---
title: "Article 4 ‘Open’ category of UAS operations — Cover Regulation to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, UAS · Avioverse"
description: "Operations shall be classified as UAS operations in the ‘open’ category only where the following requirements are met:"
url: "https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/uas/cover-regulation-to-implementing-regulation-eu/powers-and-recitals/article-4"
---

# Article 4 ‘Open’ category of UAS operations

Cover Regulation to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 · Regulations (EU) 2019/947 and 2019/945 · EAR revision 29 Jun 2026

Official sources: [EASA Easy Access Rules (opens in a new tab)](https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/document-library/easy-access-rules/easy-access-rules-unmanned-aircraft-systems) · [EUR-Lex 2019/947 (opens in a new tab)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32019R0947) · [EUR-Lex 2019/945 (opens in a new tab)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32019R0945)

IR Implementing rule

## Article 4 ‘Open’ category of UAS operations

1\. Operations shall be classified as UAS operations in the ‘open’ category only where the following requirements are met:

(a) the UAS belongs to one of the classes set out in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 or is privately built or meets the conditions defined in Article 20;

(b) the [unmanned aircraft](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/unmanned-aircraft) has a [maximum take-off mass](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/maximum-take-off-mass) of less than 25 kg;

(c) the [remote pilot](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/remote-pilot) ensures that the unmanned aircraft is kept at a safe distance from people and that it is not flown over [assemblies of people](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/assemblies-of-people);

(d) the remote pilot keeps the unmanned aircraft in VLOS at all times except when flying in [follow-me mode](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/follow-me-mode) or when using an [unmanned aircraft observer](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/unmanned-aircraft-observer) as specified in Part A of the Annex;

(e) during flight, the unmanned aircraft is maintained within 120 metres from the closest point of the surface of the earth, except when overflying an obstacle, as specified in Part A of the Annex

(f) during flight, the unmanned aircraft does not carry dangerous goods and does not drop any material;

2\. UAS operations in the ‘open’ category shall be divided in three sub-categories in accordance with the requirements set out in Part A of the Annex.

IR · Article 4 — Regulations (EU) 2019/947 and 2019/945 · Regulation (EU) 2019/947 · UAS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 29 Jun 2026

[All rules in Powers and recitals](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/uas/cover-regulation-to-implementing-regulation-eu/powers-and-recitals)

Consolidated from the EASA Easy Access Rules (revision 29 Jun 2026, extracted 2 Nov 2026) for convenience. Not the official publication — verify against the Official Journal of the European Union and the EASA publications before operational use.