Starting from said date the Estonian Transport Administration will no longer issue flight approvals. They will be replaced by a map application which must be used, as per the GPUA, in order to check prior to flying the flight restrictions and requirements applicable in the corresponding zone. The obligation to check Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) prior to each flight will also remain in force. All flights must take place according to the open category rules (except for the specific category operators).
The map application is an informative tool showing permanent restrictions applicable in the Estonian airspace, which will not exempt a remote pilot from liability if a flight takes place without meeting one or several requirements arising from the law.
Estonian Air Navigation Services (Lennuliiklusteenindus AS) has established height limits which are safe to manned aviation. These can be checked using the map application and they must be adhered to. Application can be found here.
When flying an unmanned aircraft, the height limits applicable to corresponding zones must be followed. Flights must take place in accordance with the open category rules, and height limits are applicable in the corresponding zones around the clock. If an operator wishes to exceed the height limit or be exempt from any other open category rules, they must hold an operational authorisation issued in the specific category.
There are also several helipads in Tallinn. Special requirements apply to flights close to them. Around helipads where there may occur manned air traffic, a remote pilot must inform the air traffic controller of the Tallinn Tower (tel. 625 8260) of any flights of unmanned aircraft. Zones to which the notification obligation applies can be found on the map application.
Furthermore, the Tallinn Control Zone includes security zones marked in brown. Additional information regarding them can be found under the “Security Zones” section.
In close proximity to the airport, unmanned aircraft may, from now on, only be flown under a specific category operational authorisation. This zone can be found on the map application where it is indicated as a zone with the maximum height limit of 0 metres.
EEGZ19
In order to fly an unmanned aircraft within the EEGZ19 geographical zone of the Ämari Air Base, you must hold an authorisation issued by the Ämari Air Base. A corresponding request is to be sent to the security division of the Air Base (Kv.s.ov.julgeolek@mil.ee) for approval at least 5 working ahead of planned flight. The security division will decide whether to permit the flight or not and reply to the person requesting such authorisation.
The request must include the following information:
1) name, personal identification code or registry code, telephone number and email address of the operator;
2) name and personal identification code of the remote pilot;
3) flight location with geodetic coordinates, flight area or flight point with radius;
4) requested flight height above the ground or water level;
5) date and beginning and end times of the flight;
6) contingency plan for ensuring air safety in the event that control over the unmanned aircraft is lost;
7) type, brand and registration mark of the unmanned aircraft;
8) make and serial number of the unmanned aircraft;
9) purpose of the flight;
10) notation on whether two-way radio contact is possible.
Ämari Air Base requires applicant to add map of requested location to the application, which would make air traffic controller’s job easier when you ask for permission to start your flight. Otherwise, if there is higher workload, then Ämari air traffic controller has right to refuse to allow the start of your flight.
EEGZ20 and EEGZ21
When flying an unmanned aircraft in zones EEGZ20 and EEGZ21 of the Ämari Control Zone, notification thereof must be given to the Ämari Air Base at least 5 working ahead of planned flight. A corresponding declaration is to be sent to the email address of air traffic controllers at airbase-atc@mil.ee and to the email address of the security division at Kv.s.ov.julgeolek@mil.ee.
The request must include the following information:
1) name, personal identification code or registry code, telephone number and email address of the operator;
2) name and personal identification code of the remote pilot;
3) flight location with geodetic coordinates, flight area or flight point with radius;
4) requested flight height above the ground or water level;
5) date and beginning and end times of the flight;
6) contingency plan for ensuring air safety in the event that control over the unmanned aircraft is lost;
7) type, brand and registration mark of the unmanned aircraft;
8) make and serial number of the unmanned aircraft;
9) purpose of the flight;
10) notation on whether two-way radio contact is possible.
Ämari Air Base requires applicant to add map of requested location to the application, which would make air traffic controller’s job easier when you ask for permission to start your flight. Otherwise, if there is higher workload, then Ämari air traffic controller has right to refuse to allow the start of your flight.
SAID NOTICE MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
If conditions set by the Ämari Air Base are met (obtaining an authorisation or providing a declaration), the remote pilot may fly the unmanned aircraft as per the open class rules and by following the height limits indicated by the Estonian Transport Administration as applicable in the vicinity of airports. If an operator wishes to exceed the height limit or be exempt from any other open category rules, they must hold an operational authorisation issued in the specific category.
IN THE ÄMARI CONTROL ZONE, EACH FLIGHT MUST ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Prior to the operation of an unmanned aircraft, a permit must be obtained from the air traffic controller of the Ämari Tower (tel. 7173415).
- The air traffic controller may postpone the desired beginning of the operation considering the traffic situation.
- The air traffic controller may ground the unmanned aircraft for a necessary period of time considering the traffic situation if this is deemed required.
- The remote pilot must immediately inform the air traffic controller of loss of communication with the unmanned aircraft and of it flying uncontrollably.
- The remote pilot must inform the air traffic controller (tel. 7173415) each time the flying of unmanned aircraft ends.
When flying an unmanned aircraft, the height limits applicable to corresponding zones must be followed. Flights must take place in accordance with the open category rules, and height limits are applicable in the corresponding zones around the clock. The height limit in these zones is generally 120 metres; however, in the vicinity of an airport, lower limits apply. If an operator wishes to exceed the height limit or be exempt from any other open category rules, they must hold an operational authorisation issued in the specific category.
In Kuressaare, Kärdla and Pärnu, there are hospital helipads. Around helipads, manned air traffic may take place and therefore information about manned air traffic must be obtained from a corresponding flight information officer during the latter’s office hours prior to the flight of unmanned aircraft. Outside of office hours, there is no obligation to request information; office hours can be found from NOTAMs. Contacts and zones to which the notification obligation applies can be found from the map application.
In close proximity to airports, unmanned aircraft may, from now on, only be flown under a specific category operational authorisation. These zones can be found on the map application where they are indicated as zones with the maximum height limit of 0 metres.
As of 8 September 2022, there are geographical zones where the flying of unmanned aircraft is restricted. Such geographical zones were established in order to limit the flying of unmanned aircraft for the purposes of ensuring national security, law and order and environmental protection. The objective of the restrictions is to minimise potential risks which may accompany the flying of an unidentified unmanned aircraft over certain objects or in their close proximity. The aim is also to minimise potential extraordinary incidences and to mitigate risks to the protection of objects and locations related to national and internal security.
- Flight restrictions applicable to aircraft, and geographical zones where unmanned aircraft flights are limited (link to regulation)
Security zones are marked in brown on the map. Environmental protection zones are marked in green on the map. Each zone requires a flight authorisation issued by the holder of the corresponding zone. The holder of the zone and their contact details can be found in the map application under information concerning the corresponding zone.
If an authorisation by the holder of the zone is obtained, the remote pilot may operate the flight according to the open class rules and by following the height limits indicated by the Estonian Transportat Administration as applicable in the vicinity of airports. If an operator wishes to exceed the height limit or be exempt from any other open category rules, they must hold an operational authorisation issued in the specific category.
Please note! Height limits applicable to the security zones may differ from zone height limits set by the Estonian Transport Administration. The limits indicated by the Estonian Transport Administration must be followed.
In order to apply for an authorisation required for flights in geographical zones where the flying of unmanned aircraft is restricted, a written request in a free format must be submitted, including the following information:
The holder of the geographical zone will decide whether to grant the authorisation or not within five business days of receiving a proper request.
If geographical zones overlap, an authorisation regarding all of the zones must be requested.
Last updated: 05.08.2023