LVNL introduces drone safety information mobile app

Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL) – the Netherlands’ air navigation service provider (ANSP) – has announced that it has received the first phase in the development of the country’s first nationwide UTM platform.

Phase One, which is the GoDrone mobile app (for iOS and Android) and companion website, is a platform which provides vital safety information to recreational and commercial drone pilots in the Netherlands. The application gives users comprehensive airspace safety information critical to the safe operation of drones. Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs), ground hazards, terrain and current weather conditions are all displayed on an interactive map and as detailed area reports.

Using Altitude Angel’s GuardianUTM O/S as the foundation technology, the mobile and web apps include:

• Multi Language support (English and Dutch)
• Netherlands-specific information via local datasets, such as waterways and ‘Natura 2000’ parks
• A custom set of map layers, indicating ground elevation.

Having only announced the partnership with Altitude Angel in late December 2019, LVNL has received the GoDrone web and mobile apps in a little over three months. With Phase One now complete, LVNL will begin to work on the next phase – a pre-approval for drone flights in controlled airspace (CTR) as part of the procedural and collaborative interface with ATC through U-space.

CEO of LVNL, Michiel van Dorst, said: “I’m excited about this milestone. The launch of the GoDrone mobile and web apps is the first step in enabling LVNL to build the Netherlands the infrastructure it needs to open Dutch airspace for special flight operations, to commercial drone use and ultimately BVLOS flight. With Altitude Angel, we have built a qualitative app in a short time. We are looking forward to our cooperation for the coming phases, to further develop the GoDrone web and mobile app to create value for the drone industry in the Netherlands.”