The rules of drone flying

How and under what conditions you can legally fly your drone, registration, certificates.

In the following, we would like to help you take the first steps with the proper and safe use of a drone and its conditions, from the moment you get your first drone. We summarize the most important things to do and know so that you no longer have to delve into the regulations. (The basic concepts and regulations related to unmanned aerial vehicles are contained in the COMMISSION Regulation (EU) 2019/947 on the rules and procedures for operations with unmanned aerial vehicles and Act XCVII of 1995 on air transport.)

The regulations currently in force distinguish between three categories: open, special and permit-required categories. Most UA (Unmanned Aircraft) users will fall into this category, so the relevant rules are explained in this article.

Open category
The "open" category is divided into three subcategories: A1, A2, A3. The following apply to us:
- the maximum take-off mass (MTOM) of the UA must be below 25 kg,
- In subcategory A2, the drone can be flown at a specified safe distance from people,
- we cannot fly the drone over crowds of people,
- we can move a maximum of 120 meters away from the nearest point on the earth's surface (except in the case of flying over an obstacle for reasons specified in the law),
- the remote pilot must be able to see the unmanned aircraft during the entire operation (except for tracking mode and/or in the evening when an unmanned aircraft observer is used),
- you may not transport dangerous goods or scatter any material.

It is the responsibility of the remote pilot
Knowledge of the system of rules and compliance with them for safe operation. He knows the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) and has the necessary certifications. He can fly the drone, he has the right skills.

Do not fly near people without certification, keep the drone within sight, and do not transport hazardous materials.

It is very important to strive for the safety of external persons, ourselves, those participating in air transport, the infrastructure and the environment, so we should fly as circumspectly as possible. The control is in the hands of the remote pilot, and therefore also the responsibility.

In order to determine the rules that apply to us, it is important to identify which subcategory our activity as a user belongs to, and what type of training we must participate in.



There is a transition period until December 31, 2023. The drones currently in circulation do not yet have a class classification, so they are classified as A1, A2, A3 according to the table below:



The table doesn't mention it, but there is a so-called 'game' category. This category includes unmanned aerial vehicles with a maximum take-off weight of less than 120 grams, not equipped with a data recorder and capable of a maximum distance of 100 meters. Here, there is no need to register the drone and the operator, you don't need to take an exam and you don't need to apply for occasional airspace.

If your drone does not meet the above-mentioned 'game' category conditions, registration is mandatory.

Once your drone has been identified by subcategory, you must take the following steps in order to operate your drone properly:

1. Drone registration (individual or legal entity) – first step, the insurance company asks for the identification number received here
- UAS registration in the case of a natural person
- UAS registration in the case of a legal entity

We have the option of submitting the forms by post or e-paper (via the customer portal). We must send it by post to the following address:

Ministry of Innovation and Technology
Aviation Supervisory Authority Department
1440 Budapest, Pf. 1.

In the case of submission through the client portal, we must follow the following steps:
- Login
- Selection of topic group: "Authority procedures related to air transport"
- Select case type: "Issuance of licenses entitling to drive an unmanned aerial vehicle"
- Filling in the other sections of the form
Registration of drone or operator: HUF 2,000.
Notification of changes in the data of the drone owner, in the data of the operator's register: HUF 2,000.
Deletion from the register: HUF 1,000.
Issuing a certificate of registration: HUF 4,090.

Payment options: by bank transfer to the account number 10032000 00290713 38100004 maintained by the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, indicating the Customer's name and "UAS 591 RE" in the notice
In person, with cash at the customer service (2220 Vecsés, Lincoln út 1. Quadrum Office Building, customer reception times: Monday - Thursday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.)

2. Taking out liability insurance *
Insurers from whom you can request a quote:
- Groupama Biztosító (partner of the National Association of Drone Pilots)
- UNIQUA
- Allianz (business only)
- Generali Hungary (Generali MyDrone)
Insurance is not mandatory for drones that do not have a take-off weight of 250 grams, but it is recommended

3. Registration of an operator
- Registration of UAS operator in the case of a natural person
- Registration of UAS operator in the case of a legal entity
the policy number of the liability insurance must be written on this form, this means that when we submit this form, we must already have a policy number.

4. Training, exam (A1/A2/A3)
Mydroneschool provides support for topics A1/A3 and A2 preparation, for which the following links will help you:
- Free consultation
- A1/A3 exam preparation consultation
- A2 supplementary exam preparatory training

Application for the official exam: KTI Nonprofit Kft.

A1/A3 exam fee: HUF 4,600 (KTI Közlekedestudományi Intézet Nonprofit Kft. 11711003 21467231). The training is free of charge.

KAV Közlekedesi Alkalmassági és Vizsgaközpont Nonprofit Kft. organizes and conducts the exams. A certificate of competence is issued. The exam regulations are available and can be downloaded. The list of exam locations has been published.

5. Mandatory mobile applications
Two applications are required for registration:
- GoodID: identification takes place here. You have to upload e.g. both sides of the identity card. GoodID page.
- MyDroneSpace: You must always use the application, even if you have an occasional airspace permit even within a residential area! Every time before taking off, you have to select: the operational category, the purpose of the flight, the affected area, the flight altitude, the duration of the flight, and the start of the flight. Don't worry, all this can be done very quickly thanks to the user-friendly interface.
After entering the data, you must wait for HungaroContol's approval for the flight. As a rule, we can only take off after approval.
This application will also help you to find out about current airspace information and restrictions. You can read more details and useful advice on the MydroneSpace website .



*It is not mandatory to use the application if the operation is carried out in a closed space and this has been authorized by the owner/user of the property.

6. Occasional request for airspace
In the case of a residential area, it is always mandatory to request it.

Where is the form available?
On the website of the State Aviation Department of the Ministry of National Defense

- General case airspace request (document name: HMEIR_HMALF_02)
- Simplified ad hoc airspace request (document name: HMEIR_HMALF_03)
Important! The purpose of a UAS operation can be requested in the case of an operation carried out in order to carry out the task of a state body
- Deficiency compensation for occasional airspace requests (document name: HMEIR_HMALF_04
- Cancellation of occasional air space request HMEIR_HMALF_05
- It is possible to submit the application using the ÁNYK framework filling program. Related links: Installing the ÁNYK form filling program . (Through this, we can submit the case-by-case airspace request). To install the ÁNYK program, the Java framework application is available here .
- You can apply for 7-day airspace on a case-by-case basis
- If possible, through a customer portal
- The authority's procedure is free of charge, and no administrative service fee is required. Other fees and additional costs may arise, such as the administrative service fee payable for the professional procedure of the aviation authority. HUF 9,000
- The application for the designation of ad hoc airspace, its attachments and proof of payment of the ad hoc airspace fee must be sent to the military aviation office, i.e. the State Aviation Department of the Ministry of Defense (HM ÁLF) at least 30 days before the planned use. If we submit the application unreasonably early, it may be rejected.
- The amount of the administrative service fee: HUF 9,000.
- The fee must be paid before the start of the procedure for the designation of the ad hoc airspace
Make a certified payment to the account number MÁK 10032000-00290713-38100004 of the Hungarian State Treasury of the Ministry of Innovation and Technology. During the payment, the notice must include the name of the applicant and the fact that it is from a professional authority
proceedings.
- The document certifying the payment of the administrative service fee for the specialized authority procedure must be attached to the application to be submitted to the Ministry of National Defence, the specialized authority procedure cannot be conducted without payment of the administrative service fee.

The prices published on the site are 01.03.2022. were indicated based on the prices in effect on

What changes are expected?
After January 1, 2024, aircraft currently in use without a class classification will only be allowed to fly in subcategories A1 and A3 and no longer in A2.
UA without a class classification in subcategory A1 may only perform operations if its maximum take-off weight is less than 250 grams. UA weighing 250 grams or more (but lighter than 25 kg) are relegated to the A3 subcategory.
After January 1, 2024, in order to determine which (A1, A2, A3) subcategory your drone belongs to, you need to know the class classification C0, C1, C2, or C4.