Hi,

I'm Steven, an active member of the Belgian drone club, FDR1. I would like to share these interesting web pages we published if you intend to fly with your DJI drone in Belgium.
These pages are in Dutch but can be easily translated with Google Translate. They contain all the legal and practical information for a safe flight with your DJI drone according to European EU 2019/947 regulations, including the map for Belgium of NFZ's, Droneguide. The info on this page is always up to date, thanks to very good contacts with all the (Belgian) official government agencies.

Starting Portal: https://www.fdr1.be/startportaal
Page compiling all the necessary steps for registration in Belgium before a first flight, but also a guide for daily flying.
(Translation to English via this link, using Google Translate)

Have a safe flight!

Steven

Nice, but be aware of the risks that this entails, bad information, outdated information.... Double check Legal info on EASA website

Flying in your country - National Aviation Authorities | EASA (europa.eu)

By the way, as an association, are you not able to offer group insurance rates and therefore cheaper for drone practice?

No, in Belgium every drone owner needs to be insured. Most of the time it is however included in the (mandatory) civil insurance of every Belgian.

Ok, that's interesting...

You're welcome!

Thank you for information

Thanks for sharing.  

Wouldn't a link to the EASA pages be more appropriate now that local countries in the EU cannot mandate their own rules.

DAFlys Posted at 2-9 02:22
Wouldn't a link to the EASA pages be more appropriate now that local countries in the EU cannot mandate their own rules.

A very good question and logical response. The answer however is "no". Allow me to explain why: the EU adopted the drone legislation EU 2019/947, which gives us the "laws" around drone flying. However, article 15 of that same regulation gives countries the freedom for local implementation. That differs still in the EU.

An example in Belgium: C0 drones (example: DJI Mini 4 pro) do not require to broadcast Remote ID (=says EU 2019/947). However, the implementation is governed by the country. Therefor Remote ID, when entering a lot of NFZ's in Belgium (after permission) DO require you to broadcast Remote ID, even with a C0-drone.

United Europe? Yes, for 80%

Steven808 Posted at 2-9 04:04
A very good question and logical response. The answer however is "no". Allow me to explain why: the EU adopted the drone legislation EU 2019/947, which gives us the "laws" around drone flying. However, article 15 of that same regulation gives countries the freedom for local implementation. That differs still in the EU.

An example in Belgium: C0 drones (example: DJI Mini 4 pro) do not require to broadcast Remote ID (=says EU 2019/947). However, the implementation is governed by the country. Therefor Remote ID, when entering a lot of NFZ's in Belgium (after permission) DO require you to broadcast Remote ID, even with a C0-drone.

Thats not what the EASA website shows,  it clearly. states EU member states cannot maintain their own rules.    With the exception of -

Minimum age for remote pilot
• Conversion of certificates issued before the applicability of the EU regulation
• Authorisation of model club and
associations
• Fines when breaching the regulation
• Use of geographical zones
• Insurance


Attaching the page from EASA for reference.

DAFlys Posted at 2-9 04:30
Thats not what the EASA website shows,  it clearly. states EU member states cannot maintain their own rules.    With the exception of -

Minimum age for remote pilot

Again: EU member states will follow the EU 2019/947, no problem there. But do read the complete EU Drone Regulation. As seen (also) in your screenshot: they have the liberty on HOW to implement the geographical zones, INCLUDING adding extra conditions.  

EU 2019/947, Article 15

(Quote)
Operational conditions for UAS geographical zones

1.   When defining UAS geographical zones for safety, security, privacy or environmental reasons, Member States may:
▼M1
(a)
prohibit certain or all UAS operations, request particular conditions for certain or all UAS operations or require a prior flight authorisation for certain or all UAS operations;
▼B
(b)
subject UAS operations to specified environmental standards;
(c)
allow access to certain UAS classes only;
(d)
allow access only to UAS equipped with certain technical features, in particular remote identification systems or geo awareness systems.
2.   On the basis of a risk assessment carried out by the competent authority, Member States may designate certain geographical zones in which UAS operations are exempt from one or more of the ‘open’ category requirements.
3.   When pursuant to paragraphs 1 or 2 Member States define UAS geographical zones, for geo awareness purposes they shall ensure that the information on the UAS geographical zones, including their period of validity, is made publicly available in a common unique digital format.

