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CTR · CIVIL AIRPORT

Drone filming in the Groningen Eelde CTR

Groningen and northern Drenthe · EHGG · what it takes and how Skymotion handles it

The wide Groningen and Drenthe landscape, terps, dikes and the city of Groningen: the north is cinematic from the air. Shooting south of the city quickly puts you inside the CTR of Groningen Airport Eelde. From 26 November 2026 that gets simpler: in much of this CTR, contact with air traffic control is no longer needed.

The Groningen Eelde CTR covers the area around Groningen Airport Eelde, between the city of Groningen and Assen. Exactly where the boundary and zones run differs per spot — we check that per location. Want to see where the CTR is yourself? It is on the GoDrone map ↗.

Airport
Groningen Airport Eelde
ICAO
EHGG
CTR type
Civil airport
Requests
Mission plan with LVNL — we file it
Radio contact
With the tower — from 26-11-2026 not in every zone
Airspace class
C
CTR vertical limits
Ground to 3,000 ft (± 900 m) above sea level
Hours
Mon–Fri 06:30–23:00, Sat/Sun/holidays 07:30–22:00; outside those hours Dutch Mil Info 132.350
Tower callsign
Eelde Tower
Zoning 26-11-2026
Yes, new zones
The CTR on the map

How big the Groningen Eelde CTR is

Drone zones from 26 Nov 2026CTR boundary only
  • Zone 1 Around the airport, 0–120 m: always in contact with air traffic control.
  • Zone 2A / 2B Ring of ± 2–5 km. 2A (0–45 m): no ATC needed. 2B (45–120 m): ATC needed, except within 30 m of buildings and obstacles.
  • Zone 3 Rest of the CTR, 0–120 m: no ATC needed.
  • Zone 4 Whole CTR above 120 m: ATC needed, except within 30 m of obstacles.
CTR boundaryHeight: Ground to 3,000 ft (± 900 m) above sea levelAirspace class: C
Indicative rendering based on the official boundary coordinates (AIP Nederland, AIRAC 10-2026). The drone zones apply from 26 November 2026 and are traced indicatively from the maps in the Dutch UAS zoning regulation (Stcrt. 2026, 33389), ± 100–200 m. Not for navigation: current boundaries and zones are in the AIP and on the GoDrone map ↗
Frequencies

Groningen Eelde CTR radio frequencies

Tower118.705 MHzEelde TowerTap to copyApproach120.305 MHzEelde ApproachMon–Fri 09:00–19:00 onlyTap to copyDelivery121.705 MHzEelde DeliveryStart-up and clearanceTap to copyATIS133.555 MHzEelde InformationTap to copy
Always useful
  • 124.300 Amsterdam InformationFlight information outside CTR/TMA
  • 132.350 Dutch Mil InfoMilitary areas and backup
  • 121.500 Emergency (guard)Monitor in an emergency

Source: AIP Netherlands (AIRAC 10-2026). Frequencies can change with each AIRAC cycle; we check them before every flight. For drones, the approved mission plan always applies.

What it takes to fly in the Groningen Eelde CTR

  • An operational authorisation in the Specific category from the Dutch ILT with the CTR privilege. Skymotion holds one.
  • A mission plan filed with LVNL. We file it 48 hours ahead; 24 hours ahead we learn which hours are approved.
  • On the day, two-way radio contact (RT) with the tower via a certified RT operator — except in the zones where this is no longer needed from 26 November 2026.
  • An approved plan is not a guarantee: the controller gives final permission at the time. So build a buffer into your shoot day.
  • Permission from the landowner or municipality where you take off and land, and a filming permit where needed.

How we handle it

  • We check the location first: which zone does the shot fall in, what is needed and is there an easier alternative nearby?
  • We file the mission plan and coordinate the shooting times.
  • Over roads and public space we only close off during the take, with traffic marshals; for take-off and landing we keep 25 metres clear.

New zones from 26 November 2026

From 26 November 2026, parts of the Groningen Eelde CTR no longer require contact with air traffic control for Specific-category flights. Right around the runway and above 45 metres in the inner ring, radio contact remains required. Read all about the new CTR zoning →

ZoneHeight / positionFrom 26-11-2026
Zone 10–120 m · ±0–2 km around the runwayNothing changes: Specific only, with mission plan, clearance and two-way radio contact (ATC/RT).
Zone 2a0–45 m · ±2–5 kmSpecific only, without ATC, mission plan or CTR privilege. Stay below 45 m, including the return-to-home height.
Zone 2b45–120 m · ±2–5 kmSpecific only, ATC required, except within 30 m (horizontally or vertically) of buildings, structures or obstacles: then only a mission plan, which is authorised automatically.
Zone 30–120 m · ±5 km to the CTR boundaryOpen (all classes) and Specific without ATC and without a mission plan.
Zone 4Above 120 m · whole CTROnly with an ILT exemption; otherwise as 2b: ATC required, except within 30 m of obstacles (mission plan only).

Frequently asked questions

Can you film with a drone in Groningen and northern Drenthe?

Yes, with the right authorisation. In the Groningen Eelde CTR you need a Specific-category authorisation with the CTR privilege, a filed mission plan and — in the zones where it is required — radio contact with the tower. Skymotion holds that authorisation and has a certified RT operator.

How far ahead should I plan a drone shoot in the Groningen Eelde CTR?

We file the mission plan 48 hours ahead; 24 hours ahead we know which hours are approved. Plan earlier if you can, so location, closures and permits are sorted too.

Does anything change on 26 November 2026 in the Groningen Eelde CTR?

Yes. In parts of this CTR, Specific-category flights no longer need contact with air traffic control: low (up to 45 m) in the inner ring, anywhere in the outer ring, and within 30 m of buildings. Close to the runway and higher up, RT remains required.

What frequency is the Groningen Eelde CTR tower on?

Eelde Tower on 118.705 MHz; also Eelde Approach 120.305, Eelde Delivery 121.705, Eelde Information 133.555. CTR vertical limits: Ground to 3,000 ft (± 900 m) above sea level (airspace class C). Source: AIP Netherlands, AIRAC 10-2026. Which frequency applies on the day is set in the approved mission plan.

Can you check whether my location works?

Yes. Send the address or a pin, the date and the shot you want. We check which zone it falls in, what is needed and whether there is an easier alternative nearby.

Shooting in the Groningen Eelde CTR?

Send your location, date and shot — we check what is needed.

Other CTRs

Pick another CTR on the map

Civil airportMilitary CTR

Click a dot for the rules and what is needed. The exact boundaries and zones of every CTR are on the GoDrone map ↗

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