Before a drone flight in Romania you usually come across four tools: the ROMATSA UAS map, the MoND AEROFOTO app, DJI FlySafe in your drone's app and Drone Log. They do not do the same thing and do not replace each other. Below is what each one does, what it does not do and how to use them together.
The information about the other tools is what they publish themselves and was checked on 15 October 2026.
Key information
- The ROMATSA map is the official source of UAS geographical zones in Romania (ROMATSA is the Romanian air navigation service).
- AEROFOTO is the official channel for requesting the MoND (Ministry of National Defence) clearance for filming, photography or mapping.
- DJI FlySafe is DJI's own zone database; unlocking a DJI zone is not a flight approval.
- Drone Log brings together the zones, NOTAMs and requirements for one specific flight and prepares your documents; it does not issue approvals and does not submit requests on your behalf.
The comparison at a glance
| ROMATSA map | AEROFOTO (MoND) | DJI FlySafe | Drone Log | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Made by | ROMATSA (official) | Ministry of National Defence (official) | DJI (manufacturer) | Drone Log |
| UAS zones in Romania | Yes, the official source | No | DJI's own database | Yes, from ROMATSA data |
| NOTAMs | File of NOTAM-restricted zones | No | No | Yes, filtered by flight date and time |
| Tells you which approvals you need | No | No | No | Yes, as requirements |
| Receives requests | No | Yes, the MoND clearance | No | No — prepares the documents, you send them |
| Generates documents | No | No | No | Yes, the HG 859 request (PDF/DOCX) |
| Flight log | No | No | — | Yes, with PDF/Excel export |
| Cost | Free | Free | Included in the DJI app | Free: unlimited checks |
The ROMATSA UAS map
This is the official source. The ROMATSA page publishes the "UAS (restricted and restrictable) geographical zones" with the date they are valid from, plus downloadable files (XLSX, SHP, JSON) with the UAS zones and the NOTAM-restricted zones.
What it does not do: it does not tell you which approval your flight needs and has no request flow; it refers you to AACR and AEROFOTO for flying in the zones. ROMATSA itself warns on the page that the map may not display the zones correctly and recommends the static files.
AEROFOTO (MoND)
This is the app where you submit the MoND clearance request for filming, photography or mapping in the zones that require it. The clearance is free, with an average processing time of 7 days and a maximum of 12.
What it does not do: it does not check the zone or the NOTAMs. It only shows what you asked for and the reply you received.
DJI FlySafe
This is DJI's zone database, in the drone's app. It can block take-off in a DJI zone until you unlock it.
What it does not do: DJI zones are not the same as the official ones, and unlocking in the DJI app is not an approval from the authority. The details are in the guide DJI does not give you flight approval.
Drone Log
You pick the flight point or area, the date, the time and the altitude, and Drone Log shows you:
- the UAS zones from ROMATSA data and the NOTAMs active at the time of the flight;
- your requirements: informing the tower, zone approval, MoND clearance, AACR authorisation;
- the documents to send, generated from your data (the HG 859 request);
- your flight log, with PDF and Excel export.
It works on the web, at drone-log.app, and on iPhone and iPad. The Free plan includes unlimited checks, up to 2 drones and 5 authorisation requests per month.
What it does not do: it does not issue clearances or approvals, does not send requests on your behalf and does not replace the official ROMATSA map or the NOTAMs (PIB). The result is information; responsibility for the flight stays with the pilot.
How to use them together
- Check the flight in Drone Log: zones, NOTAMs, requirements.
- Confirm the zone on the official ROMATSA map.
- If you need the MoND clearance, request it through AEROFOTO.
- If you need zone approval, send the request generated by Drone Log to the authority shown.
- On flight day, re-check the NOTAMs; DJI FlySafe may ask for a separate unlock, which does not replace the approval.
If you still work without apps, see also the comparison Drone Log vs. the manual process.
Sources
- ROMATSA — UAS geographical zones in Romania. flightplan.romatsa.ro
- Overflight authorisations and clearances for filming, photography and mapping flights. serviciipublice.gov.ro
- MoND clearance for aerial filming / photography. defense.ro
Checked on 15 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Does Drone Log replace the ROMATSA map?
No. It uses ROMATSA data and combines it with the NOTAMs and requirements for your flight, but the official source remains the ROMATSA map.
If I unlock the zone in DJI, do I have flight approval?
No. The DJI unlock belongs to the manufacturer. Zone approval comes from the authority shown on the map, and the MoND clearance from the Ministry of National Defence.
Does Drone Log submit the MoND clearance request?
No. It tells you when you need it and what data to prepare; you submit the request in AEROFOTO.
What do I use if I want a single app?
None covers everything. Drone Log shows you what needs doing and where; the ROMATSA map and AEROFOTO remain the official sources and channels.
To move from theory to practice, check if you can fly or use the airspace checker. If the zone requires it, generate the approval request.