Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Drones have become extremely popular all over the world. The popularity of drones has also reached Belgium and the locals love to fly drones. Drone flying has become common and this is why countries have set some rules and regulations for drone flying. According to Belgium’s national aviation and travel authorities, the Federal Public Service Mobility & Transport (FPS) and the Belgian Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA), it is legal to fly a drone in Belgium.
It is important to become aware of the rules for flying drones in Belgium safely. We recommend drone pilots be aware of the rules for flying in Belgium. It is also important to comply with the drone regulations for flying drones in this region.
Rules For Flying A Drone For Travelers In Belgium
If you are traveling to Belgium and want to bring your drone for flying in the region, then you must be registered in the Belgian aviation register. If your drone is already registered in another country, then you don’t have to register your drone again.
Rules For Flying a Drone Within the European Union
Belgium is a part of the European Union and you must abide by the drone regulations set in the European Union. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has set a few country-specific regulations.
Here are the most important rules that you must know for flying a drone within the European Union. Some operational categories will determine the drone regulations. The rules may differ on the weight of the drone and the intention for drone flying.
- A drone can operate in the “Open “category if:
- The drone should have class identification labels 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4.
- The drone you intend to fly must be purchased before 1 January 2023. It should have no class identification label.
- The drone should have a maximum take-off mass of less than 25 kg (55 lbs).
- The remote pilot should keep the drone away from people.
- The drone cannot be operated above people. The class identification label should be lighter than 250 g (0.55 lbs).
- The remote pilot should maintain a visual line of sight (VLOS).
- If you are an operating pilot, then you must fly the drone above 120m (400ft).
- The drone you are flying must not carry any dangerous goods and should not drop any material
General Rules & Licensing Requirements For Flying A Drone In Belgium
If you are planning to travel to Belgium anytime soon it is best to know about the drone laws. The drone pilots like to take pictures of exotic locations and store them as a memory. You will be delighted to know that drone flying is legal in Belgium. According to our research, Belgium doesn’t have any general rules set for flying drones in Belgium. However, there are three different classes of operation. You need to have a license for each one of these classes:
1. Class 1a Operations
Under the class 1a operation you need a license for the following:
- If you want to fly a drone for up to 300 feet above the ground that is outside the airspace
- You cannot come closer than 50 meters from people or general goods on the ground. The drone flyer must not overfly any of them
- If you will fly around an obstacle that is closer than 30m you need to get a license
- Drone operations are allowed to carry out in the daytime only
2. Class 1b Operations
Under class 1b operations, you need a license for the following:
- When you want to fly a drone around 90 meters above the ground or outside the airspace
- You plan to fly a drone 164 feet near people or on the ground
- Make sure all such operations take place in the daylight
- Your drone must weigh lesser than 330lbs that is 150kg
- Operations can only occur in daylight.
- The drone weighs less than 330 lbs (150kg)
- Being a drone pilot you must maintain a particular line of sight with the drone all the time
Read More: Why is Western Europe so Densely Populated?
3. Class 2 Operations
You need to get a license for class two operation under the following conditions:
- Drone flyers who wish to fly higher than 150 feet above the ground
- If you want to fly a drone outside the airspace or the city or community
- Drone operations can be carried out in the daytime only
- Your drone must weigh less than 11lb that is five kg
- The drone pilot has to maintain a visual line of site with the drone
