What is a LUC, and is it worthwhile for my company?

The LUC (Light UAS Operator Certificate) is an operator certification. Holders are permitted to self-authorise their drone operations within a defined framework instead of submitting an application to the authority for each project.

What this means in practice

Without a LUC, every operation in the specific category requires an operational authorisation, with the corresponding lead time. With a LUC, the assessment is transferred internally: The authority certifies your organisation once, and within the certified privileges, you decide for yourself whether a specific operation can be carried out. For companies with short-notice or frequently changing operations, this is the decisive time advantage.

A LUC is also valid throughout the EU and remains valid indefinitely as long as the requirements continue to be met.

Requirements

• Only available to legal entities – a sole proprietor cannot obtain a LUC.
• A verifiable safety management system: documented processes, risk management, internal audits and designated personnel.
• A maintained operations manual and an organisation that actually works in accordance with it.
• The willingness to maintain this permanently – a LUC is not a document, but an ongoing state.

Is it worthwhile?

Honestly: not for most companies. Establishing a safety management system is a project lasting several months and permanently ties up personnel. It only pays off when drone operations are a core business – with many pilots, multiple locations and continuously changing operating sites where waiting for authorisations costs real money.

Anyone who needs an authorisation two or three times a year is much better served by the FastFlight procedure or a generic operational authorisation.

Unsure what applies to your project? We can assess this with you – Book an appointment.