Drone Training: How Do You Become a Drone Pilot?

In order to become a professional drone pilot (and to comply with current aviation regulations), it is necessary to obtain state certifications issued by the DGAC (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) and to have completed several practical training courses offered by an accredited vocational training center.

Drone Pilot Training: What Are the Current Regulations?

First of all, there is a minimum age requirement for flying drones: 16 years of age for scenarios S1 (visual line of sight), S2 (beyond visual line of sight within 1 km of the pilot), and S3 (flight in populated areas), AND 18 years of age for scenario S4 (beyond visual line of sight).

Drone Training and Theoretical Knowledge

This training, provided at a flight school, allows students to obtain—after passing a pilot theory exam—a remote pilot theory proficiency certificate issued by the DGAC. This certificate is required to operate any type of professional civilian drone (with the exception of tethered aerostats).
This pilot training is insufficient to fly an aircraft under the S4 operational scenario. The drone pilot must supplement it by holding one of the following licenses in addition: airplane pilot, helicopter pilot, or glider license including cross-country flight.
It is important to note that any license issued by another European Union member state in accordance with EASA regulations is valid, with the exception of microlight licenses (and associated microlight training), the basic license, and the LAPL with a local flight restriction.
Licenses issued by the Ministry of Defense and identified in the decree of September 5, 2014, are also accepted.

Drone Training and Practical Skills

Practical drone training is required to validate a drone pilot’s ability to operate a drone. The exception is remote pilots of tethered aerostats, who must complete highly advanced practical training (takeoff, landing, exercises, etc.) and hold a certificate of training completion. A remote pilot may not conduct their own practical drone training.
This certificate, issued by one of the training organization’s instructors, must be attached to the drone operator’s specific activity manual. Furthermore, all remote pilots of aircraft weighing more than 25 kg (except tethered aerostats) must obtain a specific competency certificate issued by the DSAC.

What new regulations will drone pilots be subject to in the future?
Each European Union member state currently enforces its own regulations to ensure the safety of its airspace.
To promote the development of the drone industry in Europe, the Commission has drafted two regulations (2019/947 and 2019/945) aimed at harmonizing practices within the Union. The DGAC has translated these into several decrees (including the training decree).

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

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

At this time, only the new training programs associated with the Open category (visual-line-of-sight flights at low altitude 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 drones weighing less than 900 grams and flying in urban areas (subcategory A1), a new assessment called Fox Alpha Tango Version 2 will be available. The multiple-choice questions will cover more modules, and the exam will be longer (40 questions—a minimum correct answer rate of 75%) than the current recreational training program (5 modules—20 questions—100% pass rate).

– For any drone weighing less than 4 kg that flies away from third parties (subcategory A2), you must obtain the Fox Alpha Tango Version 2 assessment, complete a self-directed practical training program, and take supplemental theoretical training in order to obtain the “remote pilot certificate,” which must be renewed every 5 years
For drones weighing less than 25 kg in unpopulated areas (subcategory A3), the remote pilot must have completed and passed the Fox Alpha Tango Version 2 training.
The training programs applicable to specific, certified categories are still being defined, and the scope of coverage remains unclear at this time.

What does the future hold for these changes in drone regulations?

A transition plan is currently being discussed with the European Union. The new exams will not be available until January 1, 2022. The new pilot training programs will be mandatory as of December 31, 2025. During the transition period, current certifications will remain valid.

What funding options are available for your drone pilot training?

Do you want to become a professional drone pilot? Are you looking for a job or changing careers? Are you looking for a flight instructor or a training school? Drone pilot training is mandatory. You can compare the drone pilot training programs offered by each school. Find out more, as there are several ways to secure funding through financial assistance programs such as the DIF (Individual Right to Training) for vocational training, your CPF (Personal Training Account), or FONGECIF. FONGECIF supports employees in their personal training projects and helps them finance their training. Or, if you’re an employee of a company, the OCPA may help finance your drone training.

What can the GESTADRONE software do for you?

The professional drone management software GESTADRONE offers operators the ability to:
Determine the skills (aeronautical and/or vocational) required to perform a specific activity,
Define the methods for validating remote pilots’ qualifications (pilot license, state diploma, self-assessment for internal certification)
Formalize the training plan that drone remote pilots must follow
List external training organizations.
Monitor the training progress of each remote pilot in real time AND verify in advance that they comply with regulations before assigning them to a flight.