Apply for an operating license for unmanned aircraft (UAS) in the "special" operating category
Source: Zuständigkeitsfinder Schleswig-Holstein (Linie6Plus)
Service Description
In order to operate an unmanned aircraft (UAS) in the "special" operating category in Germany, you need an operating license. Depending on your place of residence or main place of business, you can apply for this from the Federal Aviation Office or your state aviation authority.
If you are registered as an operator of unmanned aircraft (UAS) with the German Federal Aviation Office (LBA) and wish to operate a UAS in the "special" operating category in Germany, you require a UAS operating permit. The authority to which you can apply for a UAS operating permit depends on the federal state in which you live. In the case of legal entities, i.e. companies, associations or organizations, the registered office is decisive. The LBA is responsible if your place of residence or main place of business is in one of the following federal states:
- Bavaria
- Berlin
- Brandenburg
- Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
- North Rhine-Westphalia
- Saarland
- Saxony
- Saxony-Anhalt
- Thuringia
If your place of residence or principal place of business is in another federal state, please contact the local state aviation authority. Legal entities that have a Light Unmanned Aircraft Operator Certificate (LUC) always apply to the LBA for their UAS operating permit, regardless of their principal place of business. In your application, you provide information including
- the operating area
- the risk assessment
- the operations manual
If you are applying for a UAS operating license for the first time, it is advisable to contact the competent authority in advance for a preliminary discussion. During this meeting, you can clarify questions about your UAS operation and the necessary application documents, among other things.
An operating license issued by the LBA is valid for 2 years.
As a UAS operator, in addition to the initial application, you can also
- extend an existing operating license,
- return it or
- make changes to the operating license.
Teaser
In order to operate an unmanned aircraft (UAS) in the "special" operating category in Germany, you need an operating license. Depending on your place of residence or main place of business, you can apply for this from the Federal Aviation Office or your state aviation authority.
Process flow
You can apply for a UAS operating license online or by post.
- Call up the online application on the federal portal verwaltung.bund.de. This will guide you step by step through the necessary information.
- Upload the required documents and submit the application. Alternatively, you can print out the completed online application and send it to the LBA by post together with the documents.
- The LBA will check your application.
-
You will receive
- a fee notice and
- an operating permit or
- a notice of refusal.
- You pay the fees.
Requirements
- You are registered with the LBA as a UAS operator.
-
Your UAS operation is assigned to the "special" operating category. This is the case,
- as soon as a condition of the "open" operating category is not met and
- none of the criteria of the "subject to approval" operating category apply.
Note: The conditions that apply to the "open" and "subject to certification" operating categories can be found in Article 4 and Article 6 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947.
- The planned flight of your UAS does not correspond to any of the standard scenarios.
Which documents are required?
- Online application
- Operating manual and referenced documents, e.g. list of staff, list of operating areas or list of forms
-
Risk assessment according to
- a Predefined Risk Assessment (PDRA) or
- a Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA)
- File with the coordinates of the operating area
for changes to an existing UAS operating license:
- Change request
- amended operations manual with any outsourced documents
- amended operating area
- amended risk assessment
if you are submitting one of the applications on behalf of another person, for example a minor:
- Power of attorney
If you are applying for the operating license by post, you will need the following for authentication purposes
-
for natural persons:
- identity card
- Passport or
- Residence permit, each in copy
-
for legal entities:
- Extract from the commercial or association register with
- copy of identity card or passport and
- Signature of an authorized representative
What are the fees?
Fee: 200,00 - 2000,00 EURPayment in advance: nohttps://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/luftkostv/anlage.htmlGebühr für Erteilung einer Betriebsgenehmigung
Fee: 17430,00 - 400,00 EURPayment in advance: nohttps://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/luftkostv/anlage.html
Levy: 50,00 - 500,00 EURPayment in advance: nohttps://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/luftkostv/anlage.html
What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?
There is no deadline for applying for an operating license.
Consultation period: 1 - 3 MonthsBeantragen Sie die Verlängerung einer bestehenden Betriebsgenehmigung frühestens 3 Monate und spätestens 1 Monat vor Ablauf der Betriebsgenehmigung
Objection deadline: 1 Month
Processing duration
Processing time: 2 - 24 WeeksDie Dauer ist abhängig davon, auf welchem Specific Assurance and Integrity Level (SAIL) Ihr UAS-Betrieb einzustufen ist.
Legal basis
- Regulation (EU) No. 2018/1139
- Articles 5, 12 and 18d Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947
- Items UAS.SPEC.030, UAS.SPEC.040 and UAS.SPEC.060 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947
- § Section 21b Air Traffic Regulations (LuftVO)
- § Section 2 (1) of the Aviation Administration Cost Ordinance (LuftkostV) and the Annex Schedule of Charges
Appeal
Contradiction
What else should I know?
There are no indications or special features.
Weiterführende Informationen
Author
Federal Office of Civil Aviation (LBA)
The text was automatically translated based on the German content.
- Intended for unloading - operating license for unmanned aircraft (UAS) of the "special" category Issue
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