Drone compliance in the Netherlands starts before take-off, and seven free tools cover the whole preflight stack. An airspace checker tells you whether the spot sits in a Dutch no-fly zone — the Schiphol CTR alone covers much of the northern Randstad — and the official GoDrone map confirms it. A weight calculator tells you which side of the 250 g line you fall on, the line that decides RDW registration and the online theory exam, and a registration checker whether you need an exploitant number. A flight planner briefs the operation, a regulation quiz keeps A1, A2 and A3 knowledge sharp, an insurance calculator helps estimate the cover a job needs, and a checklist generator makes the whole routine repeatable. None of them replace official sources under EU Regulation 2019/947 — always verify with GoDrone and the RDW — but together they catch most problems while they are still cheap to fix. Below: all seven, with 21 guides.
The seven free tools every Netherlands pilot should know
Each tool answers one compliance question before you fly. Together they cover the EU framework as applied in the Netherlands, from airspace to paperwork:
- Airspace checker — is this location in a Dutch no-fly zone, and what does the official GoDrone map show for the exact spot
- Weight calculator — which EU rules apply to your actual take-off weight, on either side of the 250 g line
- Flight planner — site, altitude at or below 120 m, airspace, people on the ground, and a plan for changes
- Registration checker — does your drone need an RDW operator (exploitant) number, and is an existing one still current
- Regulation quiz — is your A1, A2 and A3 knowledge still sharp enough to fly on
- Insurance calculator — roughly what liability cover a specific job calls for, before you bid
- Checklist generator — a repeatable preflight sequence so compliance never depends on memory
7 free tools — what each one actually solves
One card per tool, with an honest line on the problem it solves. Each links to our comparison of the best free picks, and every tool also has a how-to guide and a why-you-need-it guide in the index below.
Airspace Checker
Answers the first question of every Dutch flight — is this spot in a no-fly zone — by showing CTRs, airports and restricted areas, with the Schiphol CTR alone covering much of the northern Randstad.
Weight Calculator
Tells you which side of the 250 g line your take-off weight actually falls on — the line that decides whether RDW registration and the online theory exam apply to you.
Flight Planner
Turns a rough intention into a briefed flight — site, altitude at or below 120 m, airspace, people on the ground and a plan for when conditions change.
Registration Checker
Settles the do-I-need-an-RDW-exploitant-number question — weight, camera or no camera, and whether your operator number is current and visible on the drone.
Regulation Quiz
Keeps your EU A1, A2 and A3 knowledge sharp between flights — a few Open category questions surface the gaps before the field does.
Insurance Calculator
Helps you think through the liability cover a specific job needs — the site, what is underneath, and the client's requirements — before you bid.
Checklist Generator
Builds preflight discipline into every launch — a repeatable sequence so compliance never depends on memory.
All 21 guides, by tool
Every tool has three dedicated guides: a comparison of the best free options, a step-by-step how-to, and the case for why it belongs in your preflight stack. Find yours below.
Airspace Checker (3)
Checklist Generator (3)
Flight Planner (3)
Insurance Calculator (3)
Registration Checker (3)
Regulation Quiz (3)
Why compliance tools matter before you fly
EU Regulation 2019/947, as applied in the Netherlands, asks real questions of every flight, and the time to answer them is before launch, not after:
- Registration is nearly universal — operators register with the RDW for an exploitant number, with exceptions only for drones under 250 g without a camera and for toy drones; the number must be visible on the drone
- The rules split by risk — the Open category runs from A1 (up to 900 g, over people but never crowds) through A2 (up to 4 kg, close to people) to A3 (up to 25 kg, 150 m from uninvolved people and built-up areas)
- From 250 g an exam applies — the online theory exam with a recognized Dutch flight school earns the A1/A3 certificate, and A2 flying needs the additional certificate of proficiency
- Limits apply everywhere — the 120 m maximum height, visual line of sight and the ban on flying over crowds apply regardless of where or what you fly
- Tools are aids, not authorities — free tools catch problems early, but GoDrone, the RDW and ILT decide; always verify before you rely on a result
The 5-step free preflight stack
Run the tools in this order before every flight, and most compliance problems surface while they are still easy to fix:
Check the aircraft
Run the weight calculator and registration checker: know your take-off weight, which Open category rules apply, and that your RDW exploitant number is current and visible on the drone.
Check the airspace
Use an airspace checker for a first look, then verify the exact location on the official GoDrone map — CTRs like Schiphol's reach much further than most pilots expect.
Plan the flight
Brief the operation with a flight planner: altitude at or below 120 m, visual line of sight, people to keep clear of — never over crowds — and what you will do if conditions change.
Check yourself
A quick regulation quiz keeps A1, A2 and A3 knowledge sharp, and an insurance estimate confirms a commercial job carries sensible cover before you commit.
Run the checklist
Generate and run your preflight checklist at the site, then verify anything uncertain against GoDrone, the RDW or ILT before you launch.
Frequently asked questions
Fly legally anywhere in the Netherlands
Build your free preflight stack, check GoDrone before you launch — and keep the EU framework under control.