Belgian sky is free of drones

A sky open to all drones is the new rule that will go into effect January 1. Very good news for the 4,000 pilots in Belgium. It is imposed by the European Union, which wants to prepare for the emergence of transporting goods and passengers with drones. The idea is to create areas designated for different uses. Starting with the so-called “open” areas intended mainly for amateurs, as Renault Fritor, Vice President of the Belgian UAV Association, explained:

“It will be much easier to fly in these open areas, which are considered low-risk because they are far from the airport or protected area. We know that we can fly up to 120 meters in some of these areas. But at an altitude of 40 meters in areas including places. These same areas are divided into 3 categories: Class A1 and A3, which are intended for drones weighing less than 25 kg and you must be 14 years old and there, training has been simplified through online training only in conjunction with the Aviation Administration. Zone A2 is a little more risky, and there the candidate has to take a test in front of the administration. But all this is done without a real practical test and it is the candidate who decides for himself whether he is fit to fly. But it is better to train if it is only about insurance.

New users

eThis easing will reinforce a sector now liberated from severe restrictions. This is because until now theft has been prohibited in principle everywhere except for the exemption. The logic is now reversed and this will attract new users: architects, farmers, security companies, or land registry officials. For these pilots, specific certification will be required but procedures will be simplified and this will attract a lot of new users.

A third category includes carriers of people or goods. But if Europe is starting to position itself on the issue, we still have a long way to go in regulating this field of unmanned transport.

Attention, protected areas

There will still be protected areas: UAS regions (Unmanned Aircraft SystemWho will vouch for Security around military areas, nuclear power plants, prisons, royal estates or international institutions, for example, but also airports. This is Skies, The Belgian sky watcher who will manage it, explains its boss, Johann Decoyber. “To ensure air safety, we will impose very strict restrictions in these areas, especially around the airports we operate in Belgium. To help pilots, these open areas will appear.” Droneguide “. An application that you can download On your smartphone or tablet And on any vYou can either consult the map with the no-fly zones, or see if you are too close to the airport or not. “

No need for an app on the other hand for a Santa Claus who always knows where to fly! But, if one day he wants to replace his skis with drones to give his gifts, he will have to wait a few more years …