From 31 December 2020, the same rules will apply to all drone pilots in the European Union. This provides clarity and makes it easier to fly a drone in the EU.

The new regulations must keep the airspace safe and create more space for innovative applications with drones that support various activities, such as inspections of dikes, traffic management, use by the media and applications in agriculture. People flying a drone heavier than 250 grams or a lighter drone with a camera must register with the RDW from 31 December. If the drone is heavier than 250 grams, a flight certificate must also be obtained. This also applies to people who only use a drone for recreational purposes.

Minister Van Nieuwenhuizen (Infrastructure and Water Management): “More and more Dutch people have a drone. They receive one as a gift or buy a drone online. Drones are also increasingly being used to support activities. A great development. It is good that the same rules for the safe use of drones will now apply throughout Europe. For professionals, but certainly also for private individuals, you have to be well informed about what is needed to be able to fly safely in the new year. ”

Registration and training

It is getting busier in the air. To ensure that flying a drone is safe in the future, the rules will change. For people who want to fly with a heavier drone (> 250 grams) for recreational use, they, just like people who have a drone for professional use, must register with the RDW, take a knowledge test about the rules and obtain a flight license. . For flying a drone lighter than 250 grams with a camera, an RDW registration is sufficient. To be able to fly a drone under 250 grams without a camera, no registration and flight license is required. Pilots are not allowed to fly above crowds and around airports. Flying above people is permitted under certain conditions if the drone owner is trained and has the correct papers.

Innovation

Aligning drone rules in the EU means that professionals will have more room to work with drones. Drones are increasingly being used in various professions. The unmanned aircraft are an innovative addition and ensure that existing working methods can be carried out more efficiently and sustainably. Think of inspections with drones in hard-to-reach places such as roofs and bridges, supervision of abandoned industrial estates or incident management in traffic, measurements of sulfur emissions and search and rescue operations. Film and television makers also often use drones. The new regulations simplify the various applications of drones by professionals and provide more room for tests and experiments with new applications, such as a trial with medicine delivery between hospitals in Meppel and Zwolle.

Campaigns

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management will start an online campaign on 1 January to explain to drone owners what the new regulations mean for them. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management reports this to them in the above message website.

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