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.
Why This Matters
A federation should inform, represent, and connect its members — especially in a sector as regulated and fast-moving as ours.
When such an organization goes silent, not only do its members lose trust, but the entire Belgian drone industry loses its collective voice.For professional operators engaged in inspection, mapping, or thermography, reliable information is crucial — about regulations, Specific-category authorisations, Remote ID, or new compliance requirements. That’s where a federation could truly make a difference.
The Link with Van Dessel
In our case, we discovered the Belgian Drone Federation through Van Dessel Insurance Brokers, who collaborate with the BDF and offer a discounted rate for its members.
As such, membership was encouraged as an added benefit when taking out drone insurance.This makes the situation even more unfortunate: customers seeking reliable insurance are being referred to an organization that is barely active in practice.
We have since informed Van Dessel of this, clarifying that we will not renew our membership unless BDF becomes visibly operational again.
What We Do at DroneView.be
At DroneView.be, we believe that sharing knowledge strengthens the industry.
That’s why we regularly publish articles on our blog covering topics such as:
- Updates on Belgian drone regulations
- Practical guides on Remote ID and airspace restrictions
- Technical insights into inspection, mapping, and thermography
- Examples of how drones create value in construction, industry, and energy
We do this not because we have to, but because we know it helps — our clients, fellow pilots, and the industry as a whole.
The Question of Refunds: A Matter of Balance
Many readers may wonder why we haven’t formally requested a refund of the €199 membership fee, given that no services were provided.
This question perfectly illustrates the frustration. While we are entitled to a refund — we paid for a service we never received — the practical effort simply outweighs the amount in question.
What are the options? Sending a registered demand letter, investing time and money with no guaranteed reply? Taking it to court for €199? The administrative and legal effort would cost more than the fee itself.
So instead, we chose another approach: to publish this experience.
We hope this transparency will motivate BDF to act, and at the same time help fellow professionals avoid making the same fruitless investment.In this case, transparency is our greatest asset — because an entrepreneur’s time is too valuable to waste on a silent federation.
In Conclusion
We sincerely hope the Belgian Drone Federation becomes active again, because the Belgian drone industry deserves a strong and reliable voice.
Until then, we at DroneView.be will continue to do what we always do: share knowledge, work transparently, and strengthen the sector from within.
