In addition, a specific safety aeronautical study and express authorization will be required.

- Night operations:
The RPA must have a lighting system that allows its vision at night, in addition to requiring a specific aeronautical safety study and an express authorization.

- Operations in controlled airspace:
The equipment will be required to have an approved detection and evasion system (Detect & Avoid) and with an S-mode transponder. In addition, the pilot must have radiophonist knowledge and a specific aeronautical safety study and express authorization and a specific authorization will be required. coordination with the air traffic control service.

In addition, in the additional provisions, the draft indicated variations in the training of drone pilots or in the maintenance of practical pilot certificates.

The draft established the need to perform a registry of remotely piloted aircraft in addition to establishing a deadline to communicate the ownership of aircraft not previously registered.

As we have specified, we must wait for its publication in the BOE to see the possible modifications that may have suffered in the interministerial commissions, but everything points to the body of the new regulations will be based on previous drafts.

Next week we can count on a new drone law in Spain after its publication in the BOE.

Great news for the sector to end the year.

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