- - -

I discussed this with government officials, and that's what we are talking about here. Other example: "local implementation" in Germany with their "zonation", adding extra requirements to the rules, even when they follow the basic set of rules.

Explanation: see my previous answer(s) above.

Steven808 Posted at 2-9 04:38
Again: EU member states will follow the EU 2019/947, no problem there. But do read the complete EU Drone Regulation. As seen (also) in your screenshot: they have the liberty on HOW to implement the geographical zones, INCLUDING adding extra conditions.  

EU 2019/947, Article 15

So really your definition of local implementation is limited and only for specific defined zones,    and EASA accommodate that by having a page with guidance where to lookup that data - https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/li ... thorities-resources

DAFlys Posted at 2-9 04:45
So really your definition of local implementation is limited and only for specific defined zones,    and EASA accommodate that by having a page with guidance where to lookup that data - https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/light/topics/drones-national-aviation-authorities-resources

The page you are linking to just describes how to be compliant in every country (registration/where to fly/drone maps/...) - It does not describe what article 15 is about for your defense, just some practical stuff for basic flying.

In recap: I tried to inform people about flying in Belgium (nothing more, nothing less), including the local implementation of geozones by the government and some backstory with useful links, appreciated by the Belgian drone community. You tried to answer with a general link which does not disprove local implementation in Belgium nor offer anything new, even less information than originally brought to the table. Let's just agree to disagree

In conclusion: fly safe, and happy flying if you ever visit Belgium!

Steven808 Posted at 2-9 04:04
A very good question and logical response. The answer however is "no". Allow me to explain why: the EU adopted the drone legislation EU 2019/947, which gives us the "laws" around drone flying. However, article 15 of that same regulation gives countries the freedom for local implementation. That differs still in the EU.

An example in Belgium: C0 drones (example: DJI Mini 4 pro) do not require to broadcast Remote ID (=says EU 2019/947). However, the implementation is governed by the country. Therefor Remote ID, when entering a lot of NFZ's in Belgium (after permission) DO require you to broadcast Remote ID, even with a C0-drone.

uhhhh, isn't this exactly what is planned by the EU law for all cases that fall outside the open category?  Like flying in the NFZ...

LV_Forestry Posted at 2-9 10:14
uhhhh, isn't this exactly what is planned by the EU law for all cases that fall outside the open category?  Like flying in the NFZ...

Hi,

All cases here described are in the open category. The difference is this: while EU drone regulation (to continue on the example) specify that "in general" C0-drones do not need to broadcast  Remote ID, local implementation of geozones might require it in geozones, accessible to Open Category flyers after permission. (Also open category, in Belgium regulated via the DSA-app of Skeyes/DGLV) - One might be surprised to see his <250gram drone need to be required to broadcast Remote ID, while DJI (correctly) has not activated it on C0-drones to begin with in the EU

(We do not talk here about the Specific Category or the Certified Category)


Let's hope DJI enables C0-drones to also broadcast Remote ID in the EU, especially since the hardware is present (yet not accessible)

Steven808 Posted at 2-9 10:57
Hi,

All cases here described are in the open category. The difference is this: while EU drone regulation (to continue on the example) specify that "in general" C0-drones do not need to broadcast  Remote ID, local implementation of geozones might require it in geozones, accessible to Open Category flyers after permission. (Also open category, in Belgium regulated via the DSA-app of Skeyes/DGLV) - One might be surprised to see his

Open category subject to permission...
Open category in an NFZ...

I was told that Belgium is a special country in the EU, but yes, this is confirmed.

LV_Forestry Posted at 2-9 11:06
Open category subject to permission...
Open category in an NFZ...

