Drone filming in the Leeuwarden CTR

Frisian lakes, terp villages, the Afsluitdijk and the Wadden coast: Friesland asks for aerials. Around Leeuwarden lies the CTR of the air base, where the Royal Netherlands Air Force flies fighter jets. We file the mission plan; the military tower gives final permission at the time. The Wadden Sea and other Natura 2000 areas have their own rules on top.

The Leeuwarden CTR covers Leeuwarden and surroundings, around Leeuwarden Air Base. 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 ↗.

What it takes to fly in the Leeuwarden CTR

• An operational authorisation in the Specific category from the Dutch ILT with the CTR privilege. Skymotion holds one.
• A mission plan, which we file. Since 1 September 2026 LVNL assesses requests for military CTRs centrally and coordinates with the air base's air traffic control. File well in advance: military activity decides when there is room.
• On the day, contact with military air traffic control as agreed in the approved mission plan.
• 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.
• In and around Natura 2000 areas, provincial rules apply on top (sometimes an exemption). We check that separately.

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.

Frequently asked questions