Are you flying a drone? Check the rules, the troubles are different

Drone flights are popular entertainment, to which we return especially in better weather. When we decide to buy a small aircraft, we may not know that its user has considerable duties. The recipes are worth knowing to fly safely for yourself and others.

The drone is one of the most interesting choices for a gift or just spending free time. The device can be controlled like a car, and if it has a camera installed, you can also record a video or take a picture from a bird's eye view. The growing popularity of drones means that more and more such equipment appears in space, but not everyone is aware that its possession imposes a number of obligations on the user.

How much does a drone cost?

Drone prices start from several hundred zlotys And they depend not only on the mass, but also on its brand, class and technical specifications. Licensed, professional devices cost up to several thousand zlotys, but they require registration and appropriate permissions.

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In accordance with applicable EU regulations Each drone should be given class from C0 to C6which determines its mass, pilot's rights and the allowed range of flights.

If the drone has no class, you can still fly it, but only from a distance from people and buildings (open category A3).

Where can you fly a drone?

According to aviation law, in relation to unmanned aerial vehicles, which are drones, apply 3 Flight categories: Open, special and certifiedwith the most in the first of them. Category Open means low -risk flights, in sight of the operator and at an altitude of up to 120 m, covering devices with a start mass up to 25 kg. It is divided into three subcategories:

• A1 – It is allowed flight over peoplebut not over people's gatherings; We include C0 and C1 class drones.
• A2 – An either over the persons or over the assemblies is not allowedwith the minimum distance from people is 30 m; It includes C2 class drones.
• A3 – a flight over people or assemblies is not allowed, the minimum distance from housing, utility, industrial or recreational areas is 150 m; We include C0 class drones for C4.

The regulations also indicate that the Polish Air Navigation Agency may designate zones in which drones flights will be excluded or limited. These include city centers, airports, national parks and military facilities. The new rules also provide that the services will be able to take control of the drone or even destroy it if the equipment pose a threat to health or protected objects.

Registration and training for operators required

As a rule, A drone in the open category can be a person who is at least 14 years old. The rule does not apply to flying devices in the A1 category, which are qualified as toys (i.e. intended for children and adolescents under 14 years of age) and drones weighing below 250 g constructed for their own use. Anyone who flies with a drone equipped with a camera or one of 250 g is subject to compulsory registration. It can be made at drony.gov.pl – we will then get the operator's number, which should be stuck on any piloted drone.

In the case of class C1 drones (up to 900 g), additional A1/A3 permissions are requiredwhich can be obtained for free after passing e-training. The service of heavier C2 drones, which cannot be lasted over people or assemblies, involves passing the A2 subcategory course and, according to the exam in entities set by the Civil Aviation Office.

After obtaining the necessary permissions and the drone marking with the operator number Each flight should be reported in the Drontower applicationavailable in the Google Play and AppStore store. The software allows you to quickly enter the necessary data, check the weather conditions and geographical zones, and during the flight sends alerts for the operator.

Mandatory liability for pilots from November

Last The amendment to aviation law imposes on drone operators a mass of 250 g to 20 kg the obligation to have civil liability insurancewhich is to help in the efficient resolution of disputes in the event of accidents. The policy will include not equipment, but a pilot, and relate to damage caused inadvertently. Requirement to have liability insurance will enter into force on November 13, 2025.and his lack will be subject to a fine for the operator.

Can the drone be insured?

The drone costs up to several thousand zlotys, and its design means that in the event of a random event it can easily be damaged. On the market we will not find specialized insurance of the equipment itself, but if it is located in a residential building, as a rule, it should be covered by real estate in the part regarding home movable property. Detailed rules should be checked in the GTC, because they may vary depending on the insurer.

The situation is different if we are the drone operator and we want to protect ourselves from causing an accident during a flight. Here we can use OC in private life (both separately and in the property policies), which protects from liability for damage caused inadvertently. Unfortunately, insurance companies differently approach the issue of aircraft service such as drones and it happens that they exclude them from their responsibility.

The dedicated policy for drone operators has Compensa in its offer. OC of the pilot can be included here for up to 400 thousand. PLN, unless the weight of the device does not exceed 25 kg. The scope of insurance is recreational and commercial flights, but also competitions or shows; It includes both damage to property and people.

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