Q: My drone is <1kg in weight, are there any rules?"

It depends! If you keep your drone less than 50ft at all times, your drone has no substantial parts, and you fly safely then there are no further rules. If you fly above 50ft into Irish Airspace or your drone has substantial parts then you have to follow the rules in Statutory Instrument 563/2015, check it out HERE

Q: Do I have to register my drone?

If your drone is greater than 1kg or you are going to fly higher than 50ft then you have to register your drone, further information is available on the Irish Aviation Authority ASSET drone registration page, located HERE

Q: If I register my drone with the IAA can I fly anywhere?

No. Registering your drone with the Irish Aviation Authority does not grant any rights or exemptions. You must still follow the rules in SI563/2015 and the associated Drone Aeronautical Notices, available HERE. If you want to check what airspace you are in and whether you can fly the simplest thing is to check out our Drone Airspace Map

Q: Is registering my drone with the Irish Aviation Authority the same as getting a drone licence?

No. Registering your drone if it is greater than 1kg is a requirement. Getting a drone licence is only a requirement in certain circumstances and it is likely that only commercial operators will choose to get a drone licence (pilot competency certificate).

Q: Can I fly my drone at night in Ireland?

Yes! Ireland is one of the only countries where you can fly your drone at night time! Just take extra caution as it can be very easy to get disorientated, and don't forget to check out the airspace first, located HERE

Q: Where can I fly my drone?

Simple, just check out our Free Drone Interactive Airspace Map

Q: Do I need a licence to get insurance?

In most cases yes. There are insurance companies who will insure you at a premium without training but they are very rare. Training and certification decrease your chance of having a crash and so insurance companies reward this. For most commercial work, the person hiring a pilot will insist on the pilot being licenced and insured.

Q: How much should I charge for drone photos and videos?

Great question! Complete our online training to find out!

Q: Do I have to get a licence to fly in Ireland?

It depends! If you want to fly in controlled/ prohibited/ restricted airspace or outside any of the rules in the Statutory Instrument 563/2015 then yes. Most people hiring pilots will require pilots to be certified and it is very unwise to operate commercially without training and certification. Ireland has one of the most flexible regulatory environments and is one of the cheapest places to get trained, despite the training being to the highest international standards!

Q: Additional external fees for your drone permit in Ireland

With our full IAA training package we cover all the certification costs. However when you are ready to apply for your permit through the Irish Aviation Authority there are a couple of external payments to bare in mind. 1. PCC (Pilot Competence Certificatication) - €148 application fee to the IAA. 2. SOP (Specific Operating Permissions) - €148 application fee to the IAA. 3. Insurance premium- You would require your insurance in place when submitting your documents to the IAA. Your permit/license is valid for two years. On renewal the IAA application fees will need to be paid again direct to the regulators.

Question 1

My drone is <1kg in weight, are there any rules?"

Accepted Answer

It depends! If you keep your drone less than 50ft at all times, your drone has no substantial parts, and you fly safely then there are no further rules. If you fly above 50ft into Irish Airspace or your drone has substantial parts then you have to follow the rules in Statutory Instrument 563/2015, check it out HERE

Question 2

Do I have to register my drone?

Accepted Answer

If your drone is greater than 1kg or you are going to fly higher than 50ft then you have to register your drone, further information is available on the Irish Aviation Authority ASSET drone registration page, located HERE

Question 3

If I register my drone with the IAA can I fly anywhere?

Accepted Answer

No. Registering your drone with the Irish Aviation Authority does not grant any rights or exemptions. You must still follow the rules in SI563/2015 and the associated Drone Aeronautical Notices, available HERE. If you want to check what airspace you are in and whether you can fly the simplest thing is to check out our Drone Airspace Map

Question 4

Is registering my drone with the Irish Aviation Authority the same as getting a drone licence?

Accepted Answer

No. Registering your drone if it is greater than 1kg is a requirement. Getting a drone licence is only a requirement in certain circumstances and it is likely that only commercial operators will choose to get a drone licence (pilot competency certificate).

Question 5

Can I fly my drone at night in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Ireland is one of the only countries where you can fly your drone at night time! Just take extra caution as it can be very easy to get disorientated, and don't forget to check out the airspace first, located HERE

Question 6

Where can I fly my drone?

Accepted Answer

Simple, just check out our Free Drone Interactive Airspace Map

Question 7

Do I need a licence to get insurance?

Accepted Answer

In most cases yes. There are insurance companies who will insure you at a premium without training but they are very rare. Training and certification decrease your chance of having a crash and so insurance companies reward this. For most commercial work, the person hiring a pilot will insist on the pilot being licenced and insured.

Question 8

How much should I charge for drone photos and videos?

Accepted Answer

Great question! Complete our online training to find out!

Question 9

Do I have to get a licence to fly in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

It depends! If you want to fly in controlled/ prohibited/ restricted airspace or outside any of the rules in the Statutory Instrument 563/2015 then yes. Most people hiring pilots will require pilots to be certified and it is very unwise to operate commercially without training and certification. Ireland has one of the most flexible regulatory environments and is one of the cheapest places to get trained, despite the training being to the highest international standards!

Question 10

Why should I train with FlyRyte and not another school?

Accepted Answer

We don't just provide training, we provide a support network for you throughout your career, which is invaluable. Not sure about whether you can do a job? Need help applying for permission? Have a question about equipment? We are here for you from day 1...

Question 11

Additional external fees for your drone permit in Ireland

Accepted Answer

With our full IAA training package we cover all the certification costs. However when you are ready to apply for your permit through the Irish Aviation Authority there are a couple of external payments to bare in mind.   1. PCC (Pilot Competence Certificatication) - €148 application fee to the IAA. 2. SOP (Specific Operating Permissions) - €148 application fee to the IAA. 3. Insurance premium- You would require your insurance in place when submitting your documents to the IAA.   Your permit/license is valid for two years. On renewal the IAA application fees will need to be paid again direct to the regulators.

Odhrán Murphy

Principles of Flight Instructor

Check Airspace

Check NOTAMS

Complete UF101*

Complete Risk Assessment

Peter Smyth

Meteorology Instructor

Weather links

3-5 days

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1-3 days

Irish

Drone Rules

Distance & Bearing Calculator

Altitude calculator

Irish DJI

Drone Dealer

Irish

Drone Rules

Distance & Bearing Calculator

Altitude calculator

Irish DJI

Drone Dealer

Drone Registration

Drone

Insurance

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