Before any drone flight in Romania, you need to know whether your chosen location falls within a UAS geographical zone (geo-zone) — permanent or temporary — that imposes restrictions, conditions, or prohibitions. Correct UAS zone verification is a mandatory step in mission planning under EU Regulation 2019/947.

What UAS zones are

UAS zones are polygons (or volumes of airspace) defined by authorities to protect:

  • airports and helipads
  • military and sensitive installations
  • protected natural areas
  • urban areas with increased risk
  • events or critical infrastructure

Each zone has its own rules: total prohibition, flight permitted under conditions, authorisation required, and so on.

Official sources in Romania

ROMATSA — restricted UAV zone catalogue

The Romanian Civil Aeronautical Authority (AACR) and ROMATSA publish data on zones relevant to UAVs. These form the basis for national flight planning.

EASA — European framework

EASA explains the concept of UAS geographical zones at EU level. National rules may add extra zones or stricter conditions — which is why checking on the Romania map is essential.

Step-by-step verification with Drone Log

  1. Open the map for pre-flight verification (free account or logged in)
  2. Enter the location — address, GPS coordinates, or click on the map
  3. Review the layers — UAS zones, NOTAMs, restrictions
  4. Read the result — permitted, conditional, or restricted
  5. Save the check in your logbook for traceability

Drone Log combines ROMATSA data with active NOTAMs, so you are not checking permanent zones alone.

What the map results mean

Flight permitted (no major restrictions)

You can continue planning, but still verify:

  • distance from people and property
  • operational category (Open / Specific)
  • operator registration and competency requirements

Conditional zone

You may need:

  • MoD/MApN clearance (HG 859/2011)
  • AACR authorisation
  • coordination with ATC or the zone operator

Prohibited zone

Flight is prohibited without explicit approval. Do not "test the limits" — the legal and safety risk is real.

See the detailed list in the article on prohibited zones for drones.

Common mistakes

  • Checking only once — zones and NOTAMs change
  • Confusing general maps with the official UAS catalogue
  • Ignoring altitude — some zones allow flight below certain limits
  • No documentation — without a logbook, it is hard to demonstrate due diligence

Integration into your pre-flight routine

| Step | Action | |------|--------| | 1 | Check UAS zones on the map | | 2 | Check NOTAMs for the flight date | | 3 | Confirm competency (A1/A3, A2, etc.) | | 4 | Obtain clearances if required | | 5 | Log the flight in your logbook |

Conclusion

Checking UAS zones is not optional — it is the foundation of legal drone flight in Romania. Use official sources and tools that combine permanent zones with NOTAMs. Drone Log gives you centralised verification; you remain responsible for complying with the rules applicable on the day of the flight.