Free category screening tool
Which drone category am I actually in?
Work through the operation you actually intend to fly. The tool follows a fixed decision tree through the Open, Specific and Certified categories, then shows the route that best matches your answers. It takes about three minutes and runs entirely in your browser.
What it checks
Open A1, A2 and A3, the STS-01 and STS-02 routes, PDRA, likely full SORA and selected Certified-category triggers.
How it decides
A fixed progressive decision tree. There is no score, probability or hidden weighting. The same answers always produce the same route.
What stays private
Your selections remain in this page while it is open. There is no form, storage or submission, and no answer is sent to NorthSky.
Category is not location permission
A category result does not grant permission to fly at the location. Check the applicable UAS geographical zones, no-drone zones, airspace restrictions, landowner requirements and any separate flight permission before every operation.
Scope of NorthSky’s work
NorthSky provides operational risk decision support and advisory guidance. Outputs do not constitute regulatory certification, aerodrome licensing, compliance verification, or formal authority determinations.
Screen one intended operation
Answer for one aircraft, one operating profile and one planned task. If the operation changes, start again.
The calculation runs locally in your browser. No answers are stored or sent. See the tools privacy note.
Common questions
Does this result give me permission to fly at the location?
No. Category and location permission are separate questions. Check UAS geographical zones, no-drone zones, controlled airspace, aerodrome restrictions, temporary restrictions, landowner permission and any other local requirement before every operation.
Why does the tool ask about location first if it does not change the category?
Because a correct category result can still be unusable at a particular site. Keeping the location check visible prevents an Open or Specific result from being mistaken for permission to fly there.
What happens to a drone without a C-class label after 1 January 2024?
A drone placed on the market before 1 January 2024 without a class identification label can continue in Open A1 only when its maximum take-off mass is under 250 g, or in Open A3 when it is under 25 kg and the A3 conditions are met.
Can a C2 drone fly in A3 instead of A2?
Yes. A C2 drone may be operated in A2 when the A2 conditions are met, or in A3 when the A3 conditions are met. This tool checks A2 first and then offers the A3 branch when needed.
Is an STS result an operational authorisation?
No. An STS is a declaration route in the Specific category. The operator must meet every condition, use the required C5 or C6 aircraft, submit the declaration and wait for confirmation of receipt and completeness before operating.
What is the difference between a PDRA and SORA result?
A PDRA is a predefined risk assessment for a published operating profile, but normally still supports an application for operational authorisation. When no STS or PDRA covers the complete operation, an operation-specific assessment using SORA is the likely route.
Why can an operation over an assembly of people go to Specific instead of straight to Certified?
Open-category flight over assemblies of people is never allowed. Whether an operation outside Open requires a Specific authorisation or reaches a Certified-category trigger depends on the aircraft and risk characteristics. The tool separately triggers specialist review for the certified conditions it asks about.
Does the tool cover every national rule?
No. It screens the EASA category and route logic described in the cited sources. Registration, insurance, competence, geographical zones, security restrictions and national application procedures must still be checked for the state and site concerned.
Official sources
The decision tree is based on the current public guidance below. Always check the current pages before relying on a route.
- EASA – Operating a drone
- EASA – Drones UAS FAQs
- Civil Aviation Authority of Norway – Open category
- Civil Aviation Authority of Norway – Specific category
- Civil Aviation Authority of Norway – Applying for authorisation
Related
All NorthSky tools · SORA readiness screening · Request a review · Privacy notice