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AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES

Radio Telephony (RT)

Professional air traffic communication for safe drone operations in CTR.

24–48
Advance flight plan
Hours
2
Antenna height
Metres
3
Active CTRs in NL
Civil + military
EU
ICAO phraseology
Certified
From 26 November 2026
EHAM · EHRD · EHGG · EHBK · EHLE
No RT requiredZone 2a (Specific) · zone 3 (Open and Specific) · zones 2b/4 for Specific within 30 m of obstacles.
RT still requiredZone 1 · higher or free flight in 2b/4 · all BVLOS · all military CTRs.
SkymotionSkymotion checks the zone per location and only deploys an RT operator where it is still needed.
Full explanation →
ON THE TOWER FREQUENCY

In the busy controlled airspace around major Dutch airports, two-way Radio Telephony (RT) is not optional — it is mandatory.

At Skymotion we operate safely and legally inside the CTRs of Schiphol (EHAM) and Rotterdam The Hague (EHRD) thanks to our certified RT operators who maintain continuous, professional communication with Air Traffic Control (LVNL) using standard ICAO phraseology.

Whether you need cinematic drone shots near runways, over the Port of Rotterdam, or in the Amsterdam metropolitan area, our RT service gives you access to airspace that is normally off-limits for drones — while guaranteeing the highest level of safety and compliance.

Why professional RT with Skymotion

Fully certified, continuously in contact, with dedicated antennas and a proven track record:

  • Fully certified RT operators (valid Dutch / Belgian radio telephony licence).
  • Constant two-way VHF radio contact with LVNL Tower / Approach.
  • 24–48 hour advance flight plan coordination with the LVNL Operational Helpdesk.
  • Dedicated 10 m antenna setups for optimal signal quality from low altitude.
  • Backup systems for redundant communication.
  • Proven track record in Schiphol CTR and Rotterdam CTR for film & commercial productions.

Key requirements for CTR drone flights in the Netherlands

Flying inside a Dutch CTR? These are the baseline requirements:

  • Specific category operation (SORA-approved or PDRA).
  • EASA-compliant operator & remote pilot certificates.
  • Professional RT operator on site or in direct contact.
  • VHF airband radio with sufficient range.
  • Approved flight plan + ATC clearance.
HOW IT WORKS
How RT works for CTR operations
STEP 01
01
Flight plan submission
Minimum 24–48 hours in advance via the LVNL portal or by email to [email protected].
STEP 02
02
Pre-flight coordination
Confirmation of frequency, callsign, squawk code, and exact route & altitude.
STEP 03
03
During the flight
Continuous two-way radio contact with the responsible ATC unit (Tower / Approach).
STEP 04
04
Emergency procedure
If radio contact is lost: immediate flight termination + phone notification to LVNL.
10M ANTENNA — CTR ROTTERDAM
RT IN PRACTICE
What it sounds like in the CTR
SCHIPHOL TOWER · UNMANNED SKYMOTION
SKYMOTIONSCHIPHOL TOWER, UNMANNED SKYMOTION, GOOD MORNING
TOWERUNMANNED SKYMOTION, SCHIPHOL TOWER, GOOD MORNING, GO AHEAD
SKYMOTIONUNMANNED SKYMOTION, WE ARE READY FOR THE LOCAL FLIGHT AT AMSTERDAM CENTRAL STATION
TOWERUNMANNED SKYMOTION, CLEARED FOR LOCAL FLIGHT, 200 FEET OR BELOW, REPORT WHEN FINISHED
SKYMOTIONCLEARED FOR LOCAL FLIGHT, 200 FEET OR BELOW, WILCO, UNMANNED SKYMOTION
— AFTER THE SHOT —
SKYMOTIONSCHIPHOL TOWER, UNMANNED SKYMOTION, LOCAL FLIGHT COMPLETED
TOWERUNMANNED SKYMOTION, ROGER, GOOD DAY

Inside a CTR a drone flies like VFR traffic: with a clearance from the tower and two-way radio contact. Our callsign is “Unmanned Skymotion”. We always read back the safety-relevant parts of the clearance — such as the height — and report when we are finished. The exact exchange differs per tower and situation.

General & backup frequencies

Always useful to monitor alongside the assigned CTR frequency:

ServiceFrequencyPurpose
Amsterdam Information (FIS)124.300 MHzInformation service outside CTR/TMA
Dutch Mil Info / Radar132.350 MHzBackup + all military areas
International Emergency (Guard)121.500 MHzEmergency frequency — always monitor
Operating area

Where we fly — click for the rules per CTR

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 ↗

ALL FREQUENCIES
All CTR VHF frequencies in the Netherlands (2026)
Airport / CTRTowerApproachClearance DeliveryGroundNotes
Schiphol CTR EHAM119.230 / 118.105 / 118.280 / 135.110 MHz119.055 / 121.205 MHz121.980 MHz121.805 / 121.705 / 121.560 / 121.905 MHzTower frequency depends on the runway in use
Rotterdam CTR EHRD118.205 MHz122.990 MHz122.180 MHz—Approach 07:00–23:00
Eindhoven CTR EHEH131.005 MHz123.180 (RAPCON South) / 124.530 MHz—121.930 MHzMilitary ATC; VFR crossing the TMA 132.530
Maastricht CTR EHBK119.480 MHz123.980 MHz121.830 MHz—Callsign 'Beek Tower'
Eelde CTR EHGG118.705 MHz120.305 MHz121.705 MHz—Approach Mon–Fri 09:00–19:00
Lelystad CTR EHLE135.180 MHz134.530 MHz (Arrival)123.680 MHz—CTR 1 to 1,500 ft, CTR 2 to 2,500 ft
De Kooy CTR (mil) EHKD120.130 MHz124.230 MHz (Arrival)—121.730 MHzDrones: [email protected]
Leeuwarden CTR (mil) EHLW120.705 MHz———Mon–Fri daytime; otherwise Dutch Mil Info 132.350
Volkel CTR (mil) EHVK136.080 MHz123.180 MHz (RAPCON South)——Mon–Fri daytime; otherwise Dutch Mil Info 132.350
Gilze-Rijen CTR (mil) EHGR125.330 MHz———Mon–Fri daytime; otherwise Dutch Mil Info 132.350
Woensdrecht CTR (mil) EHWO120.430 MHz123.580 MHz (Rapcon West)—121.680 MHzMon–Fri daytime; otherwise Dutch Mil Info 132.350
Deelen CTR (mil) EHDL129.930 MHz———No fixed hours; otherwise Dutch Mil Info 132.350
De Peel CTR (mil) EHDP131.005 / 136.080 MHz———Air base closed: call Eindhoven or Volkel Tower

Source: AIP Netherlands (AIRAC 10-2026, effective 1 October 2026) and the military AIP. VHF frequencies only; they can change with each AIRAC cycle. Military towers also monitor 122.100 as a backup. Each CTR has its own page with all details — click the name.

Copied
PORT OF ROTTERDAM SHOOT
Do you need RT on your location?
Tessa Oudijk
RT OPERATOR & CTR COORDINATOR

Coordinates flight plan, frequency, and ATC clearance for every Skymotion CTR shoot.

From the field
SCHIPHOL TOWER
ON THE TOWER FREQUENCY
FLIGHT PLAN COORD
10M ANTENNA RIG
PORT OF ROTTERDAM
AIRPORT OPERATIONS
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