Drone season is starting – remember the basic rules of flying

If a drone weighs 250 grams or more, or it is equipped with a camera or other sensors capable of storing personal data, the user must register as an operator. The remote pilot is responsible for the flying of the drone. The operator and remote pilot can be the same person. An operator can also be responsible for more than one remote pilot. 

Depending on the drone used and the environment, the pilot may have to complete the online theory examination and familiarize themselves with the rules of flying. Right now there are over 17,800 registered drone operators and over 27,000 remote pilots.

“Remember to make sure before the start of the flying season that your operator period is still valid and your operator registration number is attached to the side of the drone. The drone itself does not have to be registered with Traficom. If you change your drone or acquire more drones, the same operator registration number can be used for all of them, given that it is valid,” says Senior Inspector Mikko Liukkonen.

A drone operator registered in Finland can fly their drone in other EU member states as well. Flying without registering as an operator is illegal. If you fly without registering, you will be guilty of an aviation violation.

Check your drone after the winter

After winter storage, you should check your drone carefully before and during the first flight. The winter storage area should be a warm and dry place indoors. A damp and cold open storage area can harm, for example, the electric systems of the drone. 

“The first flight should be flown carefully, especially if it has been a long time since the last flight, so that the drone stays under control reliably. Make sure the motors and propellers are in order and keep an eye on the functioning of the batteries. Update the software of the drone if necessary, and make sure the geo-awareness function works if the drone is equipped with one,” Liukkonen says.

During spring, it is also worth to take into account nature and animals. It is advised to avoid flying a drone near the nesting areas of birds from April to July.

Test where you can fly

With Traficom’s test, you can find out where and with what requirements you can fly an already bought drone or a drone you are about to acquire. There were changes to the flying of drones at the start of this year when the transition period for the drone regulation ended. 

From the beginning of the year, new drones to be placed on the market must be labelled with a class C rating in order to be used in the so-called open category. However, the regulation allows the use of a drone that is already in use or has been placed on the market to continue.

“Check and always make sure you know the more detailed rules on Traficom’s droneinfo.fi page,” Liukkonen reminds.

More information on the test, safe flying, registration and completing the examination can be found at droneinfo.fi (External link).