Flying a drone
Operations involving remotely piloted aircraft or drones near Lappeenranta Airport must be approved in advance. Separate permission from air traffic control is always required.
GUIDELINES for flying a drone
Flying a drone in the vicinity of Lappeenranta Airport often requires prior authorization, and flight operations must be coordinated in advance if you intend to fly a remotely piloted aircraft (drone) or a model aircraft. There are several overlapping airspace zones around the airport (see regulation OPS M1-29) . Please familiarize yourself with these zones beforehand at: Lappeenranta (EFLP) restrictive UAS geographical zone and Fintraffic Sky -service.
Permissions for operating in these areas are granted by Lappeenranta Air Traffic Control (ATC) and/or the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom).
Summary of the airspace zones closest to the airport: (NOTE: Always verify the exact requirements and restrictions in advance)
UAS Zone A: Authorization is required for operations within approximately 1 km of the airport runway edge. The maximum permitted flight altitude is 50 m AGL (Above Ground Level).
UAS Zone B: Authorization is required within approximately 1 to 3 km from the runway edges if you intend to fly more than 15 meters above a nearby obstacle. The maximum permitted flight altitude is 50 m AGL.
UAS Zone C: Within the Lappeenranta Airport Control Zone (CTR) and at a distance of more than 3 km from the runway edge, you may operate a drone without separate authorization up to an altitude of 50 m AGL. Any operation above this altitude always requires specific approval from Air Traffic Control.
To obtain authorization for drone operations from Air Traffic Control, please review Fintraffic’s guidance for drone operators.
Arrange your flight operation using Fintraffic Sky -service
Comprehensive information on drone operations can be found on the Traficom website.
You can contact Lappeenranta Airport Air Traffic Control by email at: anseflpats@fintraffic.fi