Drone under 250g – Is a mini-drone worth it?
Drones are becoming increasingly popular with hobby pilots of all ages. However, there are significant differences and features you should consider before buying one. We'll show you what's important if you want to buy and fly a drone under 250g.
Legal regulations for drones under 250 g and over
Since July 1, 2019, uniform regulations have been in effect throughout the EU governing the operation of both drones under 250g and other types of drones. These EU regulations were transposed into German law on December 31, 2021, and entered into force on June 15, 2021. In Germany, there is no single "drone law" regulating drone operation. Instead, corresponding amendments and adjustments have been made to the Air Traffic Act, the Air Traffic Ordinance, the Air Traffic Licensing Ordinance, and the Air Administration's Fee Ordinance.
Under current EU law, drones are classified into three categories depending on their weight, location, and purpose:
1. The open category
Drones in the open category pose the lowest risk. Depending on the class a drone falls into, certain operating conditions must be met. These are determined, among other things, by weight. Drones under 250g fall into the open category, meaning there are virtually no restrictions or minimum distances for their operation. However, drones with cameras require registration.
2. The specific category
Drones that fall into this special category must undergo a risk assessment by the relevant authority to obtain the necessary operating permit. The result of this risk assessment determines the requirements that must be met by the remote pilot of the drone in order to be allowed to fly it.
3. The certified category
In order to operate drones of the category requiring approval, in addition to the approval of the aircraft, a certificate from the operating company and a remote pilot license are also required.
What rules apply to a drone weighing less than 250g?
Due to its low weight and the resulting low risk, a drone weighing less than 250g is subject to only minimal regulations. Within the European Union, the following applies to operating a drone under 250g:
- An EU drone license is not required; however, registration is necessary if the drone has a camera.
- It is permitted to fly in the immediate vicinity of third parties.
- Drone insurance is legally required.
- Flying in cities and residential areas is permitted. However, regional regulations and any no-fly zones must be observed.
- The maximum horizontal speed for a drone under 250g is 19 meters per second.
- The maximum flight altitude of 120 meters must not be exceeded.
- The drone may only be flown outside of one's own line of sight if first-person view goggles are used.
Rules for drones under 250g in other countries
If you want to fly your drone (under 250g) in another EU country, the aforementioned regulations of the EU drone directive apply. But what if you want to take your drone on holiday to a country outside the EU?
In many countries, drones weighing less than 250g are considered toys and therefore do not need to be registered or licensed. Flying them also usually does not require a special drone pilot's license. This applies, for example, to Great Britain and the USA.
In some countries, you only need a special permit to fly a drone under 250g if it's equipped with a camera and you're using it to take photos or videos. It's best to check the regulations for flying drones under 250g in your chosen country before you travel there.
What you should look out for when buying a drone under 250g
To truly enjoy flying a drone under 250g, you should pay attention to the features of your desired drone before buying it. Despite their low weight, even drones under 250 grams offer a generous range of features, in many cases almost on par with those of larger models. These include, for example:
- All possible flight functions for individual flight maneuvers
- Camera with up to 4K resolution
- GPS support
- Long range for extended flight time
- Important safety features such as the return-to-home function when the battery is low or the signal is weak
However, with a drone under 250g, you'll have to do without some features that are almost standard in heavier models. This is the only way to comply with the low weight regulations and thus meet the applicable legal requirements. Drones under 250 grams therefore usually lack:
- Obstacle sensors and active obstacle avoidance
- Follow-Me function
- ActiveTrack and FocusTrack.
For whom is a drone under 250g worthwhile?
A drone under 250g is particularly interesting for beginners. Firstly, these devices are easy to operate and not as expensive to buy as a professional drone. Even in this weight class, you have a choice between camera drones and GPS drones. Besides entry-level models, there are also drones for more advanced users that don't exceed the 250-gram limit in terms of takeoff weight.
Especially if you travel a lot and want to use your drone in a variety of locations, a drone weighing less than 250g is ideal. Due to its low weight and small size, you can take it almost anywhere.
Buy drones under 250 grams at piecarte.com
At Piecarté , you can buy various mini-drones. The advantages of a lightweight drone under 250g lie primarily in the legal regulations governing its operation. For example, you don't need a drone pilot's license to fly such a mini-drone , and the regulations regarding flight zones and minimum distances are quite relaxed.
Another advantage of the low weight is a longer flight time compared to heavier models. With an additional battery as a useful accessory , the flight time can be quickly extended, allowing you to enjoy even more flying fun.
Do you have any further questions about our drones under 250g? Then please get in touch with us. Our expert team will be happy to advise you.
