DOPRAVNÝ ÚRAD
Conditions for UA flight operations
GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR FLIGHT OPERATIONS
The general conditions for unmanned aircraft flight operations shall be followed at all times.
The remote pilot is required prior flight operation to get acquainted and shall conduct flight operation in accordance with, in particular:
- Meteorological situation;
- Use of airspace;
- Unmanned aircraft operating conditions;
- Manufacturer instructions for safe flight operations;
- Performance, manufacturing and airworthiness limitations of unmanned aircraft;
- Flight and emergency procedures specified by unmanned aircraft manufacturer.
The unmanned aircraft flight operations shall be performed in such way to not compromise safety of other aircrafts, persons, and properties on the ground, and to ensure environment protection from noise level and pollutants emissions of the unmanned aircraft.
Remote pilot shall maintain flight operation in visual line of sight (VLOS) at all times, observe surrounding area, obstructions and avoid other air traffic according to see and avoid method.
Flight operation in uncontrolled (Class G) airspace shall be conducted in height not greater than 120 m (400 ft) above highest obstacle within a 30 m radius from the unmanned aircraft.
Within boundaries of uncontrolled aerodrome air traffic zone (ATZ) the flight operation shall be conducted only in coordination with the aerodrome operator.
It is restricted to conduct flight operations at night, an exception can be obtained by consent of the Transport Authority only after declaration of safety procedure.
The unmanned aircraft shall not be used to spray any chemical substances or to drop objects, it shall not apply for aerial work operator.
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CATEGORY A FLIGHT OPERATIONS
To conduct a Category A unmanned aircraft flight operation it is not required registration of an unmanned aircraft at the Transport Authority or remote pilot certificate. Category A unmanned aircraft flight operation may be performed during the day, maintaining unmanned aircraft in visual line of sight (VLOS).
Additional restrictions depending on Class of unmanned aircraft (based on maximum take-off mass MTOW) – unmanned aircraft flight operations shall be conducted in subcategories of Category A:
Subcategory A1:
By Class C0 unmanned aircraft (Maximum take-off mass less than 0,25 kg) and Class C1 unmanned aircraft (maximum take-off mass less than 0,9 kg) in such a way that people assemblies are not overflown. In controlled airspace* at horizontal distance of more than 3,7 km from airport reference point (ARP) and up to 30 m above ground level (AGL). Follow-me mode may be used in distance of up to 30 m of unmanned aircraft from remote pilot.
Subcategory A2:
By Class C2 unmanned aircraft (maximum take-off mass less than 4 kg) in distance of more than 50 m from uninvolved persons. In a way, that densely populated locations of cities, villages, zones or urban concentrations, open air people assemblies, constructions, airport protection zones and protected areas are not overflown. In controlled airspace* at horizontal distance of more than 3,7km from airport reference point (ARP) and up to 30 m above ground level (AGL).
Subcategory A3:
By Class C3 unmanned aircraft (maximum take-off mass less than 25 kg) and Class C4 unmanned aircraft (only model aircraft with maximum take-off mass less than 25 kg) in distance from uninvolved people, taking into account method of propulsion and characteristics of an unmanned aircraft, so they are not exposed to excessive noise level and not endangered by unmanned aircraft in flight emergency situation, but at least 50 m from such persons. In a way, that densely populated locations of cities, villages, zones or urban concentrations, open air people assemblies, constructions, airport protection zones and protected areas are not overflown. In controlled airspace* at a distance of more than 5,6 km from airport reference point (ARP) and up to 30 m above ground level (AGL).
* As controlled airspace is considered Controlled Traffic Region (CTR), In the Slovak Republic mainly in area of Bratislava, Pieštany, Žilina, Sliač, Poprad, Prešov, Košice airports.
