Drone flights

APP AND WEBSITE GODRONE

GoDrone has been developed for drone pilots. It is an app and website that allows drone pilots to see where they are and are not allowed to fly using a drone map of the Netherlands.

Drone operators can use GoDrone to plan and track their drone flights and, if necessary, submit an application for a drone mission in the CTR. The GoDrone app can be downloaded for free from the App Store and Google Play Store.

EUROPEAN REGULATIONS FOR FLYING WITH DRONES

In accordance with European regulations, you must register as an operator (if your drone weighs more than 250 grams) and take an online knowledge test to demonstrate your knowledge as a drone operator. Drone flights are divided into risk categories.

Flights with drones in the so-called 'open category' are not allowed in the local air traffic control areas (CTRs) and are reserved for the so-called 'specific' or 'certified' category.

On the website of the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) you will find more information about flying in that category and what is required to obtain an operating permit.

Drone flights in the CTR's of Eelde, Lelystad, Maastricht, Rotterdam and Schiphol

In the Netherlands, flying a drone is regarded as a VFR flight. VFR flights are subject to certain legal requirements. Are you flying your drone in controlled airspace? Then you need clearance from the tower controller. You must also submit a flight plan and the obligation of two-way radio contact (RTF) applies.

Flight plan via GoDrone

Planning a mission in GoDrone fulfills the obligation to submit a flight plan. In addition, you can specify your intended callsign in the comments in GoDrone. Your callsign is a combination of:

Unmanned, plus

• a logical acronym of the company name (for example: Dutch Drone Organization becomes DDO)
• In the case of this example, the callsign becomes Unmanned DDO (delta delta Oscar).

The following rules apply to flight plans via GoDrone:

• The operator (the company or organization performing the drone flight) submits a flight plan via GoDrone for each series of consecutive flights within one flight area within the required application period in the CTR (see below). In the case of several flying areas: one application and flight plan per flying area.
• Once the drone has landed for a period of more than 60 minutes (within one flight area) between two flights, the two consecutive flights are considered two independent flights, requiring an application, flight plan, and clearance independently of each other.

Application procedure for drone flights in the CTRs of Eelde, Lelystad, Maastricht, Rotterdam and Schiphol

With effect from 20 May 2026, the following application procedure applies to drone missions:

• Submit your mission plan via GoDrone and request provisional authorisation from the Operational Helpdesk at least two days before the start of the flight, no later than 1000 LT. 
• Two days before the drone mission, no later than 1500 LT, you will be notified if the maximum number of drone flights in the requested time slot has been reached, with a request to adjust the times. 
• One working day before your drone mission, at 1000 LT, the final times of your drone mission must be submitted via GoDrone.

Provisional permission and clearance

• The Operational Helpdesk coordinates your mission plan with tower controller and, depending on the situation, issues provisional permission.

NB In the event of a drone mission in the Rotterdam CTR, you will receive provisional permission one working day in advance, no later than 1500 LT.

• The final authorisation to fly (clearance) is given by the tower controller.
• LVNL may set a maximum limit on the number of simultaneous drone flights within a CTR. 
  • If this maximum is reached, no provisional authorisation will be granted. 
  • The tower controller may refuse or revoke a clearance for safety reasons.  

Flight execution

• The flight is operated under visual flight rules (VFR).
• Special VFR is permitted within UDP if clearance has been received.
• The flight remains within the area permitted by the Operational Helpdesk. To do this, set a geocage that corresponds to the allowed flying area. Test the geocage on the ground prior to flight. You may only request flight clearance from tower traffic control if the geocage is working properly.
• Two-way radio contact is mandatory. The use of a 10 m antenna is recommended for the quality of the signal from a low height.
• If you notice during the flight that two-way radio contact is no longer possible, terminate the flight immediately and call the Operational Helpdesk (or FSC outside the opening hours of the Operational Helpdesk) to cancel the flight.