For drone operators

If you would like to know more about flying your drone in a U-space airspace in Switzerland, you can find information here.

Operation in U-space airspace

Anyone flying their drone in U-space airspace in Switzerland or the EU must use U-space services (except for drones with a take-off weight below 250g (open category), model aircraft, state aviation, military operations). These services are provided by approved U-space service providers (USSPs).

U-space service providers (USSPs)

USSPs are organisations that have been certified to provide U-space services in U-space airspace. USSPs are certified by the competent authority of the member state in which they have their principal place of business. The FOCA is responsible for certifying USSPs headquartered in Switzerland. There are currently no certified USSPs in Switzerland or the EU.

Choosing a USSP

Drone operators are free to choose their USSP, provided it is certified in Switzerland. There are currently no certified USSPs in Switzerland or the EU. USSPs are published on this page as soon as they are certified to operate in Switzerland.

Use of U-space services

Once a USSP has been selected and its services are ready for use, operators can use it to fly in U-Space airspace. The U-space Operator Manual explains the procedure.

U-Space Operator Manual

Guidelines on drone operation in U-space airspace for operators in Switzerland.

Before flying

• Permit to fly, airspace restrictions, activate services

  1.     Obtain permit to fly

  U-space service: UAS flight authorisation service

  Within a U-space airspace, drone operations must be authorised in advance by the USSP. This authorisation also ensures that no drone operations are planned at the same location at the same time. Authorisations are granted on a first come, first served basis. Only special operations (e.g. police operations) take priority.  

  Important: Drone operators must still obtain the necessary operational permits from the relevant authorities or ensure that the weather conditions are optimal for the planned operation.

  2.     Review airspace restrictions

  U-space service: Geo-awareness service

  Drone operators receive up-to-date information about the applicable flight restrictions as well as other temporary and dynamic airspace restrictions in the planned area of operation via the geo-awareness service.  You alone are responsible for ensuring that you meet the conditions for flying into a particular flight restriction area (e.g. authorisation with the relevant body).

  3.     Activate U-space services

  U-space service: UAS flight authorisation service

  Before each take-off, the flight confirmed by the UAS flight authorisation service is activated. After activation, drone operations can start. The other U-Space services are now also ready for use.

While flying

• Localisation, monitoring of air traffic data and restrictions

  4.     Localise the drone

  U-space service: Network identification service

  Once the flight is activated, the network identification service starts. It allows authorised users to identify the drone operation in real time and retrieve relevant information. No personal data is published at any time.

  5.     Monitor air traffic data

  U-space service: Traffic information service

  Throughout the drone flight, drone operators receive information on manned and unmanned air traffic in their vicinity. They are responsible for avoiding mid-air collisions.

  6.     Monitor any (new) restrictions

  U-space service: Geo-awareness service

  Any changes to operating conditions, flight restrictions or airspace restrictions in the U-space airspace in which the drone is operated will be reported. If the U-space airspace is in controlled airspace, the U-space may be temporarily closed as soon as a manned aircraft flies in this airspace. In this case, the drone operator will be informed by the USSP. If the drone operator is still in flight preparation, the flight will not be activated. If this dynamic reconfiguration happens during the flight, the operators must ensure that they either land the drone safely or leave the restricted area as quickly as possible.

  7.     Check weather (not in each U-space airspace necessary)

  U-space service: Weather service

  The weather information service provides weather data before or during flight to safely plan and execute drone operations.

  8.     Check deviations (not in each U-space airspace necessary)

  U-space service: Conformance monitoring service

  Drone operators are notified by the USSP if the USSP detects a deviation from the confirmed flight plan. The USSP also warns other drone operators in the vicinity, Skyguide (if the deviation could endanger the safety of manned aircraft in controlled airspace) and other relevant authorities.

After flying

• Deactivate U-space services

  9.     Deactivate U-space services

  U-space service: all

  Services must be deactivated as soon as the drone has landed.