Flying safely around our test areas
AIRlabs Austria operates specialised test areas for the safe testing of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Our infrastructures are available to research institutions, companies and organisations to test innovative technologies and deployment scenarios under real conditions: from drone logistics and environmental monitoring to disaster management applications.
To ensure that these test flights can take place safely and in a coordinated manner, it is necessary to temporarily restrict the airspace in these areas. These restrictions are announced in so-called NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen).
Responsibility in the airspace
Together for safe innovation
A NOTAM is an official notification that informs, for example, about current restrictions in the airspace.
If one of our test areas is activated, it may not be flown over or crossed without prior authorisation – neither by drones nor by manned aircraft.
Exceptions to this are, of course: mission flights in accordance with Section 145 of the Aviation Act; military operational air traffic in accordance with Section 145a of the Aviation Act; search, ambulance and rescue flights; flights with unmanned aircraft used for security police or criminal proceedings purposes and flights with the following unmanned aircraft, subject to compliance with the conditions regarding registration and activation.
What you should look out for as a pilot in airspace
Regardless of whether you are flying a glider, ultralight, model aircraft or drone – as an airspace user, you share responsibility for the safety of everyone involved.
Route Planning
When planning your flight route, you should always check whether there are active NOTAMs for certain airspaces along your route.
Restricted Areas
Avoid active restricted areas (even unintentional entry can lead to penalties).
Visual Flight Conditions
Comply with visual flight conditions – also for UAS.
Route Planning
When planning your flight route, you should always check whether there are active NOTAMs for certain airspaces along your route – especially in the vicinity of test areas such as those of AIRlabs Austria. These are activated for a limited period of time and are listed in the aviation ecosystem as temporarily restricted areas.
Flying into an activated test area – even unintentionally – represents a safety risk and can have legal consequences. Therefore, please take NOTAMs into account early in your flight preparation and avoid affected areas during the activation periods.
Test area information at a glance
01
Steinalpl
Airspace: LO R 9
AMSL: GND – 7500 ft
Activation possible: Mo-Fr BCMT-ECET (except public holidays)
Frequency: 122.175 MHz (“Steinalpl”)
02
Reichersberg
Airspace: LO R 10
AMSL: GND – 4000 ft
Activation possible: Mo-Fr BCMT-ECET (except public holidays)
Frequency: 122.175 MHz (“Reichersberg”)
03
Frauschereck
Airspace: LO R 11
AMSL: GND – 3500 ft
Activation possible: Mo-Fr BCMT-ECET (except public holidays)
Frequency: 122.175 MHz (“Frauschereck”)
04
Hochkar
Airspace: LO R 12
AMSL: GND – 7500 ft
Activation possible: Mo-Fr BCMT-ECET (except public holidays & bridge days)
Frequency: 122.175 MHz (“Hochkar”)
Flying with a drone – what do you need to know?
In Austria, drone operators must register with Austro Control as soon as a drone has a take-off weight of 250 grams or more.
However, lighter drones weighing less than 250 grams must also be registered if they fulfil certain technical characteristics – for example, if they are equipped with sensors for recording personal data (e.g. cameras) or can generate a kinetic energy of more than 80 joules in the event of a collision with a person (e.g. particularly fast drones).
A complete overview of drones subject to registration and exceptions can be found on the Austro Control website.
Flying with a drone – Licence?
The drone licence (A1/A3) is also mandatory for anyone who wants to fly drones weighing 250 grams or more. It is a free online course with an exam provided by Austro Control. An A2 certificate of competence is also required for flights in category A2.
Important: The drone licence must be carried on every flight – either in printed form or electronically (e.g. on a smartphone).
Registration & activation of UAS flights:
UAS Flights
Registration & activation
During activation by AIRlabs, the use of the airspace by other airspace users is generally not permitted. All flights within the activated test areas are coordinated by AIRlabs, as part of specific projects or commissioned test operations. The corresponding airspace is temporarily restricted by AIRlabs through the issuance of a NOTAM.
Violations: Entry or operation in an active test area without authorisation is prohibited. Violations will be penalised in accordance with § 169 of the Aviation Act.
Why this is important?
Responsibility
Time and again, flights into temporarily restricted airspace occur – usually unintentionally. Even if no accidents have occurred to date, such situations can pose serious risks for test crews, flight systems and other airspace users.
With attention, responsibility and good preparation, you can make an important contribution to safety and progress in aviation.
Do you have questions about a specific test area, would you like further information or would you like to report on your experiences?
