DIRCAM - CNFAS meeting

As every year in January, all the aeronautical federations are invited to a consultation meeting with the armed forces, with a presentation of the 2020 plans and a review of the past year.

- Lessons learned (REX) 2019

• Review of the ZIT LAD after 1 year in operation and feedback: the number of zones will fall considerably, with only about twenty remaining, which would be downgraded to Zone E and apply only to malicious drones (0 to 500 ft); all other aircraft will not be affected by these zones (as today).
• Feedback on the central zones: for this year again, these zones remain under observation to gather feedback on how they are used.
• The number of exercises (212) in 2019 was comparable to 2018, with no increase. Likewise, the Wednesdays affected came to 7 over the year, which is equivalent to 2018.

The DIRCAM asks us to share a calendar of major events run by the aeronautical leagues so that it can take our requests into account when planning in-flight exercises (the CNFAS gave out again the link to the calendar shared by all the federations, listing the major events planned for the current year).

- Presentation of the 2020 forecast

The general told us that after 10 years of cuts in staff and equipment, a 30% loss over 10 years, this year the army is returning to growth, and so its need for airspace is increasing given the new aeronautical equipment: Rafale, drones, A400M. However, the number of exercises should not rise because the airspace will be better used.

• Presentation of the project to modify the RTBA (low-altitude restricted-use network); it is only at the study stage, so it will take about 2 to 3 years before it arrives. Of course, the federations will be consulted regularly as the project progresses.
• The federations were warned about plans for firing ranges.
• Drone flight exercises within the CAG continue, in all airspace and at all altitudes, so as eventually to free up the corridors reserved for drones.
• A short reminder about using the Alpha Tango site to declare professional and personal drone flights at H-4h, so as to locate them on the site of
• The army uses this information for its pilots on exercise.

- Information from the commander of the BGTA: several large and medium-sized airports will be equipped with surveillance drones flown by BGTA gendarmes during 2020, to keep watch on malicious drones and also to make commercial flights safer.

In conclusion, this 21 January was a day of very rich and constructive exchanges for all parties present.