FAQ
Please note that we cannot answer all questions as some of them are outside our area of responsibility. However, we can help you to find the right contacts for these questions.
What are geographical areas?
A geographical area, also known as UAS area (UAS = unmanned aircraft system), is a defined portion of the airspace in which special rules for drone flights apply. It includes airports, aerodromes and their control zones, if any. The purpose of these areas is to protect air traffic. Geographical areas also include residential properties, industrial facilities, nature reserves and hospitals, among others. In these areas, the operation of drones is restricted or subject to approval.
Please check prior to your drone flight if you are within a geographical area. Geographical areas are listed in the Map Tool on the Digital Platform for Unmanned Aviation (dipul) website.
How do I obtain a permission to conduct a drone flight in the geographical area of an airport, aerodrome or a control zone?
For flights in the geographical zones of aerodromes, you will require the permission of the aerodrome operator. For flights in the geo-zones of airports (Verkehrsflughäfen), however, you will need the approval of the competent aeronautical authority of the German federal state affected (zuständige Landesluftfahrtbehörde).
For flights within a control zone, you will also require an air traffic control clearance from the competent air traffic control service (control tower). Smaller regional airports also have a control zone.
You can obtain further information on drone flight permissions in geographical areas from the aeronautical authorities of the Federal States (Landesluftfahrtbehörden). An overview of the competent aeronautical authorities of the Federal States can be found here.
Where can I obtain an air traffic control clearance?
You obtain an air traffic control clearance from the competent air traffic control unit. There are several providers of aerodrome control services in Germany.
You can submit your application using our application form. We will process your application for airports where DFS operates. For all other control zones, we will forward your application provided we have the contact details of the competent air traffic control unit.
Are there other protected airspaces?
In addition to geographical areas, there are other protected airspaces with special rules and regulations.
These include:
- Aerodrome traffic zones (ATZ): Entry is only permitted for the purpose of landing at the respective aerodrome.
- Radio mandatory zones (RMZ): Radio contact and air-ground voice communication watch is mandatory.
- Transponder mandatory zones (TMZ): Carriage of a transponder is mandatory.
An explicit clearance from air traffic control is required to enter these airspaces. Enquiries on whether, and under what conditions, individual exemptions or letters of agreements apply must be addressed to the air traffic control unit in charge.
Please check out if there are protected airspaces in your area prior to your flight. You can find an overview on the Digital Platform for Unmanned Aviation (dipul).
What is a restricted flight area (ED-R)?
A restricted area, or ED-R for short, is a defined airspace where flights are subject to temporary or permanent restrictions. Its purpose is, among other things, to protect air traffic or objects on the ground. Permanent restricted areas are active permanently or at specific times, while temporary restricted areas are established for special events. Flying into an active restricted area without a prior transit permission is not allowed – and constitutes a criminal offence.
Please check out if there are restricted areas in your area prior to your flight. You can find an overview on the Digital Platform for Unmanned Aviation | dipul.
The application procedure for transit permissions for restricted areas can be found here (only available in German).How do I find out whether a restricted area is active?
The times of activity of permanent restricted areas are listed in the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) Germany, those of temporary restricted areas in the German-language publication Nachrichten für Luftfahrer (NfL). Changes to these times will be published via NOTAM (Notice to Airmen).
An overview of all active NOTAMs can be found:
- in the Airspace Use Plan which is available online
- by means of a free NOTAM briefing in the AIS portal of DFS
- by calling the Aeronautical Information Service (AIS-C) of DFS: +49 (0)6103 707-5500
Where do I report an unauthorised drone flight?
Drone sightings near airports or in control zones should be reported immediately to the police (110) or the respective airport security centre.
Who defines geographical zones? Can these zones change?
The geographical zones are determined by the German Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) on the basis of Section 21h of the German Aviation Regulation (LuftVO)
The geographical areas are defined in the German Aviation Regulation (Luftverkehrs-Ordnung, LuftVO). The provisions contained in the LuftVO are updated at regular intervals, which means that geographical areas can change.
Please check out the geographical areas in the area where you want to fly prior to every flight. You can find an overview on the Digital Platform for Unmanned Aviation (dipul).
I have questions about the Droniq app or dipul (Map Tool)
If you have any questions about the Droniq app, please contact Droniq GmbH. You can find an FAQ list about the Droniq app here.
Information on dipul can be found on the dipul website of the German Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMV).