Switzerland is adopting EU drone regulation on 1 January 2023
The following applies to the CH-STS on drone operation over assemblies of people:
The FOCA will not issue an authorisation for this CH-STS after 1 January 2023;
if you wish to operate a drone over an assembly of people, you must apply to the FOCA for an authorisation according to SORA.
The following applies to other CH-STS:
Authorisations will be issued up to 31 December 2023. No new authorisations under a CH-STS can be issued after this date.
The date of validity indicated on the authorisation applies; it is valid for a maximum of two years from the date of issue.
Proficiency: Pilots must complete a remote pilot certificate (sub-category A2) and also acquire theoretical and practical knowledge relevant to their planned operation.
CH-STS "Spraying": UAS Operations of spraying/spreading
The operation of UAVs for spraying purposes requires a permit from the Federal Office of Civil Aviation. The requirements for such an application depend on the type of UAV used and the product sprayed.
Application process
(1) In order to apply plant protection products, the UAS must be verified (homologated and tested) for ground application. This technical authorisation is carried out by Agroscope. New UAS (each new serial number, before entry into service) must also undergo a spray test carried out by Agroscope or by an inspection body approved by the Federal Office for Agriculture. The main purpose of this test is to ensure that the drift of these aircraft is similar to that of spraying machines for ground applications. The spray tests must be repeated every three years on each aircraft.
(2) The FOCA can only issue an operational authorization for spraying if the applicant uses a UAS approved by the Agroscope process. To submit an application for an Operational Authorization, the intended operations must meet requirements of the standard scenario. Then please submit to the FOCA (rpas@bazl.admin.ch) an Operations Manual and the following application form (available in German (PDF, 335 kB, 31.05.2023), French (PDF, 277 kB, 20.06.2023), and Italian (PDF, 226 kB, 31.05.2023)), duly fulfilled and signed.
(3) Upon review of the application files and if all requirements of the CH-STS spraying are met, FOCA issues an Operational Authorization. The operator is then committed to operating his/her UAS only within the framework defined by his/her Operations Manual and Operational Authorization.
Deadline: Applications must be submitted at least 2 months before the intended operation.
CH-STS EVLOS operations over controlled ground area in a sparsely populated environment
This CH-STS is used for flights beyond the visual line of sight between the pilot and the UAS below 120 metres. The flight takes place over a controlled area, i.e. only persons involved in the flight may be present in this area on the ground (extended visual line of sight, evlos). The maximum permitted distance between the pilot and the UAS is 1km. This distance may be extended to 2km as long as the distance between the UAS and an airspace observer (AO) is no more than 1km at any time and the AO is no more than 1km away from the pilot. This scenario allows for a maximum of only one AO, who must check the surrounding airspace for approaching traffic at all times and inform the pilot accordingly.
Deadline: Applications must be submitted at least 1 month before the intended operation.
CH-STS BVLOS operation with airspace observer over sparsely populated area
This CH-STS is used for flights beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) between the pilot and the UAS below 120 metres. The flight is in uncontrolled airspace over a sparsely populated area, i.e an area with no more than 10 inhabited houses in a 100-metre radius. The maximum permitted distance between the pilot and the UAS is 1km. This scenario allows for several AOs, so the distance can be extended as desired, provided that the distance between the UAS and the nearest AO is no more than 1km at any time. The AOs must check the airspace around them for approaching traffic at all times and inform the pilot accordingly.
Deadline: Applications must be submitted at least 1 month before the intended operation.
Costs: Depending on time and effort, hourly rate according to FOCA fee ordinance.
The standard procedure for professional FPV races allows an event organiser to organise and hold FPV races in Switzerland. The permit is issued to the event organiser and allows the participating pilots to operate their drones beyond direct visual line of sight within a defined and secured race circuit.
Deadline: Applications must be submitted at least 10 days before the planned event.
