Open Category Drone Operations
Low-risk drone flights
What Is The Open Category?
The Open Category is designed for drone operations which are low risk in nature - either because the drone is light weight or operations are conducted far away from people.
Generally speaking, the Open Category is designed for recreational drone pilots or for low-risk commercial operations.
You can operate recreationally or commercially in the Open Category.
Open Categories: Sub-categories
The Open Category is split into three sub-categories.
These sub-categories determine where you can fly your drone - based on the weight of your aircraft.
The sub-categories are:
A1: Fly Over People But Not Crowds
A2: Fly Close To People
A3: Fly Far From People
Each subcategory comes with its own set of requirements - however, pilots must abide by the following rules across all subcategories:
Maximum flight height of 120m/400ft.
Maintain visual line of sight of the aircraft at all times.
No dropping of articles/or carrying dangerous goods.
No flights within restricted airspace (Restricted Areas, Danger Areas, FRZs) without relevant permission.
A1 Subcategory: Fly Over People
The A1 subcategory sets out operational rules for drones weighing up to 250g and drones weighing between 250g and 500g.
Drones Weighing Up To 250g
Drones weighing up to 250g - such as the DJI Mini Series and the DJI Neo - have a high level of operational freedom.
The table below highlights what you can do:
Operating Area | Registration | Competency |
|---|---|---|
You can fly over uninvolved people, but not crowds. | Yes - if the drone has a camera, and is not classed as a toy. | Read the drone's user manual. |
Drones Weighing 250g-500g
Drones weighing between 250g and 500g - such as the DJI Avata Series - can also operate in the A1 subcategory, but the rules are slightly stricter.
You must also conduct formal training, known as the A2 Certificate of Competency. This training is delivered by heliguy™. If you do not have an A2 CofC, you need to operate in the A3 subcategory, stipulating flights far away from people.
Operating Area | Registration | Competency |
|---|---|---|
No intentional flight over uninvolved people | Yes | Read the drone's user manual. Complete the CAA's free test. A2 CofC - theory learning; theory test; and self-practical training. |
Open Category: A2 Subcategory
The A2 subcategory is for drones weighing up to 2kg - such as the DJI Mavic 3 Series, DJI Avata Series, and DJI Air 3.
It allows you to fly close to people - however, you must have an A2 Certificate of Competency, which can be completed with heliguy™.
If you do not have an A2 CofC, you need to fly far away from people, as per the requirements of the A3 subcategory.
Operating Area | Registration | Competency |
|---|---|---|
You must not overfly people. You must not fly closer than 50m horizontally from uninvolved people. | Yes | Read the drone's user manual. Complete the CAA's free test. A2 CofC - theory learning; theory test; and self-practical training. The A2 CofC can be completed with heliguy™. |
Open Category: A3 Subcategory
Any drone weighing under 25kg can be flown in the A3 subcategory - but this restricts flights to being 'far from people'.
Pilots operating in this subcategory are those whose aircraft weigh between 250g and 2kg and do not have an A2 CofC.
Drones weighing more than 2kg can also operate in this category - but pilots will likely opt to fly in the Specific Category, which enables greater privileges for larger aircraft.
Operating Area | Registration | Competency |
|---|---|---|
No uninvolved people within the area of flight. Maintain 50m separation from any involved people. No flights within 150m horizontally of residential, commercial, industrial, or recreational areas. | Yes | Read the drone's user manual. Complete the CAA's drone registration test. |
Open Category Drone Training: The A2 CofC
The A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC) is the official training course for pilots in the Open Category. This course applies to:
Pilots flying drones weighing 250g-500g in the A1 subcategory.
Pilots flying drones up to 2kg in the A2 subcategory.
Pilots who want to operate in these subcategories but do not have an A2 CofC will need to operate in the A3 subcategory - restricting flights to 'far from people'.
The A2 CofC involves:
Theory learning
30-question multiple choice exam - covering air law/responsibilities, UAS airspace operating principles, and airmanship and aviation safety.
Self-practical flying - a minimum of 2 hours. Keep flight logs. Abide by the rules of the A3 subcategory, ie flights far from people.
The A2 CofC is valid for 5 years.
heliguy™ is a CAA-approved RAE (Recognised Assessment Entity) and delivers A2 CofC training. Benefits of training with heliguy™ include:
Online learning through the heliguy™ Learning Management System, for a remote and on-demand learning experience. Access live support from heliguy™ in-house instructors from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Sit the exam remotely via web cam.
Learn from an experienced and trusted training provider, which has 10 full-time instructors and has delivered training to 7,000+ candidates.
Do I Need Insurance When Flying A Drone In The Open Category?
If you fly a drone or model aircraft for recreation, sport, or as a hobby, you can choose whether or not to have insurance.
If you fly for any other reason, you must have third-party insurance.
For example, you must have insurance if you:
get paid to take pictures or record video;
get paid to carry out surveys;
provide delivery services;
use your drone for work, such as on a farm, park, or estate;
use a drone in an educational setting, such as a school, college, or university.