Indeed it is Belgium is a special country

As a Open Category A1 flyer with my Remote ID equipped DJI drone, I can fly within NFZ's in Belgium after authorization and following the access conditions to the letter (example: Remote ID, reduced height to 150ft, ...) - Nice to know that the system works with you in stead of grounding the drone pilot. It's a great experience! (Yet sometimes a confusing one )

Steven808 Posted at 2-9 11:26
Indeed it is  Belgium is a special country  

As a Open Category A1 flyer with my Remote ID equipped DJI drone, I can fly within NFZ's in Belgium after authorization and following the access conditions to the letter (example: Remote ID, reduced height to 150ft, ...) - Nice to know that the system works with you in stead of grounding the drone pilot. It's a great experience! (Yet sometimes a confusing one  )

Ok I went to find out about the links given by EASA
Source : mobilit.belgium.be/fr/aviation/voler-en/drones-uas/zones-geographiques


The expression NFZ is misleading. NFZ is, as its name suggests, a no flight zone. The open category is simply prohibited there. It corresponds to what you call VLL0.
On DJI flysafe, this correspond to the blue and red aera. (+/- because fly safe is not accurate)

Then there are VLL1 and VLL2 which mainly are CTR and defined as potential risk of airprox with manned aircraft.This are more or less warning zone, yellow/orange in DJI flysafe. Where remote ID is mandatory for anything flying there. I have the feeling that all European countries have made the same choice on this point.

Other area police station / prison / bank... are drone restricted area. Remaining of the initial law which started to emerge in each european country arround 2014/2015.
And as you mentioned, leave it to the discretion of the Member States with regard to article 15 2019/947.

LV_Forestry Posted at 2-9 13:11
Ok I went to find out about the links given by EASA
Source : mobilit.belgium.be/fr/aviation/voler-en/drones-uas/zones-geographiques

Hiya,

For all intents and purposes: for drone pilots (open category) it is an NFZ, unless permission is obtained. I know the colloquial is a bit misleading, but it serves its purpose. It is an NFZ (also for other parties than drones) with the same protocol to obtain permissions. Without any permission, these geozones are NFZs.

In reality for Open Category drone operations, VLL0 will be inaccessible, VLL1 sometimes with permission but most of the time Specific, VLL2 will be the most practical candidate for drone operations with permission in the Open Category. It allows us a lot of liberty and is a practical system to helps us fly safe. Belgium is a big difference to fly in in comparison with the Netherlands, where a accessible system for permission is lacking most of the time.  

Some NFZ's in Belgium are absolute, for drone and helicopters, like the ones around prisons and nuclear power plants and military domains. We do not differ from any other country in that respect.

FYI, the reference for Belgium is "droneguide", not the DJI Flysafe map. For more info on its use and link towards it, see the link in the initial post as portal for all necessary info and linking

Steven808 Posted at 2-9 10:57
Hi,

All cases here described are in the open category. The difference is this: while EU drone regulation (to continue on the example) specify that "in general" C0-drones do not need to broadcast  Remote ID, local implementation of geozones might require it in geozones, accessible to Open Category flyers after permission. (Also open category, in Belgium regulated via the DSA-app of Skeyes/DGLV) - One might be surprised to see his

Effectivement,  je croise les doigts pour enfin avoir le remote ID actif sur le.mini 3 et  enfin pouvoir voler au moins en vll2. C'est vraiment pénible d' être si limité car le remote est pas activé en Europe ( a part le Mini 4 pro si il est passé en classe C1)

Hey Steven! Thank you very much for bringing this info together! I have a question, and may be you can help me out with this. I am about to register as an operator. The drone I use is for both personal use, but also to create videos professionally. I am independent in Belgium, so I am not sure if I should chose the option to register on my own name, or as an organization, as seen on the options on the image:

Thanks for the help in advance!

earthfocus.pro Posted at 12-20 02:15
Hey Steven! Thank you very much for bringing this info together! I have a question, and may be you can help me out with this. I am about to register as an operator. The drone I use is for both personal use, but also to create videos professionally. I am independent in Belgium, so I am not sure if I should chose the option to register on my own name, or as an organization, as seen on the options on the image: [view_image]

Thanks for the help in advance!

Hi,

Look who is the owner of the drone: if you bought it with your personal money, I would continue as an individual. If you sell later on the images to a company, is not the issue. Are YOU flying as an individual, or are you flying as an operator, recruited by an enterprise, who has an enterprise account, and will you be piloting for them? That's most of the time the things to wonder about.

Concerning the legislation in Belgium (flying, not including the insurance) - there is no difference between flying for fun or commercially.