What Are The New Drone Classes?

As part of UK and EASA drone regulations, a class system for drones is in place, ranging from 0 to 6.

These class marks are based on certain criteria, including, but not limited to, the weight of the aircraft - and they impact where you can fly your drone.

Under EASA, these marks are C0 to C6, while the UK has UK0 to UK6.

In the UK, until December 31, 2027, you can fly a C class aircraft as if it is the corresponding UK class, ie you can fly a C1-class drone as if it is a UK1 class drone.

After this period, any drone not retrofitted with a UK class mark is classed as legacy, and needs to fly based on weight restrictions.

The table below shows how class-marked drones can be flown in the UK.

Class MarkCategoryWhere you can flyUK0 / C0 (less than 250g)Open A1 Over PeopleUK1 / C1 (less than 900g)OpenA1 Over PeopleUK2 / C2 (less than 4kg)OpenA2 Near People with an A2 CofCA3 Far from People without an A2 CofCUK3 / C3 (less than 25kg)OpenA3 Far From PeopleUK4 / C4 (less than 25kg)OpenA3 Far From PeopleUK5 / C5 (less than 25kg)SpecificBased on the criteria within your Operational AuthorisationUK6 / C6 (less than 25kg)SpecificBased on the criteria within your Operational Authorisation

Read more about the drone class system and UK drone laws.