Drones

GoDrone website and app

To aid drone operators, we created the GoDrone app and accompanying website that shows you by means of a drone map of the Netherlands where you can and cannot fly. The app also provides information about restrictions and/or exceptions that apply in certain areas. Drone operators can use GoDrone to plan and keep track of their flights. It also allows them to file and get approval for a mission plan in a CTR. You can download the GoDrone app from the App Store as well Google Play Store for free.

European legislation for drone flights

In line with European legislation, you have to register yourself as a drone operator (if your drone weighs more than 250 grams) and pass an online test demonstrating the required knowledge to fly your drone safely. Also, drone flights are now divided into three risk categories.

Drone flights in the ‘open’ category are prohibited in control zones (CTRs); only drone flights in the ‘specific’ or ‘certified’ category are allowed to fly in a CTR. More information on flying in those categories and how to obtain an exploitation permit can be found on the ILT website.

Do you fly a drone without a permit? Click here for more information.

Clearance flight plan and call sign

In the Netherlands, flying a drone is regarded as a VFR flight. Are you flying your drone in controlled airspace? Then you must obtain a clearance from the ATC tower controller. Also, you need to file a flight plan and two-way radio contact (RTF) is mandatory. By filing a mission plan in GoDrone, the legal requirement to file a flight plan is met. Furthermore, you can enter your call sign at ‘additional information’.  Your call sign is determined by combining:

• ‘Unmanned’, plus
• A logical acronym linked to your company name (for example: Dutch Drone Organisation becomes DDO)

In this example the call sign becomes: Unmanned DDO (delta delta oscar).

The Operational Help Desk will forward your mission plan to the control tower and obtain pre-approval for your mission, which depends on the expected operational situation. The actual permission to fly, the clearance, will be given to you by the tower controller. In order to manage ATC workload, LVNL can set a maximum number of simultaneous drone flights per CTR. When this maximum is reached, you will not receive pre-approval from the Operations Help Desk. Also, for safety reasons the tower controller can decide not to give a clearance, or to (temporarily) withdraw a previous clearance.

The following rules apply to drone flights in a CTR

• A GoDrone mission plan needs to be filed at least 24 hours before the intended flight.
• The operator (the company or organization performing the flight) files a mission plan for each series of flights in one flight area. If you intend to fly in separate areas, you need to file separate mission plans.
• If your drone is on the ground for more than 60 minutes between two flights, they are considered two separate missions and therefore require two separate mission plans.

General rules for flight execution

• The flight is executed under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
• Special VFR is permitted within UDP, if a clearance has been received for this.
• The drone must remain within the pre-determined flight area authorised by the Operational Help Desk. To this end, set up a geocage that corresponds to the flight area. Test the geocage on the ground prior to the flight. You may only request a flight clearance from tower air traffic control if the geocage is working properly.
• Two-way-radiocommunication is mandatory. A designated 10m high antenna is recommended in order to improve signal reception at low altitudes, and reduce the possibility that no clearance can be received.
• If you notice that two-way radio contact is no longer possible during the flight, terminate the flight immediately and call the Operational Help Desk (or FSC outside opening hours of the Operational Help Desk) to cancel the flight.

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