UAS rules and procedures
With regard to the rules and procedures for using civil unmanned aircraft, the following apply:
European regulations
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 on operational procedures
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 on UAS and third-country operators.
National regulations
- Royal Decree 517/2024, published on 4 June 2024, which implements the legal regime for the civil use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and amends some related regulations. This continues an evolving trend in this national regulation, which is the third in just 10 years, and is consistent with European regulations in terms of promoting faster development in the sector, while letting all the players gain experience.
Spain's National Aviation Safety Agency (AESA), as the supervisory, inspection and management aeronautical authority, ensures that civil aviation standards are complied with in all of Spain's aeronautical activity, and in the field of UAS certificates, it is responsible for registering aircraft, operators, and issuing the relevant certificates and authorisations. AESA represents the first step for any drone pilot, whether professional or recreational, to which end it provides the necessary information on its website.
The role of ENAIRE
ENAIRE, as Spain’s main national civil air navigation services provider and air traffic manager, is the coordinating body for both professional and recreational UAS in all airspace under its management, including uncontrolled airspace.
The current coordination of UAS flight operations provided by ENAIRE, prior to U-space, is part of the airspace management (ASM) service during the pre-tactical phase, that is, prior to the flight itself and through which separation is ensured with other expected or known operations. Therefore, these UAS flights do not receive air traffic (ATC) or flight information (FIS) services like manned aviation does, even when they are in controlled airspace.
ENAIRE’s efforts to provide an increasingly efficient service, one that is tailored to the evolving needs of drone users within the current regulatory framework, is ongoing. We are involved in multiple working groups and are investing to adapt and improve our systems and applications, such as ENAIRE Drones, ENAIRE PLANEA, INSIGNIA, and ICAROXXI.
Remember, the best safety barrier is responsible use!
