Drone knowledge
What needs to be considered in North Rhine-Westphalia?
There is no general ruling in NRW.
Further information can be found at the North Rhine-Westphalia State Aviation Authority. This is divided into 2 institutions:
(The registered office of the company or the place of residence for private individuals is decisive) The Düsseldorf district government is responsible for the administrative districts of Düsseldorf and Cologne. The district government of Münster is responsible for the administrative districts of Arnsberg, Detmold and Münster.
There are also additional provisions for the whole of North Rhine-Westphalia, which make some regulations a little clearer.
If planned flights in the "open" category are subject to authorisation, an individual or general operating permit must be applied for. The Münster district government provides this form for this purpose. A different form is required in the district government's area of responsibility.
If an operating licence for the "special" category is required for the planned flight, in accordance with §21b LuftVO, an application for an operating licence (SORA) must be submitted to the LBA. Further information on the operating categories can be found here. For an application to the LBA in the special category, you need the general application form as well as the specific SORA form.
There is a general ruling on the granting of air traffic control authorisations. These are intended for drone flights in control zones of airports with German Air Traffic Control (DFS) and state that flights up to an altitude of 50 metres are possible without permission.
(Status: 05.01.24)