Vienna (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Austria is not a newcomer when it comes to the study of drones. They have been working towards integrating UAVs into society for many years now. Moreover, they will continue to advance this technology even further. Things are shaping up faster than expected. It will not be surprising to see if Austria legalize the use of a drone. Whether the use of UAVs is for recreational or commercial use, it will soon become legal. If you are planning to visit Austria anytime soon it will be good to know the rules surrounding drones.
Drone Laws In Austria
If you are a drone flyer, it is necessary to keep these laws in mind.
- You are not allowed to fly drones over government buildings, military bases, and prisons. The list includes the Ministry of Finance, Interior, and Defense Headquarters. It is prohibited to fly drones over the national parliament building and the presidential palace. If there are any nuclear plants nearby, don’t think about taking a drone
- If you are fond of flying drones, make sure you don’t use them within corridors and airports. It is necessary to keep them 5km away from Vienna International airport. The drones must remain 2.5km away from a smaller place like Flughafen Graz.
- Drones must remain at least 50 meters away from individuals, especially those who don’t know them. It is illegal to take drones in crowded areas like beaches, zoos, and events. If there is a large group of people, you cannot take a drone near them
Do You Need A License To Fly A Drone In Austria?
If you plan to fly a drone for commercial purposes or earn money, it is important to have a license. You need to have a Certificate of Registration and Airworthiness as well.
The certification exam is conducted in the German language. There are four different kinds of categories in which drones are flown. Many people believe that getting this certificate isn’t easy. However, you will learn to fly safely and responsibly without making any mistakes.
Another important thing is to register your drone with the civil aviation authority. You can get a drone operator ID for about 5 years. The process is simple as you just have to apply Austro control. It will give you an operator ID card from the Australian Government office.
Drone Rules To Keep In Mind
If you plan to fly drones in Austria, don’t forget to follow these rules and regulations:
- Make sure that your drone doesn’t go out of sight every time you fly it. First-time pilots must keep a track of the position of the drone. They must focus on flying instead of doing anything else
- Your drone must remain below 400 feet as it ensures the safety of others along with yourself. When you gain some elevation it will be difficult to control UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). More likely you will lose their track and it can become dangerous. There is a high chance that it damages property or even injures someone. If the device falls from the sky that is a hundred feet above, it can be very dangerous
- While flying a drone you must keep a companion with you. With their help, you can find out where the drone goes. Both the coach and flight partner must coordinate well to prevent any mishap. Your partner can notify you if there are people or animals near the area where you are going to fly
- Make sure you don’t use the drone in the middle of the night or near the airport. All the drones must be kept at least 5 miles away from crowded areas. It will prevent collision in the best possible ways
Are Drones Legal In Austria?
The national aviation authority in Austria believes that flying a drone is legal. However, they recommend being aware of the rules and regulations before doing so. It is illegal to fly a drone over or near bigger airports. Moreover, you are not allowed to use a drone in crowded areas.
Read More: Leading airline bounces back from pandemic but voices concern at new tax
How To Register A Drone In Austria?
You can register a drone by visiting the official website of the Austrian Civil aviation authority. For completing the registration process you must have a credit card, and the model and the serial number of your drone. Furthermore, you need to have the name, address, phone number, and email of the drone flyer. All light drones must be registered in Austria. If you have a heavy drone that is more than 25 kg, let the authorities know about it.
