School drone project

Overview

Drones in schools are a growing STEM education trend. Drone projects teach physics, mathematics, engineering and programming principles in a practical context. EU countries are increasingly integrating drone projects into general education curricula.

However, a school drone project does not exempt participants from regulatory obligations. Even in a learning environment, outdoor flights must comply with EASA requirements.

Rules

The same EASA requirements apply to school drone flights outdoors as to any other flight. The instructor or responsible teacher must hold a valid A1/A3 (or higher) certificate.

Flights within school grounds are often in residential or urban zones — check geo-zones at utm.ans.lt. Some schools may be within controlled airspace zones.

Licence

Recommended approach for schools: 1) designate a licensed instructor, 2) use sub-250g drones where possible (lower regulatory requirements), 3) prepare a safety plan with parent notification.

Students who reach the required age can sit the A1/A3 test in their own name. This is strong motivation and a concrete demonstration of competency, valued in higher education applications.

Next step

Schools planning a drone programme should contact TKA for requirements and best practices. Organise a consultation or workshop with a licensed instructor before starting the programme.

School drone programme resources are available at /blog/drone-courses-for-schools-eu. The A2STS platform is also suitable for students ready to prepare for individual certification.

Frequently asked questions

Must a teacher hold a licence to run drone lessons?

Yes, if flights are conducted outdoors with aircraft subject to registration requirements. The instructor must hold a valid A1/A3 (minimum) certificate.

Are indoor mini drones unregulated?

EASA regulations primarily apply to outdoor flights. Indoor flights with very small drones generally fall outside the EASA regulatory scope, but safety principles still apply.