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No-drone zones

Before taking off, make sure it is permitted to fly there. You also need permission from the land owner of the area where you will take off and land.

Restrictions

There are restrictions on where you can fly. Here is a list of restricted areas:

  • Within 5 km from airports. Go to Ninox Drone and Avinor for more info.
  • Nearby ongoing emergency operations.
  • Restricted airspace:
    • Permanent areas are displayed on ICAO Norway charts. This can also be downloaded in some mobile apps for air navigation.
    • Temporary areas will be published by NOTAM. See IPPC.no.
  • Some nature conservation areas.
  • Areas with sensor restrictions
  • Prisons
  • Embassies
  • Military areas and vessels

Airports

It is not permitted to fly closer than 5 km from an airport without permission from the air traffic service, ie. the tower at the airport. Airports may have different procedures for how to apply for a permit. Most use an app called Ninox Drone.

More information can be found on the airport's website, or you can contact the airport. Many airports in Norway are operated by Avinor, and they have gathered information on their websites.

In the near future, the 5 km rule will change. It will probably be forbidden to fly within an airport control zone, CTR, without a permit. Maps of the control zone can be found in AIP, and maps for Avinor's airports on their websites. At several of Avinor's airports, you will be able to request and obtain a permit through an app. It is likely that this will apply to most airports within some time. Some airports already have the app in use, where the restriction applies within 5 km. The solution is called Ninox Drone.

Restricted airspace

Restriction and danger areas are airspace areas created to protect flights or set special conditions for flight. This can often mean a flight ban for drones, for example, in the restricted area R102, which covers Oslo city center. Here you must have permission from CAA Norway to be able to fly. This area is created to protect the inhabitants, and central government functions, from aviation incidents.

An example of temporary restricted areas where it is not permitted to fly without a permit are priority areas where an accident has occurred. Danger areas can be permanent or activated by Notice to Airmen (NOTAM). Danger areas are often created to protect others from what is going on there; for example, military firing ranges are typically covered by danger areas. You will find information on both restricted and danger areas in AIP and on NOTAM.

NOTAM can be checked at IPPC.no

The app Ninox Drone also shows some restriction areas.

Photo and sensor-restricted areas

Some areas have restrictions regarding the use of airborne sensors. It is the Norwegian National Security Authority (NSM) that controls sensor use from the air. NSM has published a separate map showing these areas.

Nature and environmental considerations

Nature conservation areas, such as national parks, may have their own rules for drone flying. It is described in the regulations of the individual area, and you can often find information on the national park's own website. To find out if you are in a protected area, you can check maps published by the Norwegian Environment Agency. Many of these areas are also marked with small signs in the terrain.

Military areas, prisons, and embassies

It is not allowed to fly over or near military areas/vessels, prisons, and embassies. Often these are marked, but be aware that a temporary military training area can also be defined as a military area.