The importance of reporting drone flights
The drone sector has grown exponentially in Spain, both for amateurs and professionals. Every year, more people and companies are turning to these unmanned aircraft for photography, videography, inspections, agriculture, events and even shows.
This growth means that pilots and operators must comply with current regulations, especially when flying over:
a) Population centres with areas consolidated by building development;
b) Residential, commercial, or industrial areas whose land cumulatively has at least road access, paved public roads for pedestrian access, water drainage, and public lighting
c) Recreational areas that are open to the public and contain permanent or temporary structures or facilities for leisure, recreation or sport, including beaches that meet both requirements, as well as parks or gardens under the jurisdiction of local authorities.
If the flight takes place in any of these areas, UAS operators subject to the registration requirement must notify the Ministry of the Interior of their flight at least 5 calendar days prior to the scheduled start date of the operation.
Please also remember that for flying over or reducing minimum distances to buildings, in the open category, permission is required from the competent authority, the owner or administrator responsible for the building or stable construction.
The aim is to guarantee people’s safety, protect property and ensure that operations are carried out within the legal framework. For many professional pilots, this obligation can become a real administrative challenge, especially when they are operating multiple drones or flights on different days.
Although flight notification forms may seem simple, they require very detailed information about:
- The pilot who will carry out the operation.
- The aircraft to be used.
- The location.
- Exact flight dates and times.
- Full description of the operation.
What is FlyForm and how can it help you?
FlyForm is a free extension for Google Chrome that automates the process of notificating flights to the Ministry of the Interior. Its main objective is to reduce the time an operator spends filling out forms and minimise administrative errors.
The main features of FlyForm include:
- Form autocomplete: the extension remembers the operator, pilot and drone details, avoiding the need to fill them in manually each time.
- Multiple operation management: allows you to send multiple chain notifications, which is useful for companies that operate multiple drones or perform consecutive flights.
- Secure information storage: all information is stored securely, ready for reuse in future communications.
- Compliance with current legal requirements: it is designed to comply with the provisions of Royal Decrees 1036/2017 and 517/2024.
Not everyone knows how, wants to, or is able to manage and process flight permits for drones in Spain, as they are cumbersome and complicated.
In short, FlyForm transforms a process that could previously take several minutes per form into a communication that takes seconds, without compromising accuracy or compliance with current regulations.
Challenges of the traditional process
Before FlyForm, notifications were slow and prone to errors. The main problems are:
- Extensive fields to complete: operator, pilot, drone, location, height, date, time, and description.
- Individual communications: each pilot, drone, and day requires a separate form.
- Errors and corrections: any changes require a new form to be started.
- Organising multiple flights: planning several flights on different days can be confusing.
Is all this difficult for you? Are you looking for training and advanced skills to fly drones? Request information about the introductory course on drone piloting in Mallorca. We can also advise you on how to renew your radio operator course and your licence so that you can convert your licence to operate in a specific category in standard scenarios (European STS-01).
How FlyForm streamlines communication
FlyForm effectively solves these problems:
- Data autocomplete: operator, pilot, and drone are filled in automatically.
- Multiple form management: allows you to send several communications consecutively.
- Date and time management: apply dates and times in seconds, even for multiple flights.
- Simple interface: it integrates into the Home Office website and displays relevant data without having to navigate through multiple tabs.
Advanced tips for streamlining communications
- Prepare all the information before flying: have an operator, pilot and drone ready and be clear about where drones can be flown in Spain, knowing how to use the Enaire Drones map.
- Set up templates in FlyForm: useful for repetitive tasks.
- Advance planning: meet notification deadlines.
- Periodic data verification: ensuring that stored information is up to date.
- Notifications log: review submitted and pending forms.
Legal framework for communication with the Ministry of the Interior
Royal Decree 1036/2017
RD 1036/2017 was the first regulatory framework to comprehensively address the use of drones in Spain. Among its most relevant points:
- The obligation to report flights over urban areas or gatherings of people was established.
- Each notification had to be specific to a particular pilot, drone and day.
- It introduced height and distance restrictions with regard to people and buildings.
- It defined criteria for the registration of operators and drones, although in a limited way compared to current regulations.
Although pioneering at the time, this decree had limitations: any change in the data meant filling out a new form from scratch. This made managing multiple flights repetitive and prone to errors.
Royal Decree 517/2024
RD 517/2024, published in June 2024, updates the previous regulations and adapts them to European regulations and EASA standards. Among its new features:
- Mandatory registration of unmanned aircraft: any drone with an MTOM ≥ 250 g or with sensors capable of capturing personal data must be registered with the Home Office.
- Mandatory prior notification: flights over urban areas or gatherings of people must be notified at least five working days in advance.
- Operating categories: open, specific and certified categories, each with specific training and authorisation requirements.
- Clearer penalties: failure to comply with communication or registration requirements may result in administrative penalties.
This decree reinforces the need for tools such as FlyForm, especially for professionals operating in urban environments or with multiple drones. Apart from these new developments, it is necessary and essential that you know the 5 requirements for flying a drone in Spain and flying within the law.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about FlyForm and communication with the Ministry
1. Do I need to notify the Home Office if I want to fly in cities and towns with my Mini 4 Pro?
Yes, with a Mini 4 Pro and with any drone if:
- It flies in urban environments (streets, squares, parks, urban beaches, etc.).
- Flying over or near people
- It flies over a crowd of people.
- The drone has a camera, even if it is a basic one.
- Even if it is a toy drone
1. Can FlyForm be used for any type of drone?
Yes, provided that the drone is registered and complies with current regulations.
2. How much time is saved by using FlyForm?
It can be reduced from several minutes per form to seconds, especially if multiple flights are being managed.
3. Does FlyForm comply with RD 517/2024?
Yes, it is designed to comply with current legal requirements and facilitate communication with the Ministry of the Interior regarding drone flights.
4. Can information from multiple pilots be stored?
Yes, FlyForm allows you to manage profiles for different pilots and aircraft.
5. What happens if I change the drone or location?
The data in the template is updated and new communications can be sent quickly.
Conclusion on the communication to the Ministry of the Interior regarding flying drones
Notifying the Home Office of drone flights is mandatory and essential. Tools such as FlyForm allow you to:
- Comply with current regulations and RD 517/2024.
- Save time and minimise errors by programming your drone flights. Are you familiar with drone photogrammetry?
- Manage multiple operations efficiently, and to do so, it is important to know the type or types of drones you want to fly.
FlyForm thus becomes an essential tool for professional operators and companies, simplifying legal compliance and allowing them to focus on drone operation and creativity.
