Netherlands

Contribution by the KNVvL-modelvliegsport (Koninklijke Nederlandse Vereniging voor Luchtvaart / Royal Dutch Association of Aviation) and the FLRCV (Federatie van Limburgse RC Vliegers / Federation of RC pilots in Limburg) (last updated on 02/4/2024)

Summary

In The Netherlands, the recreational operation of unmanned aircraft is covered by the law “Regeling Modelvliegen” (Model Flying Regulation). This law will remain in force during the period until 01-10-2024, although slightly expanded. The major change on 31-12-2020 has been the requirement of registration of the operator: pilots or clubs. Pilots, when not flying at clubs, will have to follow a dedicated training and examination under EU-regulation.

The government together with the associations have further detailed the new law and the Article 16 authorization that will become valid from 08-04-2024 onwards. A 6-month transition period has been agreed to allow clubs to obtain their authorization.

There is no provision to fly model aircraft weighing more than 25 kg.

Implementing the new EU rules

Situation until 01-10-2024

(This part refers to the national law that will also remain valid in the period until 01-10-2024)

Flying model airplanes recreationally is in principle allowed anywhere in airspace class G, provided permission of the owner of the terrain.

Flying model airplanes is covered by national law, the “Regeling Modelvliegen”, which will remain valid until 01-10-2024. According to this law it is not allowed to:

  • fly model aircraft over 25 kg.
  • fly higher than 120m AGL in airspace G (except on sites of member clubs of one of the three Associations KNVvL, FLRCV or SNMV: there the height limit is 300m AGL in class G)
  • fly over assemblies of persons, over residential, industrial or port areas and not over railway lines or paved public roads (except roads in 30km/h zones within city-limits and roads in 60km/h areas outside city-limits).
  • fly during the “aeronautic night”
  • fly within a 3km radius from an uncontrolled aerodrome

Furthermore:

  • all other air-traffic has right of way
  • when flying FPV an observer is mandatory.
  • In military low-flying areas in airspace class G an observer is mandatory. In airspace class C or D specific rules are to be agreed upon in a covenant with Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL)
  • Inside Air Traffic Zones (ATZs) of military aerodromes (Airspace Class D) that allow flying model aircraft the height limit might be increased to 450m above ground provided separation has been agreed.
  • A map with current flight restrictions can be consulted at: https://www.godrone.nl

When using cameras or recording equipment privacy rules must be respected.

Pilots who fly at model airfields and at dedicated sites need to register themselves from 01-01-2021 onwards and put their registration number on their models. Model airplane clubs can also register as operator and their members can fly under this umbrella.  The registration cost will be € 23 per pilot and then € 13 for a yearly prolongation thereafter.

There are currently no age restrictions or registration requirements for the recreational operation of unmanned aircraft in The Netherlands. A certificate of competence is not required; the associations however do issue a certificate after a successful flight examination (without a check on theoretical knowledge). A personal liability insurance is not required; the associations however either have a liability insurance for their members or require their members to have a household liability insurance that covers flying with model airplanes.

There is no requirement to be a member of a club or association. This is not likely to change following the implementation of the new EU rules.

No permit is required for the operation of model aircraft up until the maximum allowed weight of 25kg.

Situation from 08-04-2024 onwards

The government agreed to use Article 16 of EU Regulation 947 as the basis for further implementation, which resulted in a new law “Regeling modelluchtvaartuigclubs of -verenigingen” (Regulation model flying clubs or associations):.

According to the new law:

  • The restrictions that were valid under the old law will remain valid under the new law, with exception of flying during the “aeronautic night”, for which a separate authorization can be obtained.
  • An authorization will be issued only when the model flying club or association declares to comply with the conditions as specified in the new law.

The authorization specifics:

  • The cost for obtaining an authorization will amount to € 249.
  • The authorization will be valid indefinitely.
  • The authorization allows model flying in an area with a radius of 0,5 nautical miles from the center of their model airfield.
  • 4 times a year a permission to fly outside the model airfield with the same radius restriction can be obtained under NOTAM.
  • Clubs will provide to the Authorities their club- and site regulations to which their members have to adhere.
  • A pilot below the age of 10 is only allowed to fly under supervision of a certified pilot of 18 years or older.
  • A non-certified pilot is only allowed to fly under supervision of a certified instructor.
  • All model airplanes have to be assessed for airworthiness before being used.
  • Incidents and accidents have to be reported.

Note that between 08-04 2024 and 01-10-2024 the previous Regulation remain applicable to provide time for all clubs to go through the necessary steps required under the new rules.

Flying outside this framework will only be possible in the “open category”, requiring a dedicated training and examination. Costs to obtain such training examination in the Netherlands are in between € 60 and € 100, depending on which recognized training institute one chooses. Certificates obtained in other EASA countries are also valid in the Netherlands.

Associations

In The Netherlands two aeromodelling associations are active:

A temporary 3rd semi-association, the SNMV, has been set up for the sole purpose of representing the clubs outside the 2 mentioned associations in the discussions with the government.

Further information and useful links

A list of airfields and clubs can be found under:

The government website with current legislation for flying model airplanes can be found under:

Official government information for visiting pilots