Today, the long-awaited Royal Decree was published in the Official Gazette. This marks the first step toward the new European legislation.
We’re all supposed to read the Official Gazette, so here it is.
In summary, and important to remember: (source: FPS Mobility and Transport)
Effective December 31, 2020:
- All UAS operators—that is, individuals who wish to operate drones—must first register for free with the Directorate General for Civil Aviation of the Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport (DGLV);
- Remote pilots must be at least 14 years old (with the exception of individuals using a “toy” drone, i.e., a UAS that complies with EU standards applicable to toys) to fly in the “open” category under certain conditions. To be a remote pilot in the “specific” category, you must be at least 16 years old;
- Before they can fly, remote pilots who wish to fly only in the “open” category must complete a theoretical training course and pass a multiple-choice test—all of which is made available online and free of charge by the DGLV;
- Flights must be conducted in accordance with Regulation (EU) No. 2019/947 and in accordance with the conditions established for the geographic UAS zones, i.e., the airspaces in which UAS operations are prohibited, restricted, or subject to prior flight authorization;
- All operators must have adequate insurance based on the drone’s weight and operating category (either third-party liability insurance or insurance that complies with the provisions of Regulation (EC) No. 785/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of April 21, 2004, on insurance requirements for air carriers and aircraft operators).
- Current remote pilots who have gained experience under the system established by the Royal Decree of April 10, 2016, regarding the use of unmanned aircraft in Belgian airspace, are eligible for certain exemptions regarding the training required for the “open” category.
To ensure a smooth transition and the continuity of operations after December 31, 2020, the DGLV reminds operators that the certificates and licenses of RPA pilots, as well as Class 1 certifications and authorizations, remain valid for all activities conducted under current operational conditions until no later than January 1, 2022. Of course, operators are free to carry out activities in the “open” or “specific” categories as of December 31, 2020, provided they meet the applicable conditions.
