How to check who is flying the drone?
What to do when a drone appears over a street, lot or building? How to check who is flying a drone over your head? There are several ways - what's more, identification is available virtually at your fingertips. Here are our recommendations for checking drone flights in Poland, as well as tips on what steps to take when a violation or privacy violation is suspected.
How to verify a drone flight? Basic identification methods
The first step is visual observation - make sure the drone operator is flying safely. It is particularly important to maintain a distance from people and buildings, as well as to avoid flying over gatherings of people. Violations drone regulations or suspicious operations should be reported to the relevant services - ULC, PAŻP or the police. Wanting to check a flight in a more formal way, you can use several tools:
CoTuLata.en - service launched by the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency (PAŻP), where you can check whether a planned or ongoing flight has been reported. If an operation seems suspicious, you can submit a report directly on the site or contact the police or the Civil Aviation Authority.
Flight monitoring applications (DroneTower, DroneMap) - with their use you can check reported flights and air zones in real time. Also these solutions are operated by the PAŻP. Thanks to them, you can see whether someone has declared a mission at a particular location (known as check-in), what the flight parameters are and whether the space is allowed.
State registries - National Drone Information System (KSID) and drones website.gov.pl allow you to verify that the operator has the mandatory authorization and identification number. Registration of drone operators and pilots facilitates identification in case of airspace violations.
What it looks like in practice? If you see a drone live, and after verification in CoTuLata.pl, DroneTower or DroneMap you see a marked mission in the place where you observe the drone, then in all likelihood the flight is reported and legal. Based on the information on these portals, you can also further verify the drone and its operator. Jhe report does not exist, it is worth recording the time and place, as well as a recording or photo in order to pass the information to the relevant services.
Drone pilot vs. drone operator - what's the difference? Who needs to be registered and how to do it?
In discussions about flight verification, two very close terms often come up - pilot and operator. Who's who? Drone operator is the entity (natural or legal person) registered in KSID, which is responsible for the operation of the device. Operators must register with the ULC system and have an operator ID for recreational and commercial flights. After registration, the operator receives an identification number, which must be placed on the device.
Piloting a drone is, however, the person making the flight - may or may not be the same person as the operator. The pilot is required to be competent (e.g., A1/A3 or A2 training, depending on the category of flight) and to fly in accordance with the rules of. Pilot number does not have to be indicated on the drone.
When trying to determine who is flying the drone, the easiest clue is therefore the operator's number. It is worth bearing in mind that it is the operator who is responsible for carrying out the operation in accordance with the regulations, and it is the operator who bears the possible legal consequences.
DroneTower - how to check a flight?
DroneTower is the official application provided by the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency (PAŻP) for reporting and monitoring drone flight plans. It is used to report flights in Poland. In practice, it looks like this:
The pilot logs into DroneTower and performs what is known as check-in. Provide location, time and flight parameters (altitude, radius of operation, category). The system makes a preliminary assessment of compliance with regulations.
The map shows active notifications and restricted zones. If someone near your scheduled flight has already done a check-in, you can check the details - it's worth knowing that subsequent operations may then be blocked until the previous ones are completed.
If the flight has not been reported and the drone performs risky maneuvers, in the CoTuLata app.pl you can file a report about a suspicious flight.
Airspace monitoring - what you should know?
Surveillance isn't just about apps - it's an entire legal and technical framework that is vital for drone pilots and operators. PAŻP may designate zones where drone flights are prohibited or restricted. It is also important to remember that the use of drones is subject to national and EU regulations. They specify m.in. height limits (usually up to 120 m), required distances from people or buildings and registration obligations. Moreover, from the point of view of civil law, the airspace over private property is considered public property and is regulated by the state.
Security breaches vs. establishing the identity of the pilot
If the flight violates regulations, first of all, document the incident to help identify the drone and the operator. Then check out DroneTower, CoTuLata.pl or DroneMap. If you have suspicions of a crime or security threat, report the matter to the police, the ULC or the PAŻP. Remember that each operator must have an identification number placed on the device - its absence can also be grounds for reporting to the relevant services.
Before your own drone flight, remember to register, check regulations, and get the right equipment. In our store you will find proposals from various manufacturers, m.in. DJI - e.g., new model DJI Mini 5 Pro, including sets with additional accessories.
FAQ - questions and answers
How to check who is flying a drone over my plot or street?
It is best to use official PAŻP tools, such as CoTuLata.pl, DroneTower or DroneMap, which show reported flights and active missions at a given location.
You can check whether a particular drone flight is legal?
Yes. If the flight is reported in the PAŻP systems, in all likelihood it is taking place legally. Failure to report could mean a violation.
Does every drone operator need to be registered?
Yes. The drone operator must be registered with KSID and have an identification number, which should be on the device.
Does the airspace over private property belong to the owner?
Not. Airspace is regulated by the state, and drone flights are subject to national and EU regulations, regardless of land ownership.
Where to report a suspicious or unsafe drone flight?
Suspicious flight can be reported through CoTuLata.pl, to the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency, the Civil Aviation Authority or directly to the police.