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CATEGORY B FLIGHT OPERATIONS
If an unmanned aircraft flight operation is conducted in manner other than those under Category A flight operations, in particular:
- At night if an unmanned aircraft is equipped with adequate lighting;
- In controlled airspace if unmanned aircraft flight operation is in coordination with relevant air traffic control unit;
- In distance from uninvolved persons other than distance conditions specified for Category A unmanned aircraft flight operation;
- By an unmanned aircraft with maximum take-off mass is more than 25 kg.
Conduct of Category B unmanned aircraft flight operation is dependent on authorization by the Transport Authority. Authorization by the Transport Authority is not required from holders of aerial work operator certificate.
An application for authorization and determination of conditions shall be sent by unmanned aircraft operator at least 30 days prior planned date of flight operation by the form:
– 
F390 – Application for authorization of Category B unmanned aircraft flight operations.
Attachment to application under the first sentence shall be also the risk analysis, created according to Procedure of the Transport Authority (14/2019) and shall include in particular:
a) Purpose of an unmanned aircraft flight operation,
b) Characteristics of unmanned aircraft flight operation,
c) Geographic characteristics of a planned location,
d) Threat level to property and health of persons on the ground that may be caused by an unmanned aircraft flight operation,
e) Class of airspace in location of unmanned aircraft flight operation,
f) Class, construction, performance and safety systems used by an unmanned aircraft,
g) Organizational and risk mitigation measures proposal for unmanned aircraft flight operation.
Additional conditions to conduct Category B unmanned aircraft flight operation are that an unmanned aircraft shall be insured for liability of damage caused by unmanned aircraft to the third parties, remote pilot is holder of remote pilot certificate and an unmanned aircraft is registered at the Transport Authority.
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COORDINATION IN CONTROLLED AIRSPACE UNDER CATEGORY B UNMANNED AIRCRAFT FLIGHT OPERATIONS
If remote pilot in Category B unmanned aircraft operations is planning to conduct an unmanned aircraft flight operation in controlled airspace in different manner than those specified in Subcategories A1, A2 and A3 unmanned aircraft flight operations, according to those flight operation in Control Traffic Region (CTR) it is only possible at horizontal distance of more than 3,7 km respectively 5,6 km and up to 30 m (100 ft) above ground level, an unmanned aircraft operator must meet all requirements of category B unmanned aircraft flight operations and shall:
- At least 24 hours prior of unmanned aircraft flight operation deliver by e-mail to relevant air traffic control unit an application for flight authorization of unmanned aircraft in controlled airspace;
- Remote pilot or other involved person in preparation of unmanned aircraft flight operation informs 15 minutes before estimated take-off time by telephone relevant air traffic control unit and request flight authorization for unmanned aircraft flight operation in controlled airspace;
- Remote pilot or other involved person in preparation of unmanned aircraft flight operation shall immediately inform by telephone relevant air traffic control unit immediately about flight operation interruptions, flight operation termination and other intentions regarding to unmanned aircraft flight operation;
- Remote pilot shall comply with the instructions to immediately terminate, interrupt or limit unmanned aircraft flight operation, in particular altitude, location and time by telephone from air traffic control unit if necessary;
- Remote pilot shall immediately inform about flight emergency situation if such a situation happens.
Applications for flight authorization with unmanned aircraft in controlled airspace:
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MODEL AIRCRAFT WITH MAXIMUM TAKE-OFF MASS EXCEEDING 25 KG
Model aircraft with maximum take-off mass more than 25 kg and less than 150 kg shall conduct flight operations during the day under condition that:
- It is in compliance with conditions specified for Subcategory A3 unmanned aircraft flight operations;
- Remote pilot is holder of remote pilot certificate issued by the Transport Authority or any equivalent document issued by a competent authority of another Member State of the European Union or a State Party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area;
- Model aircraft is registered at the Transport Authority or is in a similar manner registered in another Member State of the European Union or in a State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area;
- Model aircraft operator conduct and fulfils insurance contract for liability of damage caused by unmanned aircraft to the third parties.
In case that model aircraft (with more than 25 kg) flight operation is to be conducted under conditions other than those specified above, it is necessary to request the Transport Authority for authorization to perform such a flight operation.
