The Federal Office of Civil Aviation, briefly referred to as FOCA, is the Swiss organization that oversees and regulates the country's civil aviation sector.
In the heart of Europe, Switzerland's Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) is making waves in the drone industry. As the national aviation authority, FOCA plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safe integration of drones into Swiss airspace.
FOCA covers a wide range of civil aviation activities, from commercial airline safety to the regulation of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). In the drone sector, FOCA manages operator certifications, flight authorizations, airspace integration, and compliance with environmental and safety rules.
Commercial drone operators in Switzerland must follow strict guidelines to legally conduct flights, especially for advanced operations such as Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) or flying near people.
The first step for commercial operators is registration with FOCA on the dLIS platform. This requires providing contact details, identification, and liability insurance information. Operators receive a UAS operator registration number, which must be visibly marked on their drone before flight.
Before flying under standard scenarios, operators must submit operational declarations to FOCA. These declarations must meet specific requirements laid out in the EU drone regulations and Swiss operational manuals. FOCA reviews these submissions and issues a Confirmation of Receipt and Completeness (CoRC), valid for 2 years.
Switzerland aligns its drone laws with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) framework, but enforces registration and certification through FOCA. Operators from EASA member states retain their certifications, but others must register separately with FOCA before flying in Switzerland and carry proof of insurance.
For advanced operations, such as BVLOS, commercial operators must obtain specific authorizations from FOCA. This involves submitting risk assessments and safety protocols. FOCA certifies pilots and validates the airworthiness of the drones for the intended commercial use.
Operators must comply with regulations concerning safety, airspace management, risk mitigation, and operational conduct as stipulated by FOCA. They must maintain up-to-date manuals, emergency plans, and adhere to Swiss and international aviation safety standards.
FOCA's balanced approach between regulation and innovation has helped position Switzerland as a global leader in commercial drone integration. The office collaborates with research institutions, startups, and aerospace companies to test new drone technologies.
As drones become more integrated into Swiss airspace, FOCA plays a key role in ensuring safe coexistence with manned aircraft. This is achieved through close collaboration with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to align Swiss drone regulations with European standards.
Innovators are also supported by FOCA, which enables controlled testing and integration of new drone technologies within Swiss airspace through pilot programs and controlled test corridors.
FOCA operates under the Swiss Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy, and Communications (DETEC). This strategic positioning allows FOCA to contribute to the growth of Switzerland's drone ecosystem while ensuring the safety and security of its skies.
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