Air safety – Drones and model aircraft

The EU drone regulation applies in Switzerland from 1st January 2023.

It is up to you, drone pilot, to make inquiries and ensure you comply with the  new regulations. This, before operating a drone on Swiss area.

Do you have any question about the new regulations?
Please refer to the FOCA’s website.

Operate a drone on the EPFL campus

Any overflight of the EPFL campus by aircraft weighing less than 30 kg requires specific authorization to be requested from the SIS (Intervention and Safety Service) via the authorization request form, at least 5 working days before the flight.

For drones weighing more than 500 grams:

  • Flying higher than 50 meters above ground level: we remind you that additional authorization must be requested from the head of the Lausanne-Blécherette airfield, as the EPFL campus is located less than 5 km from the airfield (see map below). Each such authorization is subject to a CHF 50 fee since October 1, 2017. The name of the contact person will be given to you by email if need be.
  • Flying lower than 50 meters above ground level: the authorization granted by the DSPS is sufficient thanks to an agreement with the airfield.

Regarding liability insurance (compulsory for drones weighing more than 500 g):

  • For EPFL units (laboratories, departments, faculties, etc.), the School has contracted a liability insurance for drones weighing less than 5 kg. It is therefore not necessary to contract a specific liability insurance.
  • For the School’s host entities (associations, foundations, partners, etc.), it is on the other hand necessary to contract an insurance for drones weighing more than 500 grams.

Please address all questions or requests for further information by email to [email protected].

Zoom on the area within a 5-km radius of the Lausanne-Blécherette airfield