Flight plan and NOTAM for drones

Overview

NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) is a temporary notice informing pilots about airspace changes, temporary restricted zones, airshow events or hazardous objects. A NOTAM is valid for a specified period and a specific airspace area.

For drone pilots, NOTAMs are relevant when planning to fly in controlled airspace (CTR, ATZ) or when conducting a drone operation that requires a NOTAM to be published.

Rules

In Open category, pilots are not required to file a flight plan with AESA, but must check current NOTAMs and geo-zones before every flight. Use utm.ans.lt or the Spanish ENAIRE portals to check NOTAMs.

In Specific category, drone operations often require a flight plan submission and potentially a NOTAM publication — especially if the operation may affect commercial air traffic.

Licence

NOTAM and flight planning topics appear in A2 and STS exams. You must understand what a NOTAM is, how to read it and when it applies to drone pilots.

Specific NOTAM types relevant to drone pilots: Temporary Reserved Areas (TRA), Danger Zones (D), military activity warnings. Each type has different implications and requires a different response.

Siguiente paso

Before every flight, check NOTAMs via utm.ans.lt or the ENAIRE Spain portal. Build the habit: geo-zones + NOTAMs + weather check = complete pre-flight briefing.

The flight plan submission process in Specific category is described in AESA guidance. If the process is unclear, contact ENAIRE directly.

Preguntas frecuentes

Can a drone operation trigger a NOTAM to inform other pilots?

Yes, if the drone operation takes place in airspace where other aircraft may be present. In certain cases AESA or ENAIRE may require a NOTAM publication as a safety measure.

Where can I find current NOTAMs for Spain?

NOTAMs can be checked via ENAIRE Spain (ans.lt) and the utm.ans.lt platform. International NOTAMs are published through the ICAO NOTAM system.