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Hire a drone pilot in Leeuwarden

Pilot, drones and crew for film, TV and commercials in Leeuwarden — with the airspace and agreements worked out beforehand

180+
Productions
Film, TV, commercials, clips
CTR
Controlled airspace
Leeuwarden Air Base
ILT
Specific authorisation
Also above built-up areas
2009
Flying since
Film, series, ads

Oldehove, canals, the Frisian lakes and the Wadden coast: Leeuwarden and its surroundings bring calm and space to the frame. The air base requires a request with Defence, but beyond that Friesland is one of the freest pieces of airspace in the country.

With Skymotion you hire one aerial unit: drone pilot, drones, cameras and where needed a camera operator, spotter and RT operator. We work out in advance what the airspace in Leeuwarden allows and which agreements are needed, so on the shooting day you only deal with the shot.

Airspace

Leeuwarden: in or next to the Leeuwarden Air Base CTR

The CTR of Leeuwarden Air Base covers the city and its surroundings. We request the flight with military air traffic control and take the F-35 training flights into account, which sometimes limit flying to certain hours. Harlingen, the lakes and the Afsluitdijk lie outside the CTR.

Example locations

Filming in and around Leeuwarden: wherever the shot calls for it

We fly anywhere in and around Leeuwarden the story calls for: city centre, industry, water, countryside. Below are a few places productions often ask for, with what to keep in mind for each.

  • 01
    Frisian lakes at Langweer

    skûtsje sailing from the air for This Is Holland.

  • 02
    Oldehove and the city centre

    the leaning tower and the canals.

  • 03
    Station area and Spoorstraat

    urban renewal where we filmed before.

  • 04
    Harlingen: port and harbour mouth

    ferries and fishing; the Wadden Sea is Natura 2000.

  • 05
    Afsluitdijk and the Frisian lakes

    long tracking shots above water and dyke.

Permissions and planning

How we arrange a shooting day in Leeuwarden

Authorisation and requests

We fly under our Specific-category authorisation from the Dutch ILT and file the mission plan for the CTR with air traffic control.

Local agreements

We arrange the request with Defence for the CTR and coordinate with the City of Leeuwarden in the centre. For the Wadden Sea and other Natura 2000 areas the production has to arrange the site manager's permission; we flag when that applies.

Planning

Ideally a week ahead, at least 48 hours for the CTR request. The earlier you call, the more hours are possible. If the shot requires a street or square to be cordoned off, we flag that well in advance so the production can plan for it.

On the shooting day

We arrive on set on time, brief with the director and DOP, and you watch live on the monitor. Then we fly until the shot is in, while a spotter keeps an eye on the airspace and the surroundings.

Credits

What we have done in and around Leeuwarden

FAQ

Hiring a drone pilot in Leeuwarden: questions

Can you film with a drone in Leeuwarden?

Yes. Leeuwarden lies in or right next to the Leeuwarden Air Base CTR: we file the mission plan with air traffic control at least 48 hours ahead and fly with an RT operator on the radio. Our Specific-category authorisation from the Dutch ILT also allows this above built-up areas, within the conditions of the authorisation.

How quickly can a drone pilot be on set in Leeuwarden?

Because of the CTR request we prefer to plan a week ahead, at least 48 hours. Send the location, date and shot and you hear the same day what is possible.

What does it cost to hire a drone pilot in Leeuwarden?

That depends on the drone and camera, the crew that comes along, the airspace, the travel time and the length of the shooting day; that is why we do not publish standard prices. You usually get a tailored quote the same day.

Which drone do you use in Leeuwarden?

In controlled airspace we mostly fly the DJI Inspire 3 or a Mavic: light, quiet and quickly approved. For dynamic shots we use FPV, and for your ARRI, RED or Sony Venice the heavy-lift Alta X.

Need a drone pilot in Leeuwarden?

Send the location, date and the shot you want — you'll hear quickly what's possible and what it costs, usually the same day.

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