Snapshot: drone certification and licensing in France

Certification and licensing

What certificates or licences are required to operate drones and what procedures apply?

Article L.6214-2 of the French Code of Transport provides that all remote pilots must undergo training to enable them controlling the progress of unmanned aircraft safely, in compliance with the rules and conditions of use relating to air navigation.

The operational category determines the procedural complexity and certification. The required training gradually go from:

• mere training course provided online by the French Civil Aviation Authority (a 40-question online exam, with a 75 per cent pass rate required for certification); to
• additional Certificate of Theoretical Aptitude as a Remote Pilot (CATT) for operations in scenarios requiring authorisation, or for predefined or standard scenarios (eg, STS-01, STS-02), a Certificate of Theoretical Aptitude for Standard Scenarios (CATS); to
• an advanced pilot licensing, for the more complex operations.

See more details below on Remote Pilot Licences.

Are certification and licensing procedures subject to any taxes or fees?

For the open category, the OPEN A1/A3 theory test is free. The OPEN A2, CATT and CATS theory tests cost €30. However, the cost of practical training may vary from one organisation to another.

Who may apply for certifications and licences? Do any restrictions apply?

Under the open category, one must be at least 14 years old to operate a drone and obtain certification in the open category. However, the drone must be registered by the minor's legal representative.

There is no age limit for operating in subcategory A1, with an aircraft that is considered under Directive 2009/48/EC as a toy (class C0).

Under the specific category, the remote pilot must be at least 16 years old to be eligible for certification.

Must remote pilots obtain any certifications or licences to operate drones? If so, do the relevant procedures differ based on the type of drone or operation?

The operational category determines the procedural complexity and certification. Heavier drones or operations involving BVLOS, populated areas or higher risk require more stringent licensing and authorisations.

Training and equipment are aligned with the drone class (eg, C0-C6) and operation type (eg, standard or non-standard scenarios).

As regards the open category, for subcategories A1/A3, it is necessary to complete the online training and passing an online exam through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC)’s AlphaTango portal. For subcategory A3, an additional theoretical exam is required, which covers more advanced topics such as risk assessment and airspace management.

As regards the specific category, remote pilots must obtain a Certificate of Theoretical Aptitude as a Remote Pilot for operations in scenarios requiring authorisation. CATT ensures that remote pilots have the necessary theoretical knowledge to operate drones, especially for national standard scenarios such as S-1, S-2 and S-3.

For European predefined or standard scenarios (eg, STS-01, STS-02), a Certificate of Theoretical Aptitude for Standard Scenarios (CATS) may be required. It is designed to replace CATT once the operational national standard scenarios have been officially superseded by European standards. The training includes operational planning, scenario-specific risk assessments and practical applications based on the scenario. This certification is valid for five years.

As regards certified category, an advanced pilot licence is required, often equivalent to manned aviation standards.

Are foreign operators authorised to fly drones in your jurisdiction? If so, what requirements and restrictions apply?

Foreign drone operators are allowed to fly drones under certain conditions, which vary depending on the operator's nationality, the type of operation and the category of drone use.

Basic rules require EU drone regulation compliance, drone registration, remote pilot certificates and remote identification.

For drone operations under the open category, no specific restrictions apply other than the respect of basic legislation.

For the specific category, UAS operator registered in another EU member state can operate within French territory with a prior declaration to the DGAC via the Alphatango portal.

Drone operators who are not nationals of a member state must apply for authorisation to fly in France from the competent authority in their country of registration. They must then submit a copy of this authorisation to the DSAC, along with details of where they plan to operate.

A foreign operator (outside the European Union) will have to register as a European UAS operator in the first member state in which he or she wishes to operate. Then, the previous rules relating to operators from another member state wishing to fly in France will apply to him.

Is a certificate of airworthiness required to operate drones? If so, what procedures apply?

There is no airworthiness certificate for the open category. However, before each flight, the remote pilot must check the airworthiness of the drone by referring to the manufacturer's manual, check that the batteries are in good condition and that the drone's pre-recorded parameters are correct.

For specific categories, there is an obligation to approve the drone. This is usually done by the drone manufacturer, who applies for a design certificate. The operator making modifications may be obliged to apply for a new design certificate, particularly when these modifications concern the maximum take-off weight, the impact energy limitation device, the authorised scenarios or the autopilot.

For the certified category, a certificate of airworthiness is required for which the manufacturer will typically apply. Operators must ensure that the drone they use is certified.

All operators must keep abreast of revisions to the manufacturer's maintenance manual.