The following information relates specifically to how to obtain approval for aviation safety-related matters only. The organizer shall make sure that no additional permits are required from other institutions.
The application form for light shows shall be sent to the Polish Air Navigation Agency only if the launch site is in the vicinity of an active civil or military airport, according to the maps provided on this page. If the location where the demonstration is to take place is outside the zones indicated on the maps – no application form shall be sent, as the approval of the PANSA is not required. Forms for locations outside the zones indicated on the map will not be processed.
PLEASE NOTE: Under no circumstances or at any location is it allowed to emit light directly towards the aircraft in a manner that may cause glare or dazzle and, as a result, create a risk to the safety of the aircraft or the health of the crew and passengers on board! According to the provisions of the Aviation Law (Art. 211 item 12), such action is punishable by a fine, restriction or imprisonment for up to a year.
If it is necessary to send a form
When sending an application for locations marked on the map above, please note that each location is reviewed by PANSA individually, and the decision is influenced by all the data contained in the form (in addition to geographical coordinates, as well as: time and date of release, quantity, zone diameter and other data contained in the application), thus it is advisable to fill out all fields in the form. On this basis, an assessment of the impact on air traffic is made and a decision is taken:
Granting unconditional approval – the show can take place at the agreed date and location without the need for any other actions from the organizator. However, before the start, you should look around and verify if there is any nearby air traffic for which the conducted show may be an obstruction. If so, the demonstration shall be delayed or conducted in a way that does not jeopardize air traffic safety.
Granting conditional approval – requiring telephone contact with the air traffic service unit indicated in approval response, at least 15 minutes before the implementation of the show. The authority to whom the phone call will be made has the right to delay or forbid/cancel the show altogether, but this will be done ONLY in the case justified by the current operational or meteorological situation. However, in practice, a full refusal of carrying out a show is very rare, instead, the delay of the venture is to be expected.
No consent – if the execution of the show can realistically endanger the air traffic in the vicinity. It is worth bearing in mind that aviation safety is in the mutual interest not only of passengers and flight crews, but also of the person responsible for the show.
Where to send the forms?
In case the need to fill out an application form, download it from this page, print it, fill it out completely, and:
scan and send to asm1@pansa.pl (preferred)
or
fax it to (+ 48 22) 574 57 29.
There is no need to send a hard copy of the form by regular mail to the Agency’s address.
Forms are processed in the order of events. During the summer season, the response time may take longer due to the volume of applications, but we try to respond to all of them in the week preceding your event. The response is sent to the email address provided in the application. The best time to send your request is 14 to 7 days before the scheduled event.
Legal provisions
The basis for the above-mentioned rules is the Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure and the Minister of Defense dated August 3, 2020 on the use of laser or light from other sources in airspace zones. This regulation defines the areas of airspace used for air navigation in which emitting or causing laser beams or light from other sources to be emitted in the direction of aircraft poses a risk to aircraft safety.
