Flying a Drone in Austria (OPEN A1/A3): What Every Pilot Should Know

Flying a Drone in Austria (OPEN A1/A3): What Every Pilot Should Know

Austria is one of the most attractive destinations for drone flying in Europe. The Alps, mountain lakes, deep valleys, historic cities, and open landscapes attract tourists, content creators, and FPV pilots from across the European Union.

However, this unique combination of breathtaking nature and a high concentration of people also makes Austria one of the least tolerant countries when it comes to drone operations in the OPEN A1 and A3 categories.

In Austria, lack of knowledge does not protect you. And a quick online search is usually not enough.

Why Flying a Drone in Austria Is Different from Other EU Countries

European EASA rules apply throughout the European Union. That does not mean, however, that drone operations are handled the same way in every country.

Austria has long applied a conservative and strict approach to risk assessment, mainly due to:

• mountainous terrain and rapid changes in elevation
• strong emphasis on nature and landscape protection
• high levels of tourism
• dense urban areas and infrastructure

What may be formally permitted under the general EU framework can be practically indefensible in Austria.

A typical pilot mistake: “We’re in the mountains, there’s no one around.”
In Austria, this assumption does not work.

The Alps, Lakes, and Mountains: Where Most Problems Arise

Alpine regions represent the biggest trap for drone pilots. Not because flying is automatically prohibited, but because:

• flight altitude is always assessed relative to the terrain (AGL)
• people may appear at any time and from any direction
• tourist use is not always obvious at first glance
• restrictions are often visible only in official maps

Mountain meadows, viewpoints, lakes, cable cars, or alpine huts may look like perfect filming locations. From the perspective of Austrian practice, however, they are among the most high-risk locations.

This is where most unintentional violations, conflicts with the public, and unnecessary problems occur.

Cities and Towns: Formal A1 Does Not Mean Automatic Permission

Another common misconception: “My drone weighs under 250 g, I’m in OPEN A1, so I can fly.”

The Austrian reality is different. Urban environments are considered high-risk areas, regardless of drone weight.

Even if:

• the flight is short
• no one complains
• you are using a “small” drone

such a flight may still be indefensible in practice. Consent of individuals or good intentions do not replace the rules.

FPV in Austria: Higher Risk, Higher Requirements

FPV drones are not a separate legal category, but in Austria they are perceived as operations with a higher level of risk.

The reason is simple: FPV flights often take place:

• low above the terrain
• in complex and uneven environments
• close to objects
• in locations where standard camera drones are uncommon

For this reason, FPV operations in Austria most commonly fall under OPEN A3 and require very careful location selection.

If you are not sure whether a location is suitable, then it is not.

What This Article Is – and What It Is Not

This article:

• ❌ is not a reproduction of legal regulations
• ❌ is not a legal or official interpretation
• ❌ is not a flight authorization

It serves solely as an informational and educational explanation of context, helping pilots understand why operating in Austria requires a different approach than elsewhere.

Each individual flight is carried out under the sole responsibility of the pilot. Every pilot is required to verify current conditions, restrictions, and location suitability using official sources.

One PDF. One Country. Clear Context.

This is exactly why the DronDelivery project was created. Not as a parcel delivery service, but as knowledge delivery in the form of clear, structured PDF guides.

Each PDF focuses exclusively on one country and explains how OPEN A1 / A3 rules work in real Austrian practice.

Not legal language. Not loopholes. But decision-making that makes sense in real-world conditions.

👉 View the PDF Guide for Austria (OPEN A1 / A3)

OPEN Categories in Austria: The EU Framework vs. Austrian Reality

The OPEN category is defined uniformly across the European Union. This does not mean, however, that it is assessed in the same way in every country. Austria places strong emphasis on the actual risk of the location, not merely on formal compliance with technical requirements.

In other words:
OPEN does not mean “free to fly”. OPEN means “low risk”.

And this is precisely where Austria applies a stricter interpretation.

OPEN A1: Flying Close to People, but Only with Minimal Risk

OPEN A1 is intended for operations with the lowest level of risk. It typically includes very small drones or certified aircraft designed for calm and predictable flight.

In theory, A1 allows flight close to individual persons. In Austrian practice, however, this does not mean that such a flight is automatically defensible.

Austrian authorities and real-world enforcement follow a simple logic:

• people may move unpredictably
• urban and tourist environments significantly increase risk
• consent of individuals does not replace pilot responsibility

As a result, OPEN A1 in Austria is far more restricted than most pilots expect.

Why OPEN A1 Is Problematic in Cities and Tourist Locations

Cities, towns, and tourist destinations are considered environments with a high concentration of people and infrastructure.

Even if your drone weighs under 250 grams, Austrian practice evaluates:

• the character of the location
• the typical use of the space
• the likelihood of people being present

This means that:
viewpoints, city centers, areas around landmarks, lakes during the season, or mountain huts are very often unsuitable for A1 operations.

A short flight or an “early morning hour” usually does not change this assessment.

OPEN A3: Flying Far from People – but Not Automatically in Nature

In Austria, OPEN A3 is the most common operating mode for FPV drones, legacy aircraft, and non-certified drones.

The basic concept of A3 is straightforward: to fly away from people and outside populated areas.

The problem is that in Austria, “nature” does not automatically mean “A3”.

Mountains and the Alps: Why They Are Not Automatically OPEN A3

The most common pilot misconception:
“We’re in the mountains, there’s no one around.”

Austrian reality:

• mountain areas are heavily used by tourists
• the presence of people is unpredictable
• terrain significantly complicates altitude control
• many restrictions are visible only in official maps

Flying along a slope can easily lead to an unintentional altitude exceedance, even when the pilot feels the flight is “low”.

Automated drone systems do not assume responsibility. The pilot always does.

Lakes, Viewpoints, and Tourist Trails: The Most Common Source of Problems

Austrian lakes and viewpoints are among the most photographed locations in Europe. At the same time, they are among the most problematic areas for drone operations.

Typical characteristics of these locations include:

• variable and unpredictable movement of people
• seasonal spikes in visitor numbers
• a mix of nature, infrastructure, and human activity

Even if a location appears empty at a given moment, it is evaluated based on its typical use, not on the specific conditions at a particular minute.

FPV in OPEN A3: The Most Common and Most Defensible Option

For FPV pilots, OPEN A3 is the most frequently used and the most defensible operating category in Austria.

That does not mean it is simple.

OPEN A3 requires:

• careful and deliberate location selection
• verification using official maps
• the absence of people within the operational area
• full control over altitude and surrounding space

It is precisely in OPEN A3 where the highest number of unintentional mistakes occur — and where the most conflicts arise if the pilot underestimates the environment.

Why “Basic Knowledge” or Experience from Another Country Is Not Enough

Pilots often assume that if they have flown elsewhere in the EU without issues, Austria will be the same.

It is not.

Austria evaluates:

• the flight location
• the typical use of the space
• the potential level of risk, not the pilot’s intent

This is precisely why it makes sense to rely on guidance designed specifically for the Austrian operating environment.

👉 Get the PDF Guide for Austria (OPEN A1 / A3)

Important Legal Notice

This text is provided solely as informational and educational content.

• ❌ it is not a law
• ❌ it is not a legal interpretation
• ❌ it is not an official position of any authority

Each pilot is fully responsible for their own decisions, flight preparation, and compliance with current conditions at the place of operation.

How Decisions Are Made in Practice in Austria: Fly or Do Not Fly

Most drone-related issues in Austria do not arise from intent. They arise from poor location assessment.

The pilot may feel that:
“this should be fine”, but Austrian practice often sees it differently.

Decision-making in Austria is not based on what might technically be possible, but on what is defensible.

Example: A Mountain Valley Outside a Municipality

At first glance, it appears ideal: open space, no buildings, and very few people.

In Austria, however, the following is always assessed:

• whether tourists typically move through the area
• whether it serves as an access or transit route
• whether the area is subject to environmental protection
• how complex the terrain is for altitude control

Such a location may be suitable for OPEN A3 operations, but only if the pilot is genuinely able to maintain full control of the surrounding space.

The feeling that “there’s no one around” is not sufficient.

Example: A Mountain Trail Early in the Morning

A common scenario: early morning, an empty trail, and a short flight.

Austrian reality:

• the trail is normally used by the public
• the presence of people is unpredictable
• the pilot does not have full spatial control

The result:
do not fly.

Not because the pilot is “inexperienced”, but because the location itself inherently increases risk.

Example: A Lake Outside the Main Tourist Season

Lakes are among the most common pilot destinations. At the same time, they are among the most problematic.

Even outside the main season, the following is considered:

• typical visitor levels
• access paths and routes
• recreational use of the area
• nature and environmental protection

The fact that no one is standing by the water at a given moment does not mean that the location is suitable for OPEN operations.

Lakes are where the highest number of conflicts with the public and authorities tend to arise.

Example: A City or Its Outskirts

Urban environments are considered high-risk areas in Austria.

Even the outskirts of cities:

• contain infrastructure
• involve regular movement of people
• raise privacy concerns

Formal classification under OPEN A1 is usually not sufficient here.

If the pilot cannot clearly and confidently defend the operation, the correct decision is not to fly.

FPV in Austria: Where Pilots Most Commonly Make Mistakes

FPV pilots themselves are not the problem. The problem arises when FPV is applied without adapting to the environment.

The most common misconceptions include:

• “It’s empty right now, so it’s fine”
• “I have an observer, that solves everything”
• “It’s small, it won’t hurt anyone”
• “In the mountains there is plenty of space”

In Austria, the assessment is not based on the specific moment, but on the typical use of the location and the potential level of risk.

The Mental Rule That Works in Austria

If you find yourself asking:
“Is this still okay?”

Then the answer is:
it is not.

An experienced pilot in Austria:

• knows when not to fly
• does not chase a shot at any cost
• understands that the safest flight is often the one that never happens

Why Having One Clear Document for Austria Makes Sense

The internet is full of information about drones. The problem is not the lack of information, but fragmentation and contradictions.

One website says one thing, a forum says another, a YouTube video presents a third opinion.

The DronDelivery PDF guide is not an encyclopedia. It is a practical tool you can return to:

• before traveling to Austria
• when planning a specific location
• when you are uncertain about a decision

👉 Purchase the PDF Guide for Austria (OPEN A1 / A3)

Legal and Responsibility Notice

This article and the related PDF are not legal interpretations and are not official statements of any authority.

They serve exclusively as informational and educational materials.

Each individual flight is carried out solely at the pilot’s responsibility. Liability cannot be transferred to the author, the publisher, or this content.

One PDF Instead of Uncertainty

Flying a drone in Austria is not about memorizing legal clauses. It is about whether you are able to properly assess a location before you ever take off.

This is where most pilots make mistakes. Not because they intend to break the rules, but because they do not see the full context.

And in Austria, context is everything.

What the DronDelivery PDF Guide for Austria Actually Addresses

The DronDelivery PDF Guide – Austria (OPEN A1 / A3) was not created as a reproduction of regulations. It was created as a practical filter of reality.

It helps pilots understand:

• how rules are applied in real Austrian practice
• why certain locations are unsuitable even if they “look perfect”
• when OPEN A1 still makes sense and when only A3 remains realistic
• why FPV requires a different approach than standard camera drones

It does not tell you where to fly. It helps you recognize where you should not fly.

FPV Bonus: Reality Without Illusions

The PDF also includes a dedicated chapter focused specifically on FPV operations.

Not as a marketing add-on, but because FPV has a completely different dynamic in Austria compared to standard stabilized drones.

The FPV bonus:

• is based on real-world practice, not theory
• does not focus on “what could be done”, but on what is defensible
• highlights typical mistakes that repeatedly occur

If you fly FPV, this section alone makes the PDF worthwhile.

Who the PDF Has the Greatest Value For

The PDF guide is not intended only for professionals. Its greatest value lies with pilots who:

• fly only occasionally
• travel with a drone
• plan a holiday in Austria
• want peace of mind when making decisions

If you fly only from time to time, the risk of making a mistake is paradoxically higher than with regular, everyday operations.

DronDelivery Is Not a Delivery Service

DronDelivery is not a parcel delivery service.

It is a project focused exclusively on delivering knowledge about drone operations through digital PDF guides.

One country. One document. Clear context.

The project may grow in the future, but its core philosophy remains the same: clarity, accessibility, and real-world practice.

Legal and Responsibility Disclaimer

This article and the related PDF:

• ❌ are not laws
• ❌ are not legal interpretations
• ❌ are not official statements of any authority
• ❌ cannot be relied upon in legal disputes

They serve exclusively as informational and educational materials.

Each individual flight is carried out solely at the pilot’s own responsibility. Liability cannot be transferred to the author, the publisher, or this content.

The pilot is responsible for:

• verifying current conditions
• checking official maps and restrictions
• adapting each flight to the location, time, and situation

Final Recommendation

Austria is beautiful, but from a drone perspective, uncompromising.

If you want to fly:

• without unnecessary stress
• without conflicts
• without uncertainty

it makes sense to have one clear document you can return to whenever needed.

👉 View the PDF Guide for Austria (OPEN A1 / A3)

Not as a flight authorization. But as a tool for better decision-making.