Operations in the ‘open’ category | Traficom
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Transport and Communications Agency

Operations in the ‘open’ category

Those using drones with a mass exceeding 250 g or drones equipped with a camera must register as a drone operator, familiarise themselves with drone operation and in most cases pass an examination regardless of whether they use the drone for hobby or professional purposes. Operating in the ‘open’ category does not, however, require a separate operational authorisation.

Find out where and on what conditions you can fly a drone after 1 January 2024

The following general requirements must be met when operating in the open category

  • The maximum attainable height above ground or sea level must not exceed 120 metres
  • The operation must be carried out on visual line of sight (VLOS)
  • During flight, the unmanned aircraft shall not carry dangerous goods or drop items
  • Unmanned aircraft systems must be kept at a safe distance from people and they must not be flown above assemblies of people
  • The operation must take the prohibited, restricted and danger areas of aviation as well as UAS geographical zones into account
  • More information on registration
  • C-Class marking (notice exceptions):
Kuva dronejen luokituksista C0, C1, C2, C3, C4

Operation sub-categories A1–A3

UAS operations in the ‘open’ category shall be divided into three sub-categories: A1–A3. You can find further information on the rules of each sub-category, boundary conditions and restrictions under the headings below.

Sub-categoryA1
Drone C-Class markingC0, C1
Drone maximum mass

C0: less than 250 g

C1: less than 900 g

Limitations

C0: Flights are permitted in densely populated areas above individual people, but not over assemblies of people.

C1: No flight expected over uninvolved people (if it happens, overflight should be minimised). No flight over assemblies of people.

UAS geographical zones and other prohibited, restricted and danger areas of aviation must be taken into account.

Examination

C0: No training/examination requirement, It is recommended to complete the online theory exam.

C1: A1/A3 online theory exam

Operator registration

Mandatory:

  • if drone weighing 250 g or more

    or

  • if drone weighing less than 250 g and has a camera or another sensor capable of recording personal data, unless it is defined as a toy (pursuant to the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC).
Age limit

The operator must be 18 years or older.

The remote pilot in Finland must be 12 years or older. 

Exceptions

Drones weighing less than 250 g may be operated in accordance with the terms in sub-category ‘Open A1’ after 1 January 2024, even if they do not bear the class C0 marking 

  • if they are placed on the market before 1 January 2024

    or 

  • if they are privately built and traveling at a maximum speed of 19 m/s. 

The remote pilot must familiarise themself with the manual of the device, but passing the online examination is not compulsory, albeit recommended. 

Sub-categoryA2
Drone C-Class markingC2
Drone maximum massLess than 4 kg
Limitations

Flights are permitted in densely populated areas at safe distances (30 m, or 5 m with an active low speed mode function) from uninvolved people.

UAS geographical zones and other prohibited, restricted and danger areas of aviation must be taken into account.

ExaminationA1/A3 online theory exam + additional A2 theoretical knowledge examination
Operator registration

Mandatory:

  • if drone weighing 250 g or more

    or

  • if drone weighing less than 250 g and has a camera or another sensor capable of recording personal data, unless it is defined as a toy (pursuant to the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC).
Age limit

The operator must be 18 years or older.

The remote pilot in Finland must be 12 years or older. 

Sub-categoryA3
Drone C-Class markingC2, C3, C4
Drone maximum massLess than 25 kg
Limitations

Flights are permitted in sparsely populated areas and far away from people and settlements

  • distance of at least 150 m from residential, commercial, industrial or recreational areas.

The UAS operator shall ensure, that all involved persons present in the area of the operation have been informed of the risks and have explicitly agreed to participate

  • the distance to persons passing the area of the operation who are not involved, must be at least 30 m, but no less than the height (‘1:1 rule’, i.e. if the UA is flying at a height of 30 m, the distance of the UA from the uninvolved person should be at least 30 m) or the distance travelled by the device in 2 seconds at the maximum speed.

UAS geographical zones and other prohibited, restricted and danger areas of aviation must be taken into account.

ExaminationA1/A3 online theory exam
Operator registration

Mandatory:

  • if drone weighing 250 g or more

    or

  • if drone weighing less than 250 g and has a camera or another sensor capable of recording personal data, unless it is defined as a toy (pursuant to the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC).
Age limit

The operator must be 18 years or older.

The remote pilot in Finland must be 12 years or older.

Exceptions

Drones weighing less than 25 kg may be operated in accordance with the terms in sub-category ‘Open A3’ after 1 January 2024, even if they do not bear the class C2, C3 or C4 marking 

  • if they are placed on the market before 1 January 2024

    or 

  • if they are privately built. 

The remote pilot must pass the online A1/A3-examination.

CE marking

C0

C1

C2

C3

C4

Weight

less than 250 g

less than 900 g

less than 4 kg

less than 25kg

less than 25kg

Speed

less than 19 m/s

less than 19 m/s

-

-

-

Remote identification

-

yes

yes

yes

-

Airspace warning alerts (geo-awareness function)

-

yes

yes

yes

-

‘Return to home’ function

-

yes

yesyes

-

Flight altitude limiter

yes

yesyesyes

-

Auto pilot

yesyesyesyes

prohibited

 

Class C0, C1 and C2 drones may be flown in densely populated areas in accordance with the restrictions specified in the drone regulation. Class C3 and C4 drones may only be flown in sparsely populated areas.

All classes contain additional more specific technical specifications, but the above is a presentation of the greatest differences between the classes.

You can find the precise requirements in the Annex to the Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945.

Model aircraft clubs may apply for an authorisation that will allow them to deviate from the ‘open’ category requirements. In addition to this, UAS geographical zones allowing more relaxed rules than those of the ‘open’ category, in terms of flight altitude, for example, have been set up to make club activities possible.

Despite the transition period, model aircraft club members must register according to the same rules as other drone users. Click here for more information and registration instructions.

Operations subject to authorisation in the ‘specific’ category

Market legislation and drone radio equipment

The radio and telecommand equipment of drones (including remote-controlled aircraft and model aircraft) must comply with requirements. European regulations provide that radio equipment must bear an EU declaration of conformity and a CE marking. The regulations on wireless devices and their use vary from country to country and it is possible that devices sold in foreign online stores generate interference in Finland, for instance. Devices should not interfere with other radio equipment when their frequencies and radiated power are correct. Sellers, importers and manufacturers operating within the EU must ensure that their devices meet the appropriate requirements.

See Traficom's website for information on the use of frequencies and tips for purchasing wireless devices.

Drones and remotely piloted aircraft (UAS/RPAS) - frequencies and radio licencesPurchase and use of wireless devices
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