Restricted Airspace Resources
Here you will find useful information on flying a drone within restricted airspace in Ireland.
IAA Issued Geographic Zones Map
The first thing to check with all restricted airspace in ireland is the IAA issued map (embedded below). This map is always up to date and comes straight from the IAA. It tells you exactly where the restricted airspace is in the country. Please note there may be other restrictions in place from time to time. These will be captured in NOTAMS so its always important to review all relevant documentation before flying.
At the time of writing (August 2023) only Specific Category authorisation holders may apply to fly in the restricted airspace. This process is not available to Open category authorisation holders.
Baldonnel / Casement Aerodrome
Drone operations close to Casement Aerodrome (Baldonnel) is highly restricted due to the nature of the activities at this airport. WIth SAR helicopters, Garda helicopters, air ambulance flights and much more occurring all the time it has to be much more selective on when it approves civilian drone flights within its airspace. Below is some guidance material to help anyone who may need to fly in the restricted airspace around Baldonnel.
Important note: Following this guidance material is no guarantee of getting approval to fly. The Irish Air Corp have the ultimate say on what happens in their airspace at any given time.
The location lies within the EIR15 airspace, control of which is shared between the Irish Air Corps and AirNav Ireland (i.e. Dublin ATC). A UF101 form needs to be submitted to suaairspace@airnav.ie. AirNav Ireland (Dublin ATC) will coordinate with the Air Corps and then reply to you with permission or otherwise for the UAS flight as well as a list of conditions which you must abide by.
A key point: Unlike other airports The Air Corps does not permit UAS flights in its area of responsibility (EIR15) whilst there are any air movements at Casement Aerodrome.
Because of the above condition the times during which you may get an approval at Casement Aerodrome are much more restricted . There are usually quieter periods between their training cycles and permission is more likely to be forthcoming from Military ATC during these periods:
Mon – Fri
Between 06:30-09:30
Between 11:30-12:30
Between 14:00-15:00
Between 17:00 – 20:30
Weekends
All day
If you wish to fly a drone close to Casement aerodrome it is best to apply to do so during these times.
One final thing to note is that the Air Corps does not approve any UAS flights inside the EIR23 airspace at any time. The EIRI23 is a 1NM radius circle of airspace surrounding the base which caters for the H24 Garda quick response helicopter.
This information comes direct from The Air Corp ATC section and is current as of August 2023.
Map of drone restricted airspace around casement Aerodrome. EIR 15 airspace is the yellow polygon. EIR23 airspace is the 1NM radius white circle around Baldonnel.