General regulations - German Drone Regulation from July 2021 [ LuftVO §21h ]

Following the new EU Drone Regulation 2021 (2019/947 and 2019/945), Germany now also adopts the EU requirements and implements them into German law (Luftverkehrs-Ordnung (LuftVO)). This means for all drone pilots and UAS operators changes after the introduction of the EU Drone Regulation 2021 which are given in LuftVO §21h.

You will find the most important rules (German only) in the below cheat sheet of the Bundesministerium für Digitales und Verkehr.

cheat sheet (Copyright) Bundesministerium für Digitales und Verkehr.Online

Since there is no English version of the cheat sheet, the following text lists the above rules that are relevant for the course framework. However you will find all relevant information at the central internet platform DIPUL (and seriously you can switch to sign language and simplified german but not to english…).

Note:
However - The pilot is responsible, always!

Registration operator of the UAV

Registration of the drone operator is required within the EU in the respective country. In Germany, this registration is done online at the Luftfahrtbundesamt (LBA). Additional registration of the drone itself is not required. The eID (UAS operator ID) assigned during registration must be visibly attached to each owned drone.

Liability insurance

For almost all UAVs there is an insurance obligation for a drone liability insurance.

Specific regulations UAVs < 250 g (DJI Mavic Mini 2)

The UAVs less than 250 grams is operated in the EU OPEN A1 category, therefore no EU drone license is required. In addition is allowed to fly in the vicinity of people (30m) and highly relevant - even uninvolved persons. No crowds/gatherings of people are allowed to be flown over, if unexpectedly uninvolved persons should be flown over, this overflight must be terminated as soon as possible.

Distance to airfields and airports

a lateral (to the fence) distance of 1 kilometer applies to commercial airports. In the extension of the runway - in the flight corridor each 5 kilometers distance in length and 2 kilometers in width in to each runway.
a general buffer of 1.5 kilometers applies to airfields, starting at the fence of the airfield.
Helipads and heliports are without rule Usually helipads are treated equivalent to airfields i.e. 1.5 km buffer.

Exception permit:

for airports, an exception permit must be applied for at the responsible state aviation authority
for airfields and heliports a simple clearance from the air traffic control is sufficient

Residential areas/residential properties

Residential areas and residential property may be overflown at an altitude of between 100 and 120 meters if:

an overflight is absolutely necessary and cannot be conducted over public areas (e.g. roads)
and a justified interest exists
and obtaining permission from local residents is unreasonable
and the flight takes place between 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
and there is no increased noise nuisance
and privacy is maintained
and the residents have been informed (as far as possible).

Exception permits:

For an exception to the above regulations, an exception permit must still be applied for from the relevant state aviation authority.

Distance to traffic routes

The minimum distance of 100 meters may be undercut if:

a minimum distance of 10 meters is always maintained and the 1:1 rule is applied (lateral distance >= AGL)
shipping lanes/federal waterways may be flown over quickly at an altitude of between 100-120 meters if there are no ships or locks/facilities etc. in the vicinity.

Exception permits:

Exception permits must be applied for from the operator of the respective traffic routes.

Nature reserves

Nature reserves may be flown over:

if the drone flies exclusively at an altitude of between 100 to 120 meters
for a legitimate interest and with a commercial background
the protective concept of the nature reserve is known and respected and
the overflight must be necessary for the purpose of operation.

Exception permits:

Exemption permits can be issued by the competent aviation authority, but or the nature conservation authority.

Flying over swimming bands, outdoor swimming pools and beaches.

Over swimming bands, outdoor pools and beaches may be flown with a drone only outside the opening hours and operating times.

Other distances for drones

100 meters lateral distance to the boundary to:

Accident scenes and operation sites, industrial facilities, prisons, military facilities and organizations, facilities for centralized power generation and distribution, police/constitutional bodies, military and maneuvers and hospitals