From 1 September, drone operators will be able to submit their flight plans for military controlled airspace (CTRs) via GoDrone. Drone flights in the CTRs surrounding civil airports, such as Schiphol and Groningen, were already required to be applied for in this way.
The inclusion of military air bases marks an important step towards a single, standardised procedure for drone flights in controlled airspace.
This change is the result of close cooperation between LVNL and the Ministry of Defence. From 1 September, the assessment of applications for drone flights in military areas will be handled centrally from the LVNL headquarters at Schiphol East. Upon receipt of a mission plan via GoDrone, the application will be assessed and, where necessary, coordinated with the relevant military air traffic control units at the air bases.
Using a single digital environment creates greater uniformity in the processing of flight plans for drone flights in the Dutch CTRs. At the same time, the military control towers at the air bases have access to better information about planned drone activities. This gives air traffic controllers a better understanding of planned drone activities in the vicinity and supports the safe and smooth handling of both manned and unmanned aviation.
The new procedure applies to the military controlled airspaces (CTRs) of the air bases around Leeuwarden, Volkel, Gilze-Rijen, Deelen, Woensdrecht, De Kooy, Eindhoven and De Peel.
An approved mission plan does not automatically mean that a drone flight can take place at any time. Final authorisation to carry out a flight remains subject to the current traffic situation and is granted by the air traffic controller at the time.