At a glance

Weight and main feature
Under 25 kg at take-off and under 3 m in largest dimension.
Open subcategory
A3
Operator registration
It depends: yes if the drone weighs 250 g or more, or has a camera.
Course or exam
Yes: an online A1/A3 course and exam.
Height limit
No higher than 120 m above the ground.
People around you
Away from uninvolved people and at least 150 m from built-up or recreational areas.

What to do before you fly

  • Drone, propellers and battery: check them before every flight. In the drone app, also check that remote identification (Remote ID) is on.
  • Weather and wind: check the forecast and stay within the wind limit in the drone manual.
  • People and obstacles: pick an open spot and look at what is around you: people, wires, trees, buildings.
  • Airspace: check whether the point is in a restricted geographical zone. In Romania, the zones are published by ROMATSA.
  • Approval: if the zone requires an approval, get it before you fly. For filming or photography in a restricted zone you also need the approval of the Ministry of National Defence.

What to know about this class

Specific to class C3

  • You fly only in subcategory A3.
  • You fly only where you reasonably expect not to endanger uninvolved people, and at least 150 m from residential, commercial, industrial or recreational areas.
  • Remote identification (Remote ID) and the geographical-zone warning (geo-awareness) must be switched on and up to date. The first broadcasts, among other things, your operator number during the flight; the second shows you the restricted zones so you can take them into account. Exception: a tethered drone has no remote identification requirement.

General rules for the whole Open category

  • You keep the drone in your visual line of sight at all times, with the naked eye (VLOS). An observer can help you.
  • The 120 m limit is measured from the closest point of the ground below the drone. Exception: near a structure taller than 105 m, the flight may go up to 15 m above it, within 50 m of it, only at the request of whoever is responsible for the structure.
  • You do not carry dangerous goods and you do not drop anything from the drone.
  • In Romania, the Open category needs no authorisation from AACR. Restricted geographical zones and the Air Code still apply.

Registration and pilot training

  • When to register: if the drone weighs 250 g or more, or has a camera or another sensor able to capture personal data.
  • Where: once, as an operator, in the country where you live. In Romania, on the AACR portal: uas.caa.ro.
  • You display your operator number on the drone and upload it to the remote identification.
  • Training: an online course and an online A1/A3 theory exam (40 questions, at least 75% correct). In Romania, the exam is run by AACR on uas.caa.ro.
  • Carry proof of the exam when you fly. It is valid for 5 years.
  • The minimum pilot age is 16, except when flying under the direct supervision of a pilot who meets the requirements.
  • Insurance: AACR requires it for drones over 20 kg.

What Drone Log checks

Choose the point where you want to fly. Drone Log checks the restrictions identified for that place and shows you what to do next.

Check your flight

Important

Rules can depend on the country, the type of operation and the geographical zone. Always check the official information before you fly.

Official sources