New rules for drone flights
Switzerland has adopted the EU’s drone regulation as of 1 January 2023. This has implications for drone flights over ETH premises or those operated by ETH employees.
On 1 January 2023, the EU drone regulation went into effect in Switzerland. This means that there are now some new regulations for drone pilots – including at ETH.
New categories
The European regulation includes safety standards for the manufacture, certification and operation of drones. The distinction between the categories “open”, “specific” and “certified” is new.
- In the external page“open” category, drones can be used without a permit from the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) if they are operated within visual line of sight, remain below an altitude of 120m and weigh no more than 25kg. For drones heavier than 250g, however, the operators are now required to complete a certain level of training (see below). Depending on the weight of the drone, there are also restrictions on how close you can fly to uninvolved people.
- Drones come under the external page“specific” category as soon as one or more of the rules of the open category cannot be complied with or the drone’s takeoff weight is greater than 25kg. Drone operation must then be approved by the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA), for example.
- The “certified” category is intended for very high-risk operations (e.g. transporting passengers or dangerous goods). Its rules are still being finalised.
Registration required
In all the above categories, pilots and operators of drones weighing more than 250g must now register on the FOCA’s online platform (external pageUAS.gate). This also applies to drones weighing less than 250g in cases where the drone is equipped with a camera, microphone or other sensor capable of collecting personal data.
Proof of certification
For most drones in the “open” category, pilots must now obtain the appropriate certification. To this end, the external pageUAS.gate online drone portal offers a self-study training course including a final exam. Those who pass the exam are awarded a certificate (competency certificate/remote pilot certificate).
Important information for ETH drone flights
If you want to operate a drone, say for research purposes, please educate yourself about the necessary precautions and permits by visiting the external pageFOCA website. For all drone flights at ETH you need a permit from the licensing office.
Should you have further questions, from SSHE will be happy to answer them.
Further information
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