Applying for permission to operate drones in geographical areas

If you want to fly over geographical areas with drones, you may need to apply for a permit.

Drones are unmanned aerial vehicles which, together with the remote control, form what is known as an "Unmanned Aircraft System" (UAS). They can be used in a variety of ways. The following activities are possible with the help of drones, for example:

• Photographing or filming subjects
• Rescue fawns
• Surveying areas

If you use a drone, you may also want to fly over geographical areas for which you need permission. A geographical (UAS) area is a part of the airspace defined in accordance with air traffic regulations that permits, restricts or excludes UAS operation. This is intended to avoid risks to the following areas

• public safety
• the protection of privacy and personal data
• protection from noise pollution
• the environment

The following are examples of nationally applicable geographical (UAS) areas:

• Federal highways
• Federal waterways,
• Nearby airfields and airports
• nature conservation areas
• Residential properties

Permission is required in the following cases, for example:

• You want to fly over a geographical (UAS) area but are unable to obtain permission from the operator or the responsible authority
• You want to operate your aircraft near airports or over residential properties without consent and at an altitude of less than 100 meters

If you have a legitimate interest in doing so, you can obtain a permit to fly in geographical (UAS) areas from the relevant state aviation authority.

The following competent authorities are listed:

Locally responsible state aviation authorities and the Federal Aviation Office

https://dipul.de/homepage/de/antraege-behoerdendienste/

• Application to fly into a geographical UAS area
• Proof of air liability insurance
• if applicable:
  • A1/A3 certificate of competence or A2 remote pilot certificate
  • Self-declaration of practical skills
  • detailed maps or aerial photographs, such as Google Maps, in which the planned flight sector and take-off or landing sites are marked
  • written consent from the owner of the land
  • Order from affected authorities, agencies or operators
  • Approval from German air traffic control
  • Expert opinion on the suitability of the site and the airspace concerned
  • Further assessments and expert opinions, for example in the area of noise and nature conservation

• sufficient air liability insurance
• required proof of competence
• intended operation and use of airspace do not lead to
  • a danger to the safety of air traffic or
  • to aircraft noise that exceeds a reasonable level, or
  • to a risk to public safety and order, in particular to violations of data protection or nature and environmental protection

• Contradiction

There is no deadline.

Die Kostenhöhe richtet sich nach dem Bearbeitungsaufwand zum Einflug in das geografische Gebiet.: Administrative fine from 50,00 EUR to 3.500,00 EUR (Information on cost composition can be found here)

Which state aviation authority is responsible for authorizing drones to fly into geographical areas depends on the location of the drone and not on your company or place of residence.