Category A1 Rules For Motorcyclists
The rules for Category A1 are designed for those who want to drive small motorcycles. These motorcycles have capacity of cylinders up to 35 kW. They cannot be derived from vehicles of more than twice their power.
Open category drone operations are split into three subcategories: A1 to A3. You can fly drones with class labels C0 or C1 within the A1 subcategory (fly over people) until January 2024.
A1
Category A1 is one of the three EASA drone categories. It is applicable to aircraft with a maximum take-off mass (MTOM) of up to 25 kilograms. It requires a log of flight, a flight plan and remote identification systems, and a geoawareness. The drone should be visible to the pilot at all at all times. It is not allowed to fly over individuals or areas used for commercial, recreational or industrial purposes. The drone must remain below 120 meters above ground level.
If you plan to fly a drone that is not included in the categories above You will need an additional license from the Civil Aviation Authority. This is known as an operational authorization. You can find out more about how to apply for this here.
Candidates for a category A1 licence must have at minimum 16 years of experience riding two-wheeled motor vehicles. They must also have completed the compulsory basic training and have passed a theory test and a practical test. They must also possess an authentic medical certificate.
A1 license holders are permitted to drive mopeds that have the capacity of cylinders not more than 1250 cc, and a power-to-weight ratio not more than 0.01 kW/kg. They can also ride motorcycles that have a maximum cylinder capacity of 125 cc as well as trikes, quad bikes and quad-bikes.
The category A1 driving licence is designed to facilitate access to the next vehicle category, which allows holders to drive vehicles with a maximum mass of up 35 kW. This allows you to get experience driving less powerful cars before transitioning to higher licence categories.
From January 1st, 2024, all current drones that don't have an CE mark can be flown within the subcategory of A1. They are not at risk and do not pose a significant danger to the general public. However, they must be at least 150 meters away from industries, buildings and recreation areas. They are also not allowed to fly over crowds or within 5 kilometers of airfields or airports.
A2
You could be eligible for an A1 motorcycle licence after you have completed your CBT and are interested in obtaining an A1 motorcycle licence. This permits you to drive the bike with a smaller size without any sidecar. It must have the capacity of cylinders up to 125cc, and an output of up to 11 kW. jazda na skuterze must also be at least 16 years old in order to get this licence. You can learn more about the various categories and the rules they apply to by looking up your driving licence information online.
You can also fly in the A2 sub-category with drones that have a mass of up to 4kg but you must keep them at a safe distance from people during take off and landing. The separation distances are vertical, not lateral, and the drones must be kept at 30m or more away from people who aren't involved, or 5m when they're in low-speed mode. You must also complete the A2 Certificate of Competence (A2 CofC) exam to fly in this category.
If you plan to fly larger drones you will need to apply for an operator's permit for a specific category and this requires completion of the General VLOS Certificate (GVC) training and flight assessment, as well as the preparation of an Operations Manual. The process for applying for a specific category permit is very similar to a PfCO and you can find out more about the requirements in our comprehensive guide.
A2 also enables you to fly transitional drones which aren't CE registered, but have been modified to lessen the risk of collisions with people. You'll only be able to fly these drones in A2 until the 2022 deadline, after which they'll have to be in compliance with A3 regulations.
The A1 and A2 categories can help you develop into a confident and secure motorcyclist. The number of lessons you will have to complete will depend on your skill and progress, but a predetermined amount of special rides should be completed. This is a minimum of five-hour lesson on country roads, four on highways, and three at dawn or in darkness.
A3
This category permits drones with a an maximum takeoff mass of 25 kg. This is a safer operation but stringent precautions should be taken to prevent incidents. A safety distance of 150 meters is required from industrial, commercial, residential and recreational areas. This is also a requirement that drones to be equipped with a remote identifier system and a Geoawareness System.
As with the Open category the tier is split into subcategories A1,A2 and A3. The A1 subcategory permits flights over uninvolved persons and is designated for drones having an identification label for Class C0 or C1. It imposes the requirement of a minimum distance of 30m from other drones when flying at an altitude of flight or 5 metres in slow flight mode.
Drones that are class-identified with the label C2 are able to be operated in subcategory A2 provided that the drone meets the requirements for size and the remote pilot is able to pass an additional test of theoretical knowledge. This test is designed to test the remote pilot's knowledge of the operational and technical mitigations to mitigate the risks of flying larger drones (class C2, less than 4kg mass) close to people. The certificate of ability to fly Category A2 is given upon successful completion of this test.
Due to the limited availability of certified drones in this category, there are 'transitional' arrangements that permit non-certified 'legacy' drones to be operated in categories A1 and A2 for a period of two years following the new EU regulations come into the market. The drones of the past cannot be deliberately flown overhead of people and must be operated using an A2 CofC.
To operate a drone in this category, you need to first complete the online flyer identification test and then pass a theory test. You must also prove that you have some actual knowledge of your drone and submit a written declaration of competency. These requirements are similar to the model of a driving license which means that drivers who first get their license for a vehicle of a lower category can then be upgraded to an upper category.
A4
The DOH is currently working on specific guidelines to be used for category A4. They will be in line with other operations and will also include information such as the number of dressing changes each day. They will be presented to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infections (IATF-EID) and the DOH National Immunization Technical Advisory Group. Before they are published the guidelines will be reviewed and approved by both the DOH National Immunization Technical Advisory Group and the IATF-EID.
Drones bearing the label of class identification C0 or C1 can fly within 50 meters of people who aren't involved in the incident. This is a relatively low-risk subcategory, but stringent precautions should be taken to avoid accidents. Drones classified as A1 or A2 are required to take an additional theoretical test to be able to operate in this subcategory.
This test is designed to measure your understanding of the additional risks that are associated with flying drones near people. Successful completion of the test will result in a certificate of competence for this subcategory. The operator must also keep a minimum distance of 30 metres from any uninvolved person, or 5 meters when flying in slow flight mode.
If you are looking to get a motorcycle licence, you must complete an amount of instruction classes to pass the theory test and subsequently pass the practical test. This number varies based on your age, ability and learning speed. A minimum of 12 90-minute classes must be completed.
During these lessons you will become familiar with your vehicle and traffic laws. Additionally, you will get valuable tips to drive in difficult terrain. You must also attend a certain number of special rides in addition to your mandatory driving lessons.
The new category E amalgamates classes A1 (retail) as well as class A2 (financial and professional services) and class B1 (offices) and class A4 (restaurants/cafes) and classes A5 and B5 (hot food takeaway). This category also includes health/medical reasons, creches and nursery schools, and indoor recreation facilities and sports facilities. The change is expected to simplify the licensing process and reduce costs. The landlords will be able utilize their properties in ways they are not currently allowed.