Drone by Drone is announcing a new course to obtain a radio operator certificate, in accordance with the regulatory requirements contained in Royal Decree 517/2024.
Remember that in order to fly UAS in a UAS geographic zone for operational reasons subject to authorization by ATC services, the drone pilot will be required to have training in aeronautical communications for the use of the air band (aeronautical mobile service) to establish communications with the Control Tower or with other manned or unmanned aircraft.
According to Article 34 of Royal Decree 517/2024, the UAS pilot must demonstrate theoretical and practical knowledge, including:
- A theoretical training certificate as a radio operator issued by the State Aviation Safety Agency, which will be valid indefinitely; and
- A practical training certificate for radio operators issued by an examiner authorized by the State Aviation Safety Agency, following demonstration of aeronautical communications competencies. This certificate will be valid for two years from the date of issue.
Radio operator certificates issued under Royal Decree 1036/2017 will no longer be valid for proving the competency of UAS pilots who require such training, starting June 30, 2026, according to the First Transitional Provision of Royal Decree 517/2024, which states:
Validity of radio operator certificates issued under Royal Decree 1036/2017, of December 15.
Radio operator certificates issued by an approved training organization (ATO) or microlight school in accordance with Article 33, section 1, letter e) of Royal Decree 1036/2017, of December 15, will continue to be valid for two years from the entry into force of this Royal Decree to meet the requirement of having the knowledge and skills to use the air band (aeronautical mobile service) to establish aeronautical communications referred to in Article 34.
Therefore, so that new pilots can obtain the necessary radio operator accreditation and drone pilots who need to renew their accreditations, the drone operating company is launching a new call for applications to obtain theoretical and practical radio operator certificates.
The theoretical phase will take place in person at our facilities on October 14th to prepare for the online exam at the AESA website, which students must subsequently pass.
On October 24th, the practical part and the exam will also be held in person before a competent examiner, to obtain the practical radio operator certificate.
Don't hesitate to contact us if you would like more information.
