Buying a drone is easy. Working with it professionally is something else. The value lies not in the aircraft but in what you do with the data. For some SMEs it pays to fly in-house. For others, outsourcing is cheaper and safer. This article helps you choose.
What the rules require
- Registration. Anyone flying a drone with a camera must register as an operator with the Belgian Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA). Registration is free.
- Certificate. For a drone under 250 grams (class C0), reading the manual is sufficient. Heavier drones require an online exam (A1/A3) and possibly an additional exam (A2).
- Insurance. An ordinary business policy usually does not cover drone use. Aviation third-party liability insurance is mandatory.
- Airspace. Around airports, military zones and other geozones, permission is required, with fixed application lead times.
In the Open category, a drone under 250 grams may briefly fly over uninvolved persons, but never over crowds. Flights close to people with heavier drones, or in a town centre, require the Specific category, with a risk assessment and an authorisation.
When flying in-house makes sense
- You regularly need simple overview images, for example of a roof before a quote
- The locations are outside geozones and away from people
- Someone in your team has time to keep up with the rules, maintenance and logbooks
A roofer who looks at a roof every week before preparing a quote benefits from having his own compact drone.
When outsourcing is better
- You need measurable data: an orthophoto, an elevation model, a volume or a point cloud. That requires a drone with RTK and a mechanical shutter, photogrammetry software and processing experience.
- The location is in a CTR, in a town centre or close to people
- You need it a few times a year
- The data must stand up in a dispute or an audit
In those cases the aircraft is the smallest part of the cost. Training, insurance, software, processing time and the paperwork for each flight weigh more heavily.
Training and subsidy
Flemish SMEs can receive support through the kmo-portefeuille (the Flemish SME wallet) for training with a registered service provider: 30% for a small enterprise, 20% for a medium-sized one. Since 1 February 2026, advice only qualifies if it concerns cybersecurity. Check the current conditions with VLAIO before you enrol.
FAQ
Can I process the data myself?
Yes. Cloud platforms and open-source tools such as WebODM exist. Do allow for a learning curve before the results are measurable and reliable.
Is my drone insured under my business policy?
Usually not. Check with your insurer and, where necessary, take out aviation third-party liability insurance.
Related service: Roof & Façade
Source: VLAIO, kmo-portefeuille, consulted September 2026.