From toy drone to professional drone
Drones can be used to film events, take aerial photos of parties or sports competitions, but also to perform stunts and flips in the air. At first, drones acted as military tools. Buying drones has only recently become possible for everyone. Quadcopters and drones therefore come in many different forms, with all kinds of functions and specific properties. If you especially want to play for fun, you will find cheap, simple toy models with us. Are you willing to spend a more money and you are looking for an advanced, professional drone? We probably have exactly what you are looking for. You can contact us for any drone model, both for a beginner/small child and for professional use.
Drone with camera for novice users
The term "drone" is actually not very specific. A drone can have the shape of an airplane, but also of a helicopter. You also have driving drones, usually referred to as robots. The most accessible type, suitable for recreational and novice users, is the quadcopter. Quadcopters have four propellers and are therefore easier to keep in the air. They are stable and manoeuvrable, take off easily and do not fall down quickly. You can buy a quadcopter from us in all kinds of versions.
Where can I fly a drone?
In general, it is prohibited to participate in air traffic in such a way that persons or things are (or may be) endangered.
There can always be temporary prohibited/restricted areas in connection with, for example, an event. For uncontrolled airports, flights within a distance of 3 km are allowed, provided there is no objection from the airport operator.
Areas may also be used temporarily and exceptionally for the take-off and landing of aircraft; flying within a distance of 3 km is allowed provided there is no objection from the operator of that area.
In Natura 2000 areas, restrictions may apply to flying drones. These restrictions may differ per area and are included in a management plan and/or access-restricting decision that is usually established by the province in which the area is located. For the exact rules regarding flying with drones, please contact the relevant province.
Terms and conditions for flying in the Open category
In all cases, you must meet the following conditions within the Open category:
You must register with RDW in the Netherlands or in Belgium with FPS Mobility as a drone pilot if you fly a drone that weighs more than 250 grams or if it is equipped with a camera with which you can make recordings (the drone itself does not have to be registered ).
You must follow a theory course if your drone weighs more than 250 grams, which results in an EU drone certificate with a validity of 5 years;
The online basic exam for categories A1-A3 has 40 multiple choice questions. If you want to fly in the A2 subcategory, an extra exam with 30 questions will be added;
The maximum flight height is 120 meters. Higher (for example at a building or object) is only allowed if not higher than 15 meters / further than 50 meters from that building or object and with the permission of the building owner / object manager;
You should always keep the drone in sight;
It is not allowed to fly outside the daylight period (which follows from the Dutch air traffic rules);
You are not allowed to fly within a 3 km radius around small airports (1.2 km in the case of heliports) and in CTR areas;
You have to take into account the privacy of people who may be recognizable in the picture;
You must ensure that your liability insurance (AVP) also covers damage or injury caused by drones (check this with your insurer);
As a drone pilot you are at least 16 years old, unless you fly a toy drone or self-build device 250 grams. Flying with heavier drones is allowed, but only if a supervisor supervises and you have completed the theory training that applies to the category in question.
The distance you have to maintain in relation to people depends on the weight of your drone.
After January 1, 2023, all newly sold drones must bear a Cx CE label with additional product requirements. With drones >250 grams without such a Cx CE label, you may only fly in the A3 category after this date;
You can fly in other EU member states, under the same conditions as in your own country. So take your EU drone certificate with you on your trip!
The new rules that you must comply with (Aviation Act (Article 5.3) and Model Flying Regulations) can be found at: rijksoverheid.nl/drones
Some examples from the scheme are:
