On this page you will find the latest information about drones.
10.05.2023 - FOCA Webinar - Slides Specific Category
11.04.2023 Simplification of the distance rules for the transitional category A2
08.03.2023 - FOCA webinar on new rules for drones in Switzerland
11.01.2023 - Alternative Means of Compliance (AltMoC) on Containment (SORA 2.0 Step 9)
22.12.2022 - Certificates: Validity and transition A2
25.11.2022 - Switzerland adopts EU drone regulation
For operation in the certified category:
After a first webinar on the rules of the open category and the fundamentals of the specific category, the FOCA has presented in more detail the conditions of the specific category and the various approval procedures it comprises. Here are the slides that supported this webinar:
FOCA has achieved that the same distance rules as for the subcategory A2 also apply for the transitional category A2 until the end of 2023 . Therefore the following rules now apply to the transitional category A2 (drone < 2kg):
- Horizontal distance to uninvolved persons at least according to the 1:1 rule, i.e. 40m distance when the drone is flying at 40m height.
- Minimum safety distances:
- Without low speed mode: 30 m
- With activated low speed mode (<3m/s): 5 m
Please find the details of the general order here (in German, French and Italian).
The FOCA webinar series in February attracted great interest with well over 1'000 participants. As desired, the FOCA is therefore publishing here:
Further webinars are planned, and the FOCA will communicate here accordingly.
FOCA has issued an Alternative Means of Compliance (AltMoC) to change the containment requirements and the assessment of their need as currently found in Step 9 of SORA 2.0
The details of this AltMoC are available on the SORA page.
Pilot certificates issued in UAS.gate before Jan. 1, 2023, will remain valid after the European Drone Regulation takes effect.
Transition of the exam for the A2 certificate:
- Until Jan. 22, 2023, the exam for the A2 certificate can still be taken online.
- From February 2023, the exam must be taken at the FOCA in Ittigen.
The FOCA is examining the possibility of offering the A2 examinations decentrally and/or outsourcing them in the medium term.
The EU drone regulation applies in Switzerland from 1 January 2023. It specifies three different categories for the operation of drones: open, specific and certified. The main changes are outlined below.
For operation in the open category:
- Mandatory registration via UAS.gate
- Training with examination as specified in the sub-category (A1, A2, A3).
- Minimum age for drone pilots of 12
- Minimum distance from uninvolved persons as specified in the sub-category.
- Maximum flight altitude of 120m above ground level
- Drones must bear a CE marking and a class identification label. The transitional provisions apply to drones without a class identification label.
For operation in the specific category:
- New permit procedures are available (EU-STS, PDRA, LUC)
- The FOCA may outsource some official duties. The entities involved in the authorisation procedure will be properly qualified and training will be carried out by recognised entities.
- The transitional provisions apply to certain areas:
For operation in the certified category:
The certified category mainly concerns the transport of passengers by drone (air taxis). These provisions are still being drawn up. It may be several years before they enter into force.
Last modification 11.05.2023
