Drone pilot license in the EU (online application)

In the European Union, drone flights are classified as light civil aviation and require training, an exam, and a pilot’s license.

Behind these scary words lies a simple study of theory and online testing on the aviation agency’s website. I assure you that the registration process is much more complicated than obtaining a license, which is much easier than registering on their website.

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Why do you need a drone license?

Not so long ago, when drones first appeared, anyone who wanted to could fly them anywhere. They were not regulated by law, and their numbers were so insignificant that the state had no interest in their pilots.

However, time passed and the movement began to take on significant proportions. The price of drones fell to obscenely low levels. Flights became a frequent occurrence and began to pose a real danger to:

• civil aviation – failure to comply with flight rules may result in a collision with an aircraft, which could have serious consequences, including a plane crash;
• energy security – collisions between private drones and power lines are not uncommon, leaving entire communities without electricity;
• national security – flights over military, secret, and strategic facilities, as well as photography, may be used for reconnaissance or even attack purposes;
• For ordinary citizens, a fast-moving lightweight drone with sharp propeller blades colliding with a person’s head can lead to serious and even fatal consequences.

To minimize these and other dangers, it was proposed that all drone pilots undergo basic theoretical training. This would be followed by an online exam and the issuance of a certificate with an individual registration number.

The training will help convey to pilots the basic safety rules for flying, current restrictions, and regulations. The number that you must display on your copter when flying allows you to identify the person responsible in the event of violations and unforeseen situations.

In which countries will the license be valid?

Who needs permission

Virtually any drone, even an amateur one, requires a licensing process to operate it in the EU.

• Drones weighing more than 250 g or, in the event of a collision, capable of transferring more than 80 joules of kinetic energy to a person.
• Equipped with sensors capable of recording personal data (camera, microphone), unless covered by Directive 2009/48/EC “Toys.”

What types of licenses are there?

Self-study practical training, online theory, and online exams are available for those who wish to obtain an A1/A3 license.

How to obtain a drone pilot license in the EU

How much does a drone pilot license cost?

Training and certification are completely free. Don’t fall for scammers who ask for money for this. Just follow the instructions on this page and you’ll definitely succeed!

Registration in the system

You can obtain a drone pilot license in many countries, but I will demonstrate everything using Spain as an example, as I am accustomed to trusting my own experience and sharing it with readers.

You don’t have to be a citizen, live there, or have any connection to the country. You don’t even need a VPN. Just follow my instructions from home.

In Spain, the AESA (Spanish Aviation Safety Agency) is responsible for training and licensing.

Let’s start with the fact that you need to register on their website via the link.

Immediately after switching, please note the small flag icon in the upper right corner. By clicking on it, you can switch the website language to English for your convenience.

Now for the identification process. The simplest way is to use cl@ve for authorization. It is suitable for anyone who has documents from one of the EU countries. Just select “Access” under this item and log in via eIDAS. If this applies to you, proceed to the next step.

For everyone else, e4F will work. To use it, follow this link. In this window, click the big green “Access” button.

A form appears in front of us, in which we need to enter the personal data of the future pilot:

• Issuer country — the country that issued your document;
• Passport / National ID number;
• Name;
• First surname;
• Email address;
• Phone Number.
• Below is a checkbox labeled Enable postal address. We do not need to fill in the postal address, so we leave it blank and skip the inactive fields on the second half of the page.

Scroll down to the bottom of the page. There you will find a form for uploading files. Here you need to add a scanned copy or a clear photograph of the document specified in the application form in your name.

After selecting a document from your computer or phone, click the Add button and wait for the file to upload and appear in the list below. Once this is done, feel free to click the Accept button.

Here is the data verification form.

You should double-check that you have entered everything correctly and without errors in the name or document number. At this stage, you can still go back using the Back button and make corrections.

Check all three boxes to confirm that you have entered the correct information and agree to the processing of your personal data. Confirm that you are not a robot using the captcha and click Confirm.

You will receive an email with a link that you must click to confirm your address. On the page that opens, enter your passport number again and click Validate.

Once you’re done, you should see a message saying your request has been received. Now you just need to be patient and wait a few days while they check your info and docs (they do this by hand). Then you’ll get an email with the info you need to log into your account.

While waiting, you can review the theory one more time to pass the exam on the first try and not worry.

We are undergoing training in drone operation.

Once your account has been verified, log in using the link for foreign nationals. To do this, you will need to specify your country, passport number, and password.

Taking an exam

The last step that requires any action on your part is taking the exam online.

Shortly after taking the exam, if you pass it, you will receive a notification by email that your certificate is ready. This means that you can log in to your personal page and download your certificate.

Frequent questions