Drone training: how to become a drone pilot?

In order to become a professional drone pilot (and to comply with current aeronautical regulations), it is necessary to obtain state diplomas awarded by the DGAC (Directorate General of Civil Aviation), or even to have completed several practical training courses provided by an approved professional training center.

Drone pilot training: what are the current regulations?

Firstly, a minimum age is required for drone piloting: 16 years old for scenarios S1 (visual line of sight flight), S2 (beyond visual line of sight flight within 1 km of the remote pilot) and S3 (flight in populated area) AND 18 years old for scenario S4 (beyond visual line of sight flight).

Drone training and theoretical skills

This training, provided at a flight school, allows students to obtain, upon successful completion of a theoretical pilot exam, a remote pilot theoretical competency certificate issued by the DGAC (French Civil Aviation Authority). This certificate is essential for piloting all types of professional civilian drones (with the exception of tethered aerostats).
This pilot training is insufficient to fly an aircraft within the framework of the S4 operational scenario. The remote pilot must supplement it by holding one of the following licenses: airplane pilot, helicopter pilot, glider license including cross-country flight.
It is important to note that any license issued by another European Union member state under EASA regulations is valid with the exception of microlight pilot licenses (and associated microlight training), the basic license and the LAPL with a restriction to local flight.
Also accepted are the certificates issued by the Ministry of Defence identified in the decree of 5 September 2014.

Drone training and practical skills

Practical drone training is required to validate a drone pilot's competence to operate. This excludes remote pilots of tethered balloons, who must undergo extensive practical training (takeoff, landing, exercises, etc.) and hold a training certificate. A remote pilot cannot provide their own practical drone training.
This certificate, issued by one of the training organization's instructors, must be included in the drone operator's specific activity manual. Furthermore, all remote pilots of aircraft weighing over 25 kg (except tethered balloons) must obtain a specific competency certificate issued by the DSAC (French Civil Aviation Authority).

What new regulations will drone pilots be subject to tomorrow?
Each member state of the European Union currently applies its own regulations to secure its airspace.
To promote the development of drone activity in Europe, the Commission has drawn up two regulations (2019/947 and 2019/945) aimed at harmonizing practices within the Union. The DGAC (French Civil Aviation Authority) has implemented these regulations through several decrees (including the training decree).

Currently, regulations are defined based on the drone's weight and intended use: model aircraft (recreational drones), experimentation (tests conducted by manufacturers), and specific activities (civilian drones). The future regulations, to be defined by civil aviation authorities, will overturn this approach in favor of proportionate regulations directly linked to safety rules implemented to ensure the safety of people on the ground.

As part of the training decree, drone training programs and the diplomas required to practice are being revised according to three new categories: open, specific and certified.

Currently, only new training courses associated with the Open category (visual, low-altitude flights with aircraft weighing less than 25 kg, posing a low risk to people on the ground) have been defined.

– For drones weighing less than 250 grams (subcategory A1), no training will be required.

– For a drone weighing less than 900 grams flying close to a third party (subcategory A1), a new assessment called Fox Alpha Tango Version 2 will be available. The multiple-choice questions will cover more modules with a longer exam (40 questions and answers – minimum 75% passing score) than the current recreational training (5 modules – 20 questions and answers – 100% passing score).

– For any drone weighing less than 4 kg flying remotely from third parties (subcategory A2), it will be necessary to obtain the Fox Alpha Tango Version 2 assessment, complete a self-declared practical training course and undergo additional theoretical training in order to obtain the "remote pilot competency certificate" which must be renewed every 5 years.
For drones under 25 kg in unpopulated areas (subcategory A3), the remote pilot must have completed and obtained Fox Alpha Tango Version 2 training.
The training programs applicable to specific and certified categories are still being defined and the scopes covered remain unclear to this day.

What is the timeframe for these changes in drone regulations?

A transition plan is currently being discussed with the European Union. The new exams will only be available from January 1, 2022. The new pilot training courses will be mandatory from December 31, 2025. During the transition period, current qualifications will remain valid.

What funding is available for your drone pilot training?

Do you want to become a professional drone pilot? Are you a job seeker or undergoing career retraining? Are you looking for an instructor or a training school? Drone pilot training is mandatory. You can compare the drone pilot training programs offered by different schools. Inquire about funding options, as there are several ways to obtain financial assistance, such as DIF (Individual Training Leave) for professional training, your CPF (Personal Training Account), or FONGECIF. Fongecif supports employees with their personal training projects and helps them finance their training. Alternatively, if you are employed by a company, the OCPA (Organization for the Coordination of Professional Activities) may contribute to the financing of your drone training.

What can GESTADRONE software do for you?

GESTADRONE professional drone management software offers the operator the ability to:
Determine the skills (aeronautical and/or professional) required to perform a specific activity.,
Define the means of validating the skills of drone pilots (pilot's license, state diploma, internal self-assessment authorization)
Formalize the training plan that drone remote pilots will have to follow
List external training organizations.
To carry out real-time monitoring of the training course of each of its remote pilots AND to verify in advance that the latter complies with the regulations before being able to assign him to a flight.