Drones

With drones, also called Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), we distinguish between recreational and professional use.

Please note: New European regulations come into force on 1 July 2020. This means there will no longer be a distinction between recreational and professional use. See the Government of the Netherlands’ website for more information.

 

Recreational use of drones

For recreational droneflying the Regeling modelvliegen applies. For more information, go to the website of the Rijksoverheid.

 

GoDrone app and website

To aid drone operators, we have 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. Download the app free of charge in either the App Store or Google Play.

 

Professional use of drones

For professional use of drones the Regeling op afstand bestuurde luchtvaartuigen (R-OABL, in Dutch) applies.

 

RPAS-area and RPAS-prohibited area

In the CTR you will find an RPAS-area and an RPAS-prohibited area. Click on the airport names below to see detailed maps of these areas.

 

Beek

Eelde

Lelystad

Rotterdam

Schiphol

 

 

For RPAS operations in CTR’s the following rules apply

• Up to 24 hrs before operation, permission shall be requested from the Operational Help Desk, using the applicable forms.
• The Operational Help Desk will inform the RPAS Operator of approval or denial of the request.
• After approval of the request, the RPAS Operator shall submit one flight plan for every series of consecutive, uninterrupted flights that take place in the same area on a particular day.
• Whenever between two flights the RPAS is grounded for a period of more than 60 minutes, the consecutive flights shall be considered as seperate flights, that require seperate approvals, flight plans and clearances.

 

In order to file flight plans for RPAS, the RPAS Operator first has to request a flight planning account with the Flight Service Centre (FSC) of LVNL. Hereafter flight plans can be filed by the operator.

 

General rules

• The flight is conducted under VFR.
• Special VFR is allowed after special VFR clearance from TWR, up until 800 m visibility and 600 ft ceiling.
• The flight remains within the pre-determined flight area as approved by the Operational Help Desk and conforms to R-OABL article 13 and 16.
• Two-way-radiocommunication is mandatory. A designated 10m high antenna is recommended in order to improve signal reception, and reduce the possibility that no clearance can be received.

 

RPAS-crew

• The RPAS Operator holds a full RPAS Operator Certificate (ROC), with an approval from the authority to fly within a CTR.
• The RPAS Pilot holds an RPA-L.
• The observer is holder of a valid radio station licence, including knowledge concerning 8.33 KHz frequency spacing.
• The RPAS Operator holds a permit for the use of the radio-station.

 

Mode S transponder

Mode S transponder is mandatory, unless a formal exemption is granted to the RPAS Operator. This exemption may be granted by the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport (ILT)).

 

File a request for exemption

 

An RPAS Operator may file a request for an exemption. In order to do so, the operator states and proves by means of the Operational Handbook, that all possible technical, procedural and human failures are mitigated sufficiently. These mitigation measures may exist of independent and/or redundant technical, procedural of human safety measures.

 

After approval by ILT of the Operational Handbook, including the possible mitigation measures, an exemption may be granted to the RPAS Operator.

 

 

 

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