Where I am allowed to fly drones, where not and why
The drone has become very popular in recent years, both for recreational and professional purposes. However, flying an Semi-EA is not allowed everywhere. There are specific rules and restrictions that have been created for safety, privacy and smooth operation of the airspace, there are prohibited & restricted areas.
Where am I allowed to fly a drone?
In the Open Class, you are allowed to fly:
- in areas where there are no flight restrictions,
- at a safe distance from people and property,
- always maintaining visual contact with the drone VLOS, 500m width
- and up to a maximum height of 120 m.
Usually, safe areas are considered to be:
- open fields,
- rural areas,
- remote areas without concentrations of persons, ( a concentration of persons is considered when a natural person cannot move freely in the area )
- and areas where air traffic is not affected.
Where am I not allowed to fly a drone?
There are areas where flying is prohibited or allowed only with special permission, such as camps, hospitals, airports, forest protected Natura sites, archaeological sites & more
Close to airports
Flying near airports is particularly dangerous, as manned aircraft take off and land at low altitude. A drone can cause a serious accident.
Over gatherings of people
You are not allowed to fly over crowded places such as concerts, stadiums or events, because there is an increased risk of injury in case of damage.
Military and sensitive installations
Areas such as camps, government buildings or critical infrastructure are restricted for security and national protection reasons.
Areas with geographical constraints
Some areas have been designated as SSEA geographical zones and may have:
- a complete no-fly zone,
- height restriction,
- or special operating conditions.
Why do these restrictions exist?
Restrictions are not there to make it difficult for the operator, but to protect:
- human life,
- aviation security,
- privacy,
- and the safe use of airspace.
The responsible use of drones helps the technology to continue to evolve with safety and acceptance by society, in this context is the EASA legislation. So before each flight, the pilot must check if the area is allowed for drone use and always follow the rules of the legislation through the site of the Civil Aviation Authority & more specifically on Dagr , in the link below.
https://dagr.hasp.gov.gr/
Proper preparation and responsible behaviour are the most important elements for safe and legal flights.
