Issue Number: FISB UAS/2025 01

Subject Area: Unmanned Aircraft Systems Activity in Aerial Firefighting Environment

1. Introduction

The operational use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in airspace zones with active forest fires constitutes a high-risk activity for flight safety and operational continuity. During the wildfire season, the simultaneous presence of UAS and manned aerial firefighting assets increases the probability of mid-air collisions due to:

• operation within the same altitude range;
• lack of compatible detect-and-avoid systems; and • increased operational workload of firefighting crews.

This bulletin is issued to ensure coordinated, safe, and legally compliant UAS operations in aerial firefighting areas.

The geographical restrictions are established by decision of the National Coordination Center for Operations & Crisis Management (E.S.K.E.DI.K.), which provides the necessary information to the Hellenic Aviation Service Provider (HASP) for the issuance and publication of the relevant NOTAM.

2. Legislative & Regulatory Framework

• Regulation (EU) 2019/947 on the rules and procedures for the operation of unmanned aircraft – AMC/GM on UAS.OPEN.060 and UAS.SPEC.050 (ED Decision 2019/021/R).
• ICAO Annex 11 – Air Traffic Services.
• EASA Safety Information Bulletins & FAA Wildfire UAS Toolkit.
• Ministerial Decision 29190 οικ. Φ.109.1/2020 (Government Gazette 3005/B 20.7.2020) – Regulation on the Organization and Operation of the National Coordination Center for Operations & Crisis Management (E.S.K.E.DI.K.), defining structure, staffing, and other provisions.

3. Scope of Application

This bulletin applies to any UAS flight within Greek airspace under the Open and Specific categories, excluding State UAS activities or those conducted on behalf of the Fire Service, when:

• active aerial firefighting operations are underway; or
• geographical restriction/prohibition zones are in effect as published by NOTAM.

Key risks:

• mid-air collision with manned firefighting aircraft;
• obstruction of critical operational activities;
• grounding of the firefighting fleet;
• endangerment of human lives and public safety.

4. UAS Operator Obligations in Wildfire Areas

• Prohibition of flight within a UAS geographical zone subject to flight restriction or prohibition, as defined by NOTAM issued following a decision by E.S.K.E.DI.K. and published by HASP.
• Immediate termination of flight and landing in case of detection of aerial firefighting activity or upon receiving a message from the EU Emergency Number – 112 regarding a wildfire in the area of operation.
• Priority to manned assets – Immediate yielding of priority to manned aircraft.
• Immediate activation of safe landing procedures for the UAS in case of visual or electronic indication of danger.

5. Penalties

Violation of the above geographical restrictions entails:

• administrative fine under the national regulatory framework;
• criminal prosecution for obstructing an assigned public service;
• suspension or revocation of operational declaration / remote pilot certificate;
• seizure and confiscation of the UAS.

6. Contact

Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority – General Aviation, UAS & Urban Air Mobility Department

Email: [email protected]

Tel.: +30 210 3541310

7. Entry into Force

This bulletin enters into force upon its publication on the HCAA website (https://hcaa.gov.gr/el) and remains in effect until amended or revoked by the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority.