EASA Specific Category: STS-01 vs. STS-02 Operational Boundaries
A complete breakdown of VLOS and BVLOS requirements under European aviation law.
(VIDEO) STS-01 vs STS-02 : The Line Between VLOS and BVLOS
Hardware & Class Specifications
To safely execute missions under the EASA Specific category, operators must align their drone hardware with exact regulatory standards. STS-01 operations mandate the use of a drone meeting C5 class requirements, designed strictly for Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) flights in populated urban environments. Conversely, STS-02 expands your operational footprint Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) into sparsely populated areas, necessitating specialized C6 class requirements.
Risk Mitigation & SORA Methodology
Commanding high-risk operational profiles requires more than just piloting skills; it demands comprehensive threat neutralization. Both standard scenarios require a foundational understanding of the SORA methodology (Specific Operations Risk Assessment) to proactively evaluate airspace hazards. Furthermore, remote pilots must establish robust Emergency Response Plans (ERP) to manage critical in-flight failures, ensuring total ground and air risk mitigations, including calculated responses for fly-aways and C2 link loss.
The Operational Comparison Matrix
| Operational Parameter | STS-01 | STS-02 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Flight Mode | VLOS (Visual Line of Sight) | BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) |
| Operational Environment | Populated environments (urban/controlled) | Sparsely populated environments |
| Required UAS Class | C5 class requirements | C6 class requirements |
| Maximum Altitude | 120 meters (from the closest point of the earth) | 120 meters (from the closest point of the earth) |
| Controlled Ground Area | Mandatory active control of the ground risk area | Mandatory active control of the ground risk area |
| Crew Requirements | Remote Pilot | Remote Pilot + Airspace Observers (Multi-crew coordination) |
| Mandatory Safety Systems | Flight Termination System (FTS) & Parachute Recovery System (PRS) | Flight Termination System (FTS) |
Master the EASA Specific Category
Download the high-resolution, single-page PDF matrix for your offline mission planning and regulatory compliance.
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