Specialist in thermal analysis, precision mapping, and high-end industrial aerial inspections.
Category: Drone World & Innovation
In this category, we explore the broader drone world: regulations, certifications, software like WebODM, and cutting-edge innovations such as AI. We also cover notable trends and stories from the drone industry.
At DroneView.be, we see every day how powerful drone imagery can be — not only for creating impressive photos, but especially for delivering practical insights. Thanks to WebODM, we can turn raw aerial photos into clear maps, 3D models, and measurable data. This opens the door to applications across many sectors: from real estate and construction to agriculture and technical inspections. In this article, you’ll discover how versatile drone mapping really is, and where you can use it.
Selling a property goes faster and easier when you present it visually in an attractive way. With WebODM we can:
create a 3D scan of a house or apartment
set up a virtual tour of a property so buyers can explore online
generate floor plans and measurements from aerial images
For real estate agents and developers this is a huge asset: it saves time, provides a clearer picture, and makes a property much more appealing online.
Keywords: 3D house scan, virtual home tour, selling property with drones
Example of a 3D villa viewable online through our Real Estate 3D Scan service
In recent weeks, drones have been spotted at sensitive locations across several European countries – from airports to energy infrastructures. In some cases, fingers were pointed towards Russia, although this remains unconfirmed.
What is clear is that governments are taking these incidents seriously. In Belgium too, drone surveillance is being tightened, especially near airports, military zones, ports, and border areas. In risk zones, authorities can now detect, intercept, or even disable drones more quickly.
What does this mean for regular drone pilots?
For both recreational and professional pilots, the rules remain the same — as long as you are properly registered and operate within the allowed zones.
However, it is now more important than ever to check before each flight whether you are allowed to fly and to request authorisation in time when operating in controlled or risk areas.
Step-by-step: how to check where you can fly in Belgium
Orange zones: specific conditions apply (altitude limits or prior authorisation)
Red zones: restricted or prohibited areas (CTR, military sites, nuclear plants…)
You can select either Open category or Specific category at the top, depending on your certification.
2. Check temporary restrictions (NOTAMs)
Some areas may be temporarily restricted for events, state visits, or military exercises.
Always check the NOTAMs via the skeyes AIM-METEO briefing.
Alternatively, use EAD Basic (EUROCONTROL) – free registration required.
If you need to operate in a controlled or military zone, submit your request via the DAA planner.
Drones are becoming increasingly popular in Belgium. They’re used for photography, video, inspections, mapping and even as a hobby. But many people still wonder: where can you fly, do you need to register, what are the rules, and what are the penalties if you don’t comply?
Vliegen met een drone in België kan een dure hobby worden als je de regels niet kent. Met boetes tot €10.000 en een verplichte registratie is een goede voorbereiding cruciaal.
This guide answers the most frequently asked questions about drone use in Belgium in 2026.
Looking for a worry-free drone solution?
Does the regulation seem complex, or do you want to ensure 100% legal, professional results for your business or project? At Droneview.be, we handle all the paperwork, flight permits, and insurance for you.
Streamline your site management with accurate 3D mapping.
Can you film freely with a drone?
Not entirely.
For private use it’s usually fine, provided you respect privacy.
For public places or commercial purposes, GDPR applies. At Droneview, we operate strictly according to these privacy laws for projects like real estate photography.
Drones under 250g, such as the DJI Mini series, fall into the least restrictive category.
No pilot license is required, but registration is mandatory (due to the camera).
While great for travel, these drones lack the sensors needed for professional tasks like thermal inspection of solar panels, where specialized industrial drones are necessary.
How high can you fly a drone in Belgium?
The maximum height is 120 metres.
Higher flights are only possible with special authorisation (SORA application). We regularly handle these permits for large-scale technical projects.
What are the penalties for breaking the rules?
Penalties can be heavy:
Flying in a no-fly zone: up to €10,000.
Flying without registration or license: €500 – €2,500.
What if a drone flies above my house or garden?
Stay calm – you are not allowed to intervene yourself.
Note details – time, drone type, and try to find the pilot.
Report it to the local police if you feel your privacy is being violated.
Is drone insurance mandatory in Belgium?
For professional use, liability insurance is mandatory.
You can rent a drone, but keep in mind insurance requirements and flight experience.
For professional projects, it’s often more cost-effective to hire a certified operator like DroneView.be. This eliminates the need for expensive equipment, software licenses, and time-consuming permit applications.
Do I need a drone license in Belgium?
It depends on the type of drone and the category of flight.
No license for drones under 250 g.
Online exam required for the Open Category (A1-A3).
Special flights often require STS or SORA authorisation.
Drones open up exciting possibilities, but the administrative and technical burden for professional use is significant. Want to ensure you avoid risks and receive high-quality data?
At DroneView.be, we strongly believe in collaboration within the Belgian drone sector. Professional pilots, training centers, insurers, and authorities all benefit from clear communication and united representation.
In early 2025, we decided to join the Belgian Drone Federation (BDF), convinced that an active federation could help move the sector forward.
Six months later, we regret to conclude that the federation appears to have gone completely silent.
What Membership Should Offer
According to the BDF’s official website, an annual membership of €199 (excl. VAT) should include:
Representation and advocacy for the drone sector
Networking with fellow professionals and entrepreneurs
Four newsletters per year
Free access to webinars
Discounts on BDF events and Van Dessel drone insurance
First-line advice on Open A1/A3, Open A2 & Specific categories
Company listing on the BDF website
Invitations to PRO events and roundtable sessions
On paper, a solid offer for professional drone operators.
The Reality
Unfortunately, the reality is quite different.
Since joining in March 2025, we have only received an automatic payment confirmation — no newsletters, no invitations, no updates, no communication at all.
After several attempts to reach out — via email, social media, and directly to board members — we received no reply. Even simple questions went unanswered.
After six months, it seems clear that the federation has ceased to operate actively.
At DroneView.be, we do more than capture spectacular aerial photos. We transform drone imagery into measurable, actionable data for our clients. Traditional inspections and land surveys, especially across vast areas like quarries, are time-consuming, risky, and often inaccurate. Our recent project in a quarry perfectly illustrates how drone mapping streamlines this process. From 1,750 individual photos, we created an interactive 3D model, enabling the client to easily perform volume calculations and efficiently manage the site.
Case Study: Precision in the Quarry
The Project: Our client, a quarry operator, needed an accurate, up-to-date overview for material management and strategic planning. Covering more than 100 hectares, manual surveying was impossible. DroneView.be conducted a series of automated drone flights, resulting in a dataset of 1,750 images.
Our Approach: Mission Flights
For a site of this size, preparation is crucial. We plan about ten mission flights, partly from the office and partly on-site. Each flight is carefully configured to systematically capture the entire area with proper overlap. The structured pattern ensures that all images can later be seamlessly processed into one complete 3D model in WebODM.
Red, White & Drone: Is the Trump Drone Really on Its Way?
In a world where marketing often speaks louder than technology, something curious just took off in the American media landscape: the Trump Phone. Yes, the president (or at least his sons) launched their own smartphone—complete with a mobile network. And while the tech world was choking on its coffee, we at Droneview.be couldn’t help but wonder: is a Trump Drone next?
The Trump Phone: Patriotism in a Chinese Package
First, claim that American companies are too powerful. Then attack the competition. And finally launch your own “Made in the USA” smartphone… which turns out to be made in China. Welcome to the Trump Phone: an overpriced Android device drenched in patriotic flair and marketing that promises more than it delivers.
If you fly drones, you’ll eventually deal with geo-zones — defined areas in the airspace where flying is restricted. What many drone pilots don’t know: in 2024, DJI loosened its geofencing system. In this article, we explain what geo-zones are, how they work in Belgium, and what’s changed in DJI’s Fly app.
What Are Geo-Zones? Geo-zones are areas where drone flights are limited to ensure the safety of airports, military sites, and populated zones. Some are completely restricted, others require authorization or additional precautions.
In Belgium, these zones are defined by national aviation authorities and published on platforms like Droneguide.be. DJI integrates these restrictions into its drones via a geofencing system.
In the world of professional drone operations, everything revolves around precision, safety, and efficiency. A mission flight — an automated flight — enables a drone to follow a pre-programmed route with pinpoint accuracy. This technology opens the door to precise inspections, consistent imaging, and structured data collection. In this article, we explain why mission flights are so valuable, how to set them up correctly, and how Droneview.be uses them to deliver maximum value.
At DroneView.be, we frequently receive questions about drone licences, regulations, and what is or isn’t allowed when flying a drone in Belgium. And with good reason—information is often scattered, outdated, or incomplete. That’s why we decided to publish this comprehensive, up-to-date article to explain everything clearly. Whether you’re a hobbyist curious about flying rules, or you’re aiming to become a professional drone operator, this guide will get you started the right way.
The Three Categories According to EASA
Since 2021, drone flights in Europe fall under EASA regulations. These rules don’t distinguish between recreational and commercial use but instead focus on the risk level of the flight. There are three main categories:
1. Open Category
For low-risk flights. No prior authorisation is needed as long as you follow the rules. It is divided into subcategories A1, A2, and A3:
A1: Flying over uninvolved people is allowed (but not over crowds). Only with drones under 250g or with a C1 label.
A2: Flying near people (at least 30m away, or 5m with slow-mode). Only with drones with a C2 label.
A3: Flying far from people and buildings. For heavier or older drones (over 250g without a C-label).
For all of these, you need at least the A1/A3 certificate, which you can obtain for free through the Belgian aviation authority (DGLV).
Important: Many websites offer paid courses for the A1/A3 exam, but the exam itself is completely free through the Belgian government’s Drone Portal.
At DroneView.be, we usually use our drones for inspections and analyses, but sometimes, we receive unusual requests. Recently, we were called in to assist in the search for a missing dog.
The dog had been missing for 48 hours, and the owner had tried everything to find it. After two days of unsuccessful searching, they decided to use a drone to expand the search area and improve their chances. Thanks to our specialized drones and experience in detecting hard-to-spot objects, we were able to systematically scan the area.
Our drone with a thermal imaging camera proved invaluable. In wooded or hard-to-reach areas, a drone can quickly cover a large space and detect heat sources invisible to the naked eye.
