How to apply UAS geographical zones
Based on an application, Traficom may establish UAS geographical zones to protect a specific area or to allow a certain type of unmanned aircraft systems to operate. UAS geographical zone applies only to unmanned aerial vehicles and may be of a prohibitive, restrictive or permissive nature.
UAS geographical zone established by Traficom's decision can be valid for maximum 12 months. More permanent zones, for a period not exceeding three years at a time. may be included in Aviation Regulation OPS M1-29, which will be reviewed annually. Applications for UAS geographical zones in accordance with Aviation Regulation OPS M1-29 must be sent to Traficom's registry by 15 May each year.
All established UAS-geographical zones based on Aviation Regulation OPS M1-29 are published on Finlex -pages. Ulkoinen verkkopalvelu.
UAS-geographical zones in machine-readable form Ulkoinen verkkopalvelu. (Finnish only).
Temporary UAS geographical zones, which are established by Traficom's decision for a maximum of 1 year, are subject to a fee (restrictive- and prohibited zones € 370, permissive zones 460€). The fee is based on a government decree. Zones with permanent nature that are included in regulation OPS M1-29 are free of charge.
Prohibitive and restrictive UAS geographical zones
Traficom may establish a UAS geographical zone in which the operation of unmanned aircraft is prohibited or restricted for indispensable cause. The decision or regulation may stipulate that following certain conditions, the UAS operations are nevertheless permitted in such a zone.
However, flights conducted specifically on behalf of the entity responsible for the protected zone are allowed
Permissive UAS geographical zones
Traficom may designate certain geographical zones in which UAS operations are exempt from one or more of the ‘open’ category requirements. Such UAS geographical zones may be established for commercial, hobby or research and experimental reasons based on an application and reasoning by a UAS operator. Traficom's decision or regulation may impose various conditions and restrictions on unmanned aircraft systems and their operators regarding operations in such a zone.
According to Article 15(2) of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, the competent authority must conduct a risk assessment before establishing an authorising UAS geographical zone. Therefore, the applicant must specify in an separate annex to the application which requirements of the Open Category the requested exemption concerns.
In the applicant’s own risk assessment, the applicant shall identify air- and ground risks arising from the requested exemptions from the Open Category requirements, describe the risk mitigation measures proposed to address those risks, and explain how these measures are incorporated into the applicant’s UAS Operations Manual.
To assess ground risk, the applicant must complete the checklist and submit it as an annex to the application. Traficom will not process the application unless the completed checklist is attached.
Traficom will review the applicant’s preliminary risk assessment and, where necessary, require additional mitigation measures to achieve an adequate level of safety or request further information where the submitted information is incomplete.
Before issuing a regulation or decision, the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency shall agree on the UAS geographical zone with the Finnish Defence Forces. During this consultation process, the impacts of the proposed UAS geographical zone on military aviation operations and the performance of the statutory duties of the Defence Forces shall be assessed. In addition, the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency shall, where necessary, consult the Finnish Border Guard and notify the matter through public notice in accordance with Section 62 of the Administrative Procedure Act to the owners and holders of properties located beneath the planned UAS geographical zone, as well as to owners and holders of properties adjacent to such properties.
The applicant’s Operations Manual and preliminary risk assessment will be submitted only to the Defence Forces and the Border Guard, both of which may impose conditions on the establishment of the zone.
The regulation or decision may impose on unmanned aircraft systems and their operators:
- conditions relating to aviation safety or security;
- conditions necessary to ensure public order and safety;
- conditions necessary to ensure military aviation operational requirements or the performance of the statutory duties of the Defence Forces;
- conditions concerning the category or group of authorised users of the geographical zone;
- conditions concerning procedures or systems;
- reporting obligations to authorities or other entities;
- temporal restrictions or restrictions related to weather conditions; and
- geographical and altitude limitations within the zone in addition to its external boundaries.
The decision or regulation may impose various conditions and restrictions on unmanned aircraft systems and their operators.
The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency may, on its own initiative for justified reasons or upon application by an unmanned aircraft system operator, amend the conditions of a regulation or decision referred to above if the circumstances prevailing at the time the regulation or decision was issued have changed substantially.
The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency may revoke a regulation or decision if:
- the circumstances prevailing at the time it was issued have changed substantially and the activity can no longer be continued through amendment of the conditions; or
- the unmanned aircraft system operator repeatedly violates applicable provisions or the conditions of the regulation or decision.