🖐 Hagia Sophia, which means ‘Holy Wisdom’, is one of the most iconic landmark in Istanbul, Turkey. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is protected by various regulations to preserve its architectural and cultural significance. However, flying a drone in this area requires a permit. In this blog post, we'll discuss how to obtain a permit to fly a drone near Hagia Sophia. Give a 👍 at the end of this post & feel free to share your experience or any updates you might have in the Turkey Drone Forum. Keep in mind that the content below is updated to the best of our knowledge & does not replace official sources & your research.
Hagia Sophia is in the Turkey which follows the common rules of the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGCA). If you're looking for the unmanned aerial vehicle rules of Turkey then click here.
In a nutshell, no matter where in Turkey, you should fly:
at a maximum altitude of 100 m above the ground
away from private property, vehicles in movement, people or large crowds & respect individuals' privacy.
a drone weighting less than 4 kg at less than 50 km/h
away from airports (any airport, seaplane base or area where aircraft or helicopter take off & land) & give way to all other type of aircraft.
away from areas where its use could interfere with police or first responders.
avoiding sensitive areas including government or military facilities
Can I fly a drone in Istanbul?
Yes, this is a great news as the city is pretty friendly when it comes to drone use. Providing you follow the country's rules and avoid restricted areas you are sweet to fly your drone in the city. This is valid for drone under 500g such as the Mavic Mini, any drone above 500g will need to be registered.
How to register for flying my drone in Istanbul?
✅ If you are a Turkish citizen, then the process is prety straightforward and you can register via this online portal. Unfortunately, the process is only available in Turkish & for Turkish residents & citizens at the moment (as you would need to register yourself prior).
✅ The second great news is, you're exempt from registering at all if your drone weights less than 500g.
🚨 Sadly, if you're a foreigner and own a drone weighting over 500 g, you will need to register it ahead, see here. Failing to do do this prior landing in Turkey will most likely result in your drone being confiscated or at best 'stored' at the airport. To complete the registration, you will need:
the technical specs of your drone *If you've a DJI model such as the Mavic Pro or Mavic Pro 2, you won't need this as they have copies (unless you modified it).
an invoice (signed by seller) & conformity to GTİP with brand, model & serial number
a receipt of the payed fee, see here
Catching a plane to visit Turkey? Be compliant & get your fireproof lipo battery bags
Drone Fly Map for Istanbul, Turkey
✅ We did not find an official fly zone map for drones in Turkey "If you have more information about this, please let us know anytime in the Turkey Drone Discussion Group". Thankfully, DJI Fly Safe has listed restricted flight zones in a convenient way organised in a 3 colour legend which should give you a good first idea:
red = restricted airspace
blue = authorisation required airspace
yellow = warning airspace (limited height)
Has highlighted, the Istanbul historic centre where the Hagia Sophia is located is under a warning airspace zone which will require additional authorisations.
How to apply for a permit to fly my drone near Hagia Sophia?
Depending on the purpose of your drone flight, you may be able to obtain permits from the DGCA or local civil aviation authorities. It is important to obtain the necessary permits before flying your drone near Hagia Sophia.
🚨 Understandably, recreational drones are not allowed to fly over landmark sites, including the Hagia Sophia without a permit. There are several reasons for you to need a permit but the main one being the amount of activity happening in this amazing place. Hagia Sophia is indeed one of the busiest places in the world as it welcomes:
6.5 millions visitors each year, that's 18,000 people everyday !
Is open from 10am to 10pm everyday of the year.
When considering the amount of visitors it attracts daily, its easier to understand why it is so regulated to fly a drone nearby.
How do I apply for a permit to fly near the Hagia Sophia?
You will find the necessary form (FR-23) available here, and send it completed along the required attahcments to Gazi Mustafa Kemal Bulvarı No:128/A 06570 Maltepe / ANKARA
If you need to follow up, you can contact them via this link
🚨 We expect a fee is required to secure the rights the fly near the Hagia Sophia and understand you must apply at least 10 working days ahead of your flying time. If you gain further information about applying for a permit to fly your drone near the Hagia Sophia, please let us know in the Turkey Drone Forum so we can update this post in turn.
What do I risk for flying a drone illegally near Hagia Sophia?
The amount & scope of the fine will depend on the nature & severity of your infraction. The judges will also evaluate if you intentionally committed the infraction and/or if you had any commercial purposes to do such. Turkish authorities however specified that you could end with one or several of the following if:
you fly in a regulated space: 1,803 - 18,025 TL (approx. $300-$3,000) fine.
you fly outside the rules/in a dangerous manner: 2,603 TL (approx. $420) fine.
you fail to register your drone: 9,013 TL (approx $1,500) fine.
you do not register all your drone's specs: 18,025 (approx $3,000) fine.
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Flying a drone near the Hagia Sophia can be a truly breathtaking experience, but it requires a responsible approach and adherence to regulations. By following the essential rules outlined in this blog post, you can ensure a safe, enjoyable, and legally compliant drone flight while capturing stunning aerial perspectives of Istanbul. Remember, the preservation of this cultural treasure and the safety of its visitors are of utmost importance, so always fly with respect and mindfulness.
✅ Please leave a comment or update Turkey Drone Forum when you receive news and/or gain experience with your drone over Turkey! Have fun and safe flight!
Disclaimer: Although great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information researched, we take no responsibility for any loss, harm or damage caused as a direct or indirect consequence of relying on this information. It is your responsibility to seek advice from qualified local & relevant authorities for needed information about local drone rules and regulations.
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