Important First Steps: How to get Started Safely With Drone use
Thermal imaging drones are now a valuable tool for nature conservation and species protection. Whether locating fawns before mowing, monitoring breeding birds or documenting habitats, drones enable efficient and animal-friendly operations. To get you off to a successful start, here are the most important steps from purchase to first flight.
Selecting the appropriate drone
Are you still unsure which drone to buy? Then please contact us. We will provide you with personalized, expert and detailed advice to ensure you get exactly the right equipment for your needs!
Checklist for the Most Important Steps Leading up to Your First Drone Flight
The steps described in detail below are summarised briefly here in a checklist.
First steps as an operator: register and insure
Similar to motor vehicles, a distinction must be made between the owner and the pilot of a drone. The operators, i.e. usually the owner or purchaser of the drone, are responsible for liability insurance, registration with the Federal Aviation Authority, affixing the registration number and entering the remote ID.
Take out insurance
In Germany, liability insurance for drones is required by law (Section 43 of the LuftVG). The insurance number is required for registration as an operator (next step).
Liability insurance protects you if people or property are damaged during flight. First, you should check whether your existing insurance already covers the drone. This is the case with some hunting liability insurance policies. In any case, you should then provide your insurance company with the serial number of the new drone.
If you do not have insurance, you should take out appropriate insurance now. Make sure that the type of operation, i.e. who flies the drone, how many drones are in the air at the same time and, importantly, whether the type of operation, e.g. fawn rescue, is covered. As a rule, the cost is around €150 to €200 per year for a single insurance policy for applications such as wildlife rescue. Significantly cheaper insurance policies often do not cover such applications.
Apply for registration and operator ID (e-ID)
In the EU, every drone weighing 250 g or more (or equipped with a camera) must be registered. However, it is not the individual drone that is registered with the Federal Aviation Authority (LBA), but the operator. Upon registration, you will receive an eID (electronic operator ID), which you must affix visibly to the outside of the drone and enter into the drone’s software.
Registration fees are €20 for individuals and €50 for legal entities (associations, companies). After registration, it ideally takes one hour to receive your ID, but it can also take up to 14 days.
To register as an operator, you will need:
Attach operator ID to the drone and enter remote ID
Once you have received the electronic operator ID from the LBA, you must affix it visibly to the outside of the drone. As a customer, you can obtain a corresponding sticker from us free of charge. Please contact our customer service team for this.
You must also store the operator ID in your drone’s remote control as a so-called remote ID. Instructions on how to do this for DJI Enterprise drones can be found here:
First steps as a pilot: obtain a licence and check areas
Pilots require a licence, similar to a driving licence, and are responsible for operating the drone in accordance with the law. In particular, it is necessary to check whether operation is restricted by geographical UAS areas and other requirements.
Proof of competence and remote pilot licence
The documentation required for flying drones depends on where and how you want to fly. There are two options for using drones for wildlife and species conservation.
If you are unsure which proof you need, you can find out more here or simply give us a call – we will be happy to advise you!
Geographical UAS areas and other restrictions
Before each flight and also when planning operations before the start of the season, it should be checked whether there are any restrictions in the area where flying is to take place. These include geographical UAS areas and temporary operating restrictions.
The geographical areas include, for example, nature reserves and protective strips around airports, federal highways, railway lines, power lines and industrial areas, as well as facilities belonging to authorities with security responsibilities.
To check whether temporary operating restrictions are in place or whether the flight area is located in a geographical UAS area, the ‘Map Tool’ of the ‘Digital Platform for Unmanned Aviation’ is available (www.dipul.de). If this is the case, the consent of the competent authorities must be obtained.
In the case of nature reserves, these are the lower nature conservation authorities. In most cases, an informal email is sufficient to obtain the necessary consent. We have created a template for such an email for you here: Cover letter for protected areas.
Initial flight exercises and safety
For your first launch, find a clear area far away from people, trees, power lines, buildings, etc. Choose a day with little wind and good weather conditions. The ground at the launch site should be flat and hard so that the camera and propellers do not come into contact with the ground.
Before take-off, you should thoroughly check the condition of the aircraft. Here are the most important points:
Before taking off, familiarise yourself with how to operate the drone and remote control. Pay particular attention to the automatic safety features such as Return to Launch. Then take your time and start practising your flying skills.
The most important rules for flying drones
We wish you a safe and successful flight!
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us!