The European Union stands out as one of the most attractive and demanding markets for drone manufacturers. Since the implementation of Regulations (EU) 2019/945 and 2019/947, the rules of the game have changed: now, for an operator to fly under the standard scenarios STS-01 and STS-02, the drone must carry a class C5 or C6 marking.
This poses a challenge for manufacturers and integrators, as meeting these requirements often involves redesigning the platform, investing in costly certifications, and delaying market entry.
However, there is an alternative to achieve compliance without rebuilding your drone from scratch.
Cracking the European Drone Market
What Are EASA Standard Scenarios STS-01 and STS-02?
Standard Scenarios (STS) are predefined operational frameworks created by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for the Specific category. They allow drone operators to fly in certain conditions without completing a full SORA risk assessment, significantly reducing administrative complexity.
STS-01 → VLOS (Visual Line of Sight) operations in controlled environments, urban or rural.
STS-02 → BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operations in sparsely populated areas, with air observers if needed.
Why operators prefer STS
Less bureaucracy → only a declaration is needed, no full SORA study.
Clear technical requirements → already defined by EASA.
EU-wide validity → operate in any member state under the same rules.
Lower operational costs → less time and money spent on compliance paperwork.
The Compliance Challenge for Drone Manufacturers
To qualify for STS-01 or STS-02 operations, drones must meet the technical specifications for C5 or C6 under EU Regulation 2019/945. These include:
Mandatory physical and safety features.
Altitude and distance limitation systems.
Geo-awareness and geofencing functionality.
Comprehensive manuals and documentation.
This often forces manufacturers to undertake:
Expensive hardware redesigns.
Complex software integrations.
Lengthy EU drone certification processes that can delay product launches by months.
PrimeCor Zero: C5 and C6 Compliance Without Redesign
PrimeCor Zero is a unique solution that enables drone manufacturers to adapt existing platforms to meet C5 or C6 requirements without altering the drone’s core architecture.
Key benefits for manufacturers:
Faster market entry → dramatically shorter certification timelines.
Lower development costs → no need for full platform redesign.
Multi-model compatibility → works with various drone types and brands.
Full regulatory compliance → ready for EASA testing and CE marking.
By integrating PrimeCorZero, manufacturers can unlock the European drone market and allow their customers to operate under EASA STS-01 and STS-02 from day one.
If you’re a drone manufacturer or integrator looking to achieve EU drone certification and STS readiness quickly, contact us today.