Category A1 Rules For Motorcyclists
Category a1 rules are for those who wish to ride small motorbikes. These motorcycles have cylinder capacity of up to 35kW. They cannot be directly derived from vehicles that have more than double their power.
Open category drone operations are split into three subcategories - A1 to A3. You can fly drones that have the class label C0 or A1 within the subcategory A1 (flying over people) up until January 2024.
A1
Category A1 is one of three drone categories that are subject to the control of EASA. It is applicable to aircrafts up to the maximum takeoff mass (MTOM) which is 25 kilograms. It requires a log of flight, a flight plan and an identification system for remote use and a geoawareness. The drone must be within the constant view of the pilot. It is prohibited to fly over individuals or areas that are used for recreational, commercial or industrial purposes. The drone must stay below 120 meters.
If you want to fly a drone which isn't included in the categories above, you will need an exclusive license from the Civil Aviation Authority. This is known as an operational authorisation. Here you can learn more about how to apply for it.
The applicants for a category A1 licence must have at minimum 16 years of riding two-wheeled motor vehicles. They must also complete compulsory basic training and have passed the theory test and practical test. They also need to have a valid medical certification.
A1 license holders are allowed to drive two-wheeled mopeds, as they ensure that their capacity for cylinders is not greater than 125cc and their power to weight ratio is not greater than 0.1 kW/kg. They can also drive motorcycles with the maximum capacity of 125 cc, as well as trikes, quad bikes and quad-bikes.
The category A1 driving license is designed to provide easier access to the next category, which permits holders to drive vehicles with a maximum mass of up 35 kW. This is an incentive to get some experience driving vehicles with less power before moving on to the higher categories of licence.
From January 1, 2024, current drones without a CE mark can be operated in subcategory A1. They are safe and pose no significant danger to the general population. However, they must be at 150 meters from buildings, industry and recreational areas. Additionally, they should not fly over crowds or operate within 5 kilometers of airfields or airports.
A2
You could be eligible to apply for an A1 motorcycle license If you have completed your CBT and are interested in obtaining a motorcycle license. This permits you to operate a small motorcycle without a sidecar. The vehicle must have a maximum cylinder capacity of 125cc, as well as a maximum power output of 11 kW. The licence is only accessible to those who are at least 16 years of age. You can learn more about the different categories and their regulations by viewing your driving licence information online.
You can also fly drones that have the maximum weight of 4kg in the A2 category, but they must be kept at a safe distance away from people when taking off and landing. The distances of separation are vertical, not lateral, and the drones must be kept to 30m away from people who aren't involved, or 5m when they're in 'low-speed mode'. To fly in this category, you must also pass the A2 Certificate of Competence exam (A2 CofC).
If you're looking to fly larger drones, you'll need to apply for an operator's license for the specific category. This requires you to complete the General VLOS Certificate training, flight assessment, and create an Operations Manual. The process for applying is similar to that of a PfCO. You can learn more about the requirements in our thorough guide.
A2 also enables drones that are transitional which aren't CE registered, but have been modified to lower the chance of collisions with humans. You'll only be able to fly these drones in A2 until the end of 2022, following which they'll be required to comply with A3 regulations.
The A1 and A2 categories will help you develop into a confident and secure motorcyclist. The amount of lessons you will have to complete will depend on your skill and progress, but a prescribed amount of special rides should be taken. These include a minimum of five lessons on country roads, four on highways and three at dawn or in darkness.
A3
This category allows flights with drones with an maximum take-off weight of up to 25 kg. It is a lower-risk operation but stringent precautions must be taken to avoid incidents. A distance of safety of 150 meters must be maintained between residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas. This category also requires drones be equipped with an identification system for remotes and Geoawareness Systems.
This tier is further divided into sub categories, A1, A2 or even A3. The A1 subcategory allows drones sporting Class Identification Label C0 or C1 to fly over individuals who are not in the drone. It is required to be at least 30 metres from any third party while flying at a flight height, or 5 metres in slow flight mode.
Drones with the Class Identification Label C2 can be operated under subcategory A2 when they meet the size requirements and the remote pilot has passed an additional theory test. This exam is designed for the remote pilot to assess their knowledge of the technical and operational mitigations that address the additional risks of flying bigger drones (class A2, below 4kg mass), close to people. The certificate of competence to fly Category A2 is given upon successful completion of the test.
There are transitional arrangements that allow legacy drones, which are not certified, to be operated under categories A1 and/or A2 for two years following the implementation of the new EU regulations. Legacy drones are not permitted to be deliberately flown overhead of people and must be operated with an A2 CofC.
To operate a drone in this category you must pass the standard online flyer ID test, and then pass an additional theoretical test. visit the following site must also declare that you have some actual understanding of your drone and then submit a written proof of competency. These requirements are similar to the model of a driving license in that the driver who has first obtained their license for a lower category vehicle is then able to move on to an upper category.
A4
The DOH is currently working on detailed guidelines to be used for category A4. They will be in line with the other procedures and will include details such as the number of dressing changes per day. These guidelines 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 finalized the guidelines will be reviewed and approved by both the DOH National Immunization Technical Advisory Group and the IATF-EID.
In this category, drones that have a class identification label C0 and C1 are permitted to fly within a minimum distance of 50 metres of uninvolved people. This is a low-risk category, but strict precautions are still required to minimize incidents. Drones classified as A1 or A2 must be able to pass an additional theoretical test before they can operate in this subcategory.
This test is designed to test your understanding of the additional risks that come from flying drones in close proximity to people. The certificate of competence is issued after passing this test. The pilot must maintain a minimum distance of 30 metres between the aircraft and any non-involved person or 5 metres when flying in slow-flight mode.
You must take an amount of lessons to pass the theory test and then the practical test. This number varies based on your age, abilities and learning speed. But, at least 12 lessons of 90 minutes are required to be completed.
During these lessons you will become familiar with your vehicle and traffic rules. In addition, you will be given useful tips to drive in difficult terrain. In addition to the required lessons, you will need to take a specified number of special rides.
The new category E blends classes A1 (retail), class A2 (financial and professional services), class B1 (offices), class A4 (restaurants/cafes) and classes A5 and B5 (hot food takeaway). This category also includes health and medical reasons, creches and nursery schools, and indoor sports/recreational facilities. The change is likely to streamline the licensing process as well as reduce costs. It will also permit landlords to use their properties in ways that are not currently permitted.