What kind of remote control aircraft requires certification?
In recent years, with the popularity of drones and remote-controlled aircraft, more and more people have begun to pay attention to whether they need to obtain a pilot license or related certificates. This article will combine the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days to provide you with a detailed analysis of which remote control aircraft require verification, and attach structured data for reference.
1. Classification and certification requirements of remote control aircraft

According to the regulations of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), the classification of remote-controlled aircraft (including drones) is mainly based on weight and purpose. The following are the types of remote control aircraft that require certification:
| Classification | weight | Purpose | Research requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| micro drone | ≤250g | entertainment, photography | No verification required |
| light drone | 250g~4kg | entertainment, business | Registration is required, and some require certification. |
| small drone | 4kg~25kg | commerce, agriculture | Need to be verified |
| Medium UAV | 25kg~150kg | Industry, scientific research | Need to be verified |
| large drone | ≥150kg | military, transportation | Need to be verified |
2. Hot topics: What situations must be verified?
According to hot discussions in the past 10 days, it is necessary to obtain a drone pilot license (CAAC license) under the following circumstances:
1.commercial use: Such as aerial photography, surveying and mapping, logistics, etc., regardless of the weight of the drone, verification is required.
2.Flight altitude ≥120 meters: Flights exceeding 120 meters in airspace require a certificate.
3.Flying in densely populated areas: A license is required to fly in cities, airports and other areas.
4.specific activities: Such as large-scale event security, emergency rescue, etc.
3. Certification process and fees
The following is the drone pilot license verification process and fee reference:
| steps | content | Cost (yuan) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Sign up for training | Choose a CAAC-certified training institution | 3000-8000 |
| 2. Theoretical study | Aviation regulations, flight principles, etc. | Included in training fee |
| 3. Practical training | Flight operations, emergency response | Included in training fee |
| 4. Examination | Theory + practical exam | 500-1000 |
| 5. Get a license | CAAC license issued upon passing | free |
4. Recent hot events
1."Black flight" incidents occur frequently: Incidents of unlicensed flights interfering with civil aviation have occurred in many places, triggering public discussion on the necessity of verification.
2.Solicitation of opinions on new regulations: The Civil Aviation Administration of China plans to further refine the classification management of drones, and the verification requirements may be adjusted in the future.
3.Increase in the number of examinations: The number of applicants for drone pilot licenses in 2023 will increase by 40% year-on-year, and commercial demand will drive the certification boom.
5. Summary
Whether a remote control aircraft needs to be certified mainly depends on its weight, purpose and flight environment. Micro drones used for recreational purposes usually do not need to be certified, but flying for commercial purposes or special scenarios must be certified. It is recommended that users understand the regulations in detail before flying to avoid the legal risks caused by "black flying".
In the future, with the popularization of drone technology, verification requirements may be further refined. Only by paying attention to policy trends and flying in compliance can you better enjoy the fun and convenience of remote control aircraft.
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