The DGAC published v2 of the Open Category guide in March 2026. While the update is welcome, the document still contains significant errors and inaccuracies.

2026 Open Category Guide: DGAC Update

The Directorate of Civil Aviation Safety (DSAC) has just released version Ed 2 v1.0 of the Open Category Guide, dated December 31, 2025, but made available online on March 6, 2026. This document, which has been expected for several months, was intended to incorporate the changes introduced by the decree of December 23, 2025, modifying the 2020 "Airspace" decree. While the effort is commendable, the result, unfortunately, leaves much to be desired.

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An Update Made Necessary by the December 2025 Decree

Since January 1, 2026, the regulatory landscape for drones in France has changed profoundly. The decree of December 23, 2025, introduced a major shift: professional remote pilots can now operate in the Open category over public spaces in urban areas, subject to a prefectural declaration made 10 working days in advance (up from 5 days previously). This is a minor revolution for the industry, which previously had to rely on the S3 scenario—now replaced by the European STS-01 framework—for these types of missions.

The update to the guide was therefore essential to reflect this new reality. The DSAC clearly states this on the document's cover, mentioning "simplified leisure and professional uses." However, this is precisely where the problem lies.

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Factual Errors Undermining the Guide's Credibility

On page 37, the guide claims that it is necessary to declare a flight to the prefecture for any professional activity in an urban area. However, the decree of December 23, 2025, only requires this declaration for flights in populated areas—a concept distinct from an urban area in regulatory terms. This confusion between two fundamental concepts of aviation law is particularly concerning in an official document intended to simplify regulations.

"The aircraft shall not operate over public space in an urban area, except within the framework of the professional activity of its operator." — Decree of December 23, 2025, Art. 5

On page 14, the summary table for subcategories is misleading on several points. It indicates that overflying uninvolved people in subcategory A1 with a C0 drone or one weighing less than 250 grams is merely "tolerated," whereas European regulations explicitly authorize it. It also mentions that A1/A3 training is mandatory for C0 drones and devices under 250 grams, which is incorrect: this training is only required above 250 grams. Finally, drones without a class identification label placed on the market before January 1, 2024, and weighing less than 250 grams are simply omitted from the table.

On page 20, another inaccuracy concerns Class C1 drones with a mass of less than 800 grams. The guide asserts that they must be registered due to the French electronic identification requirement. In reality, these drones broadcast a European Direct Remote ID, not an electronic signal in the French sense. These two systems are not equivalent, and C1 drones under 800 grams are therefore not subject to the registration requirement.

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Inherited Inaccuracies and Obsolete References

Perhaps most surprising is that the majority of these errors are not new. They were already present in previous versions of the guide, had been reported and documented by regulatory enthusiasts, and had been communicated to the administration for several months, if not years. Their persistence in this new version raises questions about the DSAC's internal review and validation processes.

Among other notable approximations, the guide systematically uses the phrasing "120 meters in height" to designate the maximum flight altitude, whereas European regulations specifically speak of "less than 120 meters from the nearest point of the surface of the Earth"—a technical nuance that is important in hilly or mountainous terrain. Furthermore, the guide still refers to Géoportail for consulting flight zones, even though this service has been replaced by cartes.gouv.fr.

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What This Guide Still Offers

It would be unfair to only focus on the document's flaws. The Open Category Guide remains a valuable resource for anyone wishing to understand the regulatory framework applicable to drones in France, which results from a complex layering of European and national texts. It is essential reading before any drone purchase or operation, and its update—however imperfect—was necessary.

The explicit mention of professional uses in urban areas, the clarification of the role of the prefectural declaration, and the inclusion of the December 23, 2025 decree are real steps forward. However, a document validated by the Drone Program Director and published under the authority of the DSAC must be beyond reproach. Remote pilots—both professional and hobbyist—deserve accurate, consistent, and up-to-date information.

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Conclusion: Vigilance Recommended

In light of these inaccuracies, caution is advised. Do not rely blindly on the official guide to plan your missions: always cross-reference information with the reference regulatory texts, notably the decree of December 23, 2025 available on Légifrance, and consult recognized specialized sources. If you are a professional remote pilot, ensure you clearly distinguish between the concepts of urban area and populated area, which do not have the same legal weight and determine your declaration obligations. Drone regulations evolve quickly: stay informed.

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Sources: Open Category Guide — version ed.2 V1.0 · Légifrance — Decree of December 23, 2025 ·