Contribution by the Österreichischer Aero Club (ÖAec), last updated on 12/12/2020

Registration, Marking and Proof of knowledge

On December 31, 2020, the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) comes into force. This also provides the basis for the requirements for model aircraft operations.

Austro Control GmbH is responsible for registration and proof of knowledge (E-mail: dronespace@austrocontrol.at, Phone-number: +43 51 703 7111 1)

The registration requirement

Every operator of an unmanned aircraft (including model aircraft pilots) who has his main residence in Austria, must register with Austro Control GmbH. (ACG). This will be possible from December 31, 2020 on the website www.dronespace.at. Costs are EUR 31.20.

In the course of registration (name, address, etc.), a policy number for liability insurance must also be entered. For ÖAeC members this is the insurance policy of Helvetia Versicherungs AG – policy number: 400 112 3142. Note that this number is only valid if the membership fee of the ÖAeC has been paid. The registration number is sent by email. It is different from the membership number of the ÖAeC. The minimum age for registration is 18 years. For younger pilots, the legal guardian (or another trusted person) must be registered as the operator. The registration is valid within the European Union for a period of 3 years. The registration confirmation and proof of insurance must be carried with the flight operations. The operator is responsible for the correctness of the registration information.

Marking of the model aircraft

All UAV (including model aircraft) of an operator must be marked with the registration number. The operator of the aircraft is free to decide how this requirement is executed.

Proof of knowledge

Every operator/pilot must be able to demonstrate minimum knowledge required for its operation. From the age of 16, a certificate of knowledge must therefore be obtained through www.dronespace.at. This requires answering 40 questions spread over 9 topics. The pilot must carry the certificate during flight operations. The test and certificate are free of charge. The certificate is valid for 5 years and must be refreshed afterwards. Persons under 16 years of age may only operate flight operations under the supervision of a person aged 16 or over who carries a valid certificate of knowledge.

Flight operations on Austrian model airfields from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022

For the 2-year transition period (ending on 1 January 2023), nothing will change in flight operations at our model airfields. The maximum altitude of 150m above ground continues to apply, with the exception of those model airfields that have a valid authorisation to exceed the altitude (to 300 to 500m).

Important: Outside of model airfields, the height restrictions of the open category apply, including a maximum height of 120m from the nearest point on the surface (and a maximum height of 120m above the pilot for gliders <10kgs in mountainous areas) applies from 1.1.2021.

Visiting Pilots

Visiting pilots that intend to fly their aircraft on the airfield of a club are recognised as temporary members of that club and may fly their plane under the same rules as members of that club (EU pilots must however be registered in the Member State where they are resident). Flights outside club airfields automatically fall under the open category and must comply with open category rules. Austro Control may develop a system for temporary registration in Austria for pilots who are not EU residents.