The end of drones in Belgium?

Life is becoming pretty difficult for drones lover in Belgium: apparently the department of air transports in Belgium has either approved a new law or a new interpretation of an old one, which equiparates drones to any other RC aircraft: under that interpretation, drones can only take off from approved terrains, and can only go maximum 400m from the RC club, and must stay at more than 200m from any building.

That means that basically autonomous drones like Arducopter can do autonomous missions only inside the air space of the RC club, so they cannot even be tested in your own garden. This is even a bigger threat to other "toy drones" like Ar.Drone, because I doubt people that buy such "toys" will ever join a RC club (which might cost a few hundreds euro per year).

The article cites that the main problem is the protection of privacy since all drones are equipped with cameras and might pictures.

Here is the link to article that discusses about that topic: Drones à usage civil en Belgique : interdiction de décoller depuis ... (in French, sorry).

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Comment by Tilman Baumann on September 10, 2012 at 7:43am

This is obviously about privacy concerns and perhaps safety (because of the unmanned aspect)

Personally I don't see why the RC model plane regulation was not sufficient. There are laws that govern privacy and snooping on people. Just implement them. No need for further regulation.

Also unsafe flying is per definition illegal. (Flying over people and other stupid ideas)

And when it comes down to it, everyone is responsible for his actions. If you crash a plane, drone or flying beer bottle onto someone or someone's property you will have to bear the consequences.

Comment by Tilman Baumann on September 10, 2012 at 7:44am

PS: Mandatory insurance sounds like a great idea. Also for model airplane pilots.

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