WingtraRAY earns C6 mark for advanced EU flights

When Europe’s drone rules changed in recent years, manufacturers had to rethink not just hardware, but compliance. Under the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) framework, drones are assigned C-class labels (C0 through C6), each tied to specific operational privileges and limits in the Open and Specific categories. Now, Swiss drone manufacturer Wingtra says its latest mapping platform, WingtraRAY, has secured both C3 and C6 certification, potentially expanding how surveyors operate across Europe.

What C3 and C6 actually mean

Under EASA rules, a C3 mark generally allows operations in the Open category A3 — away from people, below 120 meters (400 feet), and within visual line of sight (VLOS). That’s the baseline many professional mapping drones operate under today.

C6, however, is tied to the Specific category and standardized risk scenarios (STS). In practical terms, that matters for operators who want to fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) — a capability that’s increasingly critical for large infrastructure projects, rail lines, highways, pipelines, and other long corridors.

Wingtra says its C6 approval applies when the WingtraRAY is equipped with its certified parachute add-on. That safety system is a key part of meeting the stricter requirements EASA sets for more advanced operations, particularly those that may occur closer to populated areas or outside the pilot’s direct sight.

The certifications were formally issued through TÜV Rheinland, one of Europe’s major testing and inspection bodies.

Why this matters for survey businesses

For mapping and surveying firms in the EU, regulations often determine operational efficiency more than hardware specs do. Even a high-end drone capable of covering hundreds of hectares per flight can be limited if missions must remain strictly within line of sight.

With C6 certification, WingtraRAY operators can more easily plan operations under standard scenarios that allow BVLOS, provided pilot training and other regulatory conditions are met. That could mean:

• Fewer mission splits along long corridors
• Reduced setup time for complex sites
• More data captured per battery cycle
• Less regulatory friction in planning advanced flights

For European operators, this is particularly relevant as EASA pushes harmonized rules across member states. Standard scenarios are designed to simplify cross-border operations by creating common definitions and requirements throughout the EU.

Wingtra CTO Armin Ambühl frames the dual certification as part of a broader strategy to align efficiency with compliance. The company positions WingtraRAY as a high-accuracy VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) fixed-wing system built for large-area coverage. In that context, BVLOS capability isn’t just a feature; it’s central to the business case.

As corridor mapping and large-scale infrastructure monitoring expand across Europe, regulatory alignment may become a competitive differentiator.

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