The Ministry of Transport of Russia has proposed introducing a mandatory "external pilot" certificate for operators of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) who control drones from the ground. The draft order with amendments to the Federal Aviation Regulations has been prepared by the ministry and sent to relevant associations for discussion.
The UAS external pilot certificate will officially record the qualifications of specialists and take into account the type of controlled drone: airplane, airship, glider, rotorcraft, aircraft with a lift augmentation system, or free balloon. It is assumed that the new rules will come into force on March 1, 2026, and will be valid until September 1, 2031.
To obtain a certificate, the operator will need to undergo training at a certified aviation training center, confirm practical flight time on UAS and simulators, pass a theoretical exam, and have a higher technical or natural science education with at least one year of practical experience. To date, no training center has yet received approval for programs to train UAS pilots weighing more than 30 kg.
Experts note that the introduction of the certificate will help legalize the operation of heavy drones, which are currently allowed to fly only within the framework of experimental legal regimes ("regulatory sandboxes"). Also, certification will systematize the work of operators and facilitate their employment, confirming their qualifications and experience.
The degree of complexity of certification should depend on the type of drone: controlling a small video drone and piloting a cargo UAS are different levels of responsibility and skills
The introduction of UAS external pilot certificates creates transparent standards for the industry, increases flight safety and facilitates the search for qualified specialists for companies working with unmanned systems in Russia.
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