RC tracks, model airfields and boat waters in Latvia

In Latvia, the Latvijas kuģu modeļu sporta federācija (LKMSF) represents model boat sport and organises the national championships; model flying is promoted by the Latvijas Lidmodeļu sporta federācija (LLSF), whose calendar includes not only free flight and indoor flying but also the RC glider classes F3K and F5J. We have not found a national RC car association with its own website. Our list includes the off-road track Kangarnieki near Allaži, which publishes its 2026 races itself, Ādaži airfield with the World Cup “Nakotne Cup” and the boat base “Upenieki” in Spuņciems, where the international Piston CUP for RC racing boats is held.

Where can you drive RC cars in Latvia?

Club	Location	Region	Track
Kangarnieki RC	Kangarnieki	Pierīga	Off-road

Where can you fly model aircraft in Latvia?

Club	Location	Region	Models
Ādažu lidlauks	Ādaži	Pierīga	Gliders, Electric

Where can you sail model boats in Latvia?

Club	Location	Region	Models
Latvijas kuģu modeļu sporta federācija	Spuņciems	Pierīga	Racing boats

What are the rules in Latvia?

These associations are responsible in Latvia:

• Ship Model Sport Federation of Latvia (LKMSF): LKMSF describes itself as the main organisation responsible for ship modelling in Latvia (founded in 1998, called “Latvijas radiolaivu sporta kopa” until 2005). It runs national championships for juniors and adults in sections E, M and FSR, fields the national team and has represented Latvia in IMBRA since 2 February 2015 (previously a full NAVIGA member).
• Latvijas Lidmodeļu sporta federācija (LLSF) – Latvian Model Aircraft Sport Federation: According to its website, LLSF has been developing model aircraft sport in Latvia since 1990: it organises national and international competitions, prepares athletes for European and World Championships and provides teaching material. It is an official member of Latvijas Aeroklubs, through which it is linked to the FAI; besides free flight and indoor classes its calendar also covers the RC classes F3K and F5J.

The key points from the law and official pages (retrieved 11/10/2026):

• In Latvia, the authority responsible for drones and model aircraft is the state Civil Aviation Agency (Civilās aviācijas aģentūra, CAA), a public administration body supervised by the Ministry of Transport: it supervises the safety of unmanned aircraft flights, handles registration and exams via its e-services portal and issues, among other things, authorisations for model aircraft clubs. The State Police (Valsts policija) checks drone flights with regard to public order and security (likumi.lv – Likums „Par aviāciju“).
• As a UAS operator you register in the CAA e-services portal (e.caa.gov.lv) – required if your drone has a maximum take-off mass of 250 g or more or carries a camera or other sensor able to capture personal data. Registration costs EUR 5 and is valid for 1 year; you mark every drone you fly