Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section. Here, we address common queries about our DroneOps Platform, providing clear and concise answers for drone pilots.

Whether you’re planning your first drone flight, navigating restricted areas, or managing airspace operations, this page serves as a quick reference to help you get started and resolve any doubts.

If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, feel free to reach out to us! Our team is here to assist you.

General questions

DroneOps is a planning and documentation platform for drone pilots in Romania. It helps you:

  • visualise UAS geographic zones, CTRs and other restrictions on an interactive map,
  • create and store flight plans (missions),
  • generate Annex 1 / Annex 2 PDFs when required,
  • share the annex with the relevant authorities using your own email client,
  • keep a clear history of your past operations.

DroneOps does not issue flight approvals and does not replace your legal obligations as a UAS operator or remote pilot. All approvals are granted directly by ATC and other authorities, usually by email.

Yes, you need to create an account and log in to access the main functionality, such as creating missions, generating Annex 1 / 2 PDFs, signing them, and keeping your flight history.

Flight approvals themselves are granted directly by ATC and other authorities, based on the emails and annexes you send them.

Getting started

  1. Register as a drone operator with the Romanian Civil Aviation Authority.
  2. Complete the examination on the aforementioned website to obtain your drone operator license.
  3. Create an account on DroneOps Platform, plan your missions, generate the required annexes and keep a log of your flights.

No, you do not need to be a registered drone operator with the Romanian Civil Aviation Authority to use the platform. However, you must register to legally operate your drone.

No, you do not need a pilot license to use the platform. However, you must obtain a pilot license to legally operate your drone.

To create your account, go to the registration page and fill in the required details such as your name, email, phone number, and country. You will also need to verify your email address before accessing the platform.

Mission planning

To plan a drone mission, follow these steps:

  1. Decide where and when you want to fly (date, time window, altitude, category, mode).
  2. Determine the type of flight: "Open", "Specific", or "Certified" according to EU regulations.
  3. Use the DroneOps map to check CTRs, runway protection areas, UAS geographic zones and other restrictions.
  4. Create a mission in DroneOps and draw your intended flight area (polygon or circle).
  5. If your mission requires notification or approval (e.g. operations in CTR), generate the appropriate Annex (1 or 2), sign it and send it by email to the responsible units (ATC).

The platform helps you prepare and document your flight, but the final decision (approval, conditions, or rejection) is always communicated by the authorities, usually by email.

The different colored polygons on the map represent restricted areas in Romania. These may include:

  • CTR (Control Zones) managed by the ATC
  • Airport's runway protection areas, managed by the ATC
  • Military Zones: These areas are not managed by DroneOps. You will need to obtain approval directly from the military or the responsible authority.
  • NOTAMs

Restricted areas are displayed as polygons on the map. You can click on the polygons to see more details, such as the restriction type, altitude limits, and contact information. Use the filter options to toggle the visibility of specific types of restrictions, such as CTRs or military zones.

NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen/Air mission) are official notifications issued to alert pilots of potential hazards along a flight route or at a location that could affect the safety of the flight. Here is an example of a NOTAM and how to decode its most relevant information:

        NOTAM ID: M0422/2025
        (M0422/25 NOTAMN
        Q) LRBB/QWELW/IV/BO /W /000/105/4509N02434E150
        A) LRBB B) 2501240600 C) 2501242200
        E) NAVIGATION WARNING.
        MIL FLT WILL TAKE PLACE INTO AN AREA BOUNDED BY 5NM EITHER SIDE
        OF A STRAIGHT LINE CONNECTING THE FLW POINTS OF COORD:
        442332N0274336E-453346N0272307E-451917N0275213E-451416N0273818E
        452654N0271319E-455122N0264629E-451300N0265800E-453440N0255602E
        461339N0242314E-463015N0235320E-471611N0245425E-462304N0245800E
        462108N0230439E-463244N0230040E-455300N0225400E-454150N0215450E
        454900N0212000E-454150N0215450E-453633N0225721E-450600N0242300E
        450700N0254400E-451300N0265800E-443800N0274600E-442332N0274336E
        FLT WILL BE COOR BTN CIV AND MIL ATC
        F) 500FT AGL G) FL105)
                    

Here is how to decode the most relevant information:

  • Field B: 2501240600 - Start date and time in UTC (24th January 2025, 06:00 UTC)
  • Field C: 2501242200 - End date and time in UTC (24th January 2025, 22:00 UTC)
  • Field E: Description of the NOTAM
  • Field F: 500FT AGL - Lower limit (500 feet above ground level)
  • Field G: FL105 - Upper limit (Flight level 105 = 10500ft)

Flight Approvals and Restrictions

It is not forbidden to fly into restricted areas, but it requires proper authorization. Doing so without authorization may result in penalties or legal action. Always check the map for restricted areas and ensure that your mission request complies with the regulations.

No, you cannot fly into restricted areas without proper authorization. Doing so may result in penalties or legal action. Always check the map for restricted areas and ensure that your mission request complies with the regulations.

Yes, you must submit a mission request even if your intended flight area is not within a restricted zone. It is always required to send a mission request before flying to ensure compliance with regulations and to maintain safety.

Navigate to the "New Flight" section in your dashboard. Fill in the required information, such as the flight area, altitude, start time, duration, and a brief description of your mission. Ensure that your mission request complies with the airspace restrictions shown on the map.

DroneOps does not issue approvals and does not send automatic requests on your behalf from the mobile app. Instead, it helps you prepare the correct documentation (Annex 1 / 2) so that you can contact the authorities yourself.

A typical process for operations that intersect a CTR looks like this:

  1. Plan in DroneOps: Create a mission with area, altitude, start time, duration and category.
  2. Generate Annex: If the mission intersects a CTR, DroneOps can generate the required Annex (1 or 2) as a PDF.
  3. Sign Annex: You can add a digital signature (on web or in the mobile app), so the document is complete.
  4. Send by email: You download or share the PDF from DroneOps and send it yourself by email to the ATC unit and any other authorities indicated in the restriction details.
  5. Wait for reply: ATC (and/or other authorities) will reply to your email with approval, conditions or rejection. Only after you receive this email and comply with all conditions you may fly.

For CTR operations, please consult the official ROMATSA procedure (Proceduri privind operarea UAS in CTR).

Important
  • DroneOps does not replace legal requirements from EASA / CAA / ROMATSA / MApN.
  • Do not fly until you receive an email approval from ATC and any other required authority.
  • Keep the email approval available during the operation (as proof of authorization and conditions).

After you send the Annex and any required documentation by email, the responsible ATC unit (and/or other authorities) will reply to you by email with their decision.

If your mission intersects a CTR, look for an email from ATC containing the approval, conditions or rejection. For missions outside CTR, follow your legal obligations in the "open", "specific" or "certified" category and respect any restrictions shown on the map.

Once your flight is approved by the ATC, you should take off according to the selected start date and time. However, you must call the ATC before taking off to confirm your flight. Additionally, you must call the ATC again once your flight is completed to inform them that the flight has ended.

If your mission intersects with areas like military zones, DroneOps will show you that additional approvals are required, but it does not contact those authorities for you.

In such cases, you must use the contact details shown on the map or in the restriction description and obtain explicit approval from the responsible authority before flying.

For operations in the "specific" or "certified" category you must also comply with the requirements and authorisations of the Romanian Civil Aviation Authority (AACR).

When your mission intersects with non-platform restrictions (e.g., military zones), DroneOps will show the contact details of the responsible authority in the restriction details.

You must contact them yourself and request approval before flying. DroneOps does not send these requests automatically.

For military areas in Romania, please also check aerofoto.mapn.ro.

Your flight may have been rejected due to operational reasons. The ATC might expect some manned air traffic in the area during your intended flight time.

Review the rejection notification for specific details and make the necessary adjustments before resubmitting your mission request.

No, you cannot fly if your mission request has been rejected. You must address the reasons for the rejection and resubmit your mission request for approval. Unauthorized flights may result in legal consequences or safety risks. Always wait for mission approval before flying.

No, you cannot modify or cancel a submitted mission request. If you need to make changes, you must cancel the current flight and submit a new mission request with the updated details. If you no longer intend to fly, you can simply delete the approved flight.