The Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) is inviting comments on a draft regulation [in Italian] for the operation of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS).
According to the draft regulation, UAS operators should register on the D-Flight portal dedicated to the provision of services, registration, declaration, geo-awareness, identification and information on geographical areas for drone operators.
To conduct operations in the OPEN A1/A3 subcategory it will be necessary to possess a proof of completion of online training certificate, obtained through the ENAC portal or issued by another aviation authority of a European Union Aviation Safety Agency member country. For the conduct of operations in the OPEN A2 subcategory, the issuance of a remote pilot competence certificate from ENAC is required. Pilots flying UAS in operations in the specific category must meet the requirements of competence established in the separate operational authorisation issued by ENAC. These skills can be demonstrated through the possession of certificates or by attending courses at ENAC-recognised entities.
Remote pilot certificates will be valid for five years and can be suspended by ENAC for a period varying from 1 to 12 months. Revocation will occur in cases where UAS operators fail to comply with applicable regulations.
Pilots who carry out flight activities in the specific category are required to record flight data in a log book. The use of the logbook is optional for the open category.
For operations in the specific category with SAIL greater than or equal to V, a flight permit must be obtained. The permit to fly specifies the conditions and limitations applicable to operations, including limitations relating to the types of areas. The operator must present to ENAC an application for issuing a flight permit accompanied by a risk analysis to demonstrate that the operations to be carried out guarantee an acceptable level of safety. The flying permit is valid for a maximum of three years.
According to the draft regulation, authorisation for carrying out operations with SAIL greater than or equal to V is issued to operators “who demonstrate a technical and operational organisation suitable for the activity that intends to carry out and to the size and type of the fleet”. In addition, the pilots employed by the operator must possess the qualifications prescribed for the specific activity, and a technical manager for the management of operations, airworthiness and training must have been appointed. The UAS to be used should have valid flight permits and an operations manual, including instructions on airworthiness and emergencies, must be in place. Further, the operator must prepare a UAS maintenance programme based on the instructions of the manufacturer and on the type of specific operations to be carried out, to ensure the continued airworthiness of the system. The operator should also implement a system for recording data relating to flight hours, significant events for safety, maintenance and component replacement.
The draft regulation states that all UAS operators who carry out operations in a specific and certified category are subject to continuous surveillance and inspection checks by ENAC.
In terms of security, UAS operators will be required to protect their systems to prevent illicit acts and intentional interference of the radio link during operations.
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