Drone Pilot App for France — DGAC Certificate in Apple Wallet

Flying Drones in France Under EASA Rules

France regulates drone operations through the Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), one of Europe's most experienced aviation authorities. France was among the first EU countries to establish comprehensive drone regulations, and its transition to the harmonized EASA framework means your French-issued certificates are now recognized across all EU member states.

The DGAC manages drone registration through its dedicated platform AlphaTango, which serves as a one-stop shop for operator registration, pilot certification, and flight declarations. France has one of the largest drone communities in Europe, with hundreds of thousands of registered operators.

How PilotPocket Helps French Drone Pilots

PilotPocket complements the AlphaTango system by giving you mobile-first tools purpose-built for flying in the field:

• DGAC Certificate in Apple Wallet — Convert your EASA A1/A3, A2, or STS certificate into an Apple Wallet pass. Show your brevet de pilote to authorities instantly — crucial during the frequent inspections that occur at popular flying spots along the Côte d'Azur, in Provence, or near Parisian suburbs.
• Digital Flight Logbook — Log every flight with GPS coordinates, duration, and notes. French regulations encourage maintaining a flight log, and commercial operators may be asked to produce one during audits.
• Operator QR Tag — Generate a QR code label with your FRA operator ID and contact details. Affix it to your drone to meet the EU e-identification labeling requirement.
• Pre-Flight Checklist — Run through a standardized checklist before each flight. Particularly useful when flying in France's diverse terrain, from coastal cliffs in Brittany to mountain valleys in the Alps.

AlphaTango Registration: How It Works

France requires drone registration for all drones weighing 250 grams or more, or any drone equipped with a camera, regardless of weight:

• Create an account on AlphaTango
• Register as a UAS operator to receive your FRA operator ID
• Register each individual drone (above 250g or with camera) on the platform
• Complete the A1/A3 formation en ligne (online training) and pass the exam
• Download your certificate and add it to Apple Wallet through PilotPocket

For the A2 certificate, you will need to complete additional self-study and pass a proctored theory exam at an approved training center.

French Drone Rules at a Glance

• Maximum altitude: 120 m (400 ft) above ground level in Open category. Reduced to 50 m in certain zones.
• Insurance: Mandatory for all drone flights. Standard home insurance typically does not cover drones — get dedicated coverage.
• Registration: Required for drones 250g+ or any drone with a camera. Done through AlphaTango.
• Remote ID: Required for C-class drones. Operator ID label required on all registered drones.
• No-fly zones: Extensive restrictions around airports, military sites, nuclear facilities, national parks, and urban areas. Use Géoportail (IGN's official map) to check restrictions before every flight.
• Night flying: Permitted under specific conditions with appropriate lighting on the drone.

France-Specific Tips for Drone Pilots

France has unique aspects that every drone pilot should understand:

• Géoportail is essential: Before every flight, consult the Géoportail des restrictions UAS provided by IGN. It shows all restricted, dangerous, and prohibited zones in detail. This is far more accurate than generic third-party apps for French airspace.
• Paris is a no-go: The entire Paris metropolitan area is covered by strict no-fly zones. Even experienced commercial operators face significant hurdles getting authorization. Plan your Paris trip without expecting to fly.
• Coastal flying: France's coastline is stunning for aerial photography, but many beaches and coastal areas fall within military zones or nature reserves. The Calanques near Marseille, Mont-Saint-Michel, and sections of the Atlantic coast have drone restrictions.
• Mountain flying: The Alps and Pyrenees offer spectacular scenery, but be aware of altitude restrictions above sea level in certain valleys, helicopter rescue corridors, and national park boundaries (Vanoise, Écrins, Pyrénées).
• Préfecture declarations: For certain operations in the Specific category, you may need to file declarations with the local préfecture in addition to your DGAC authorization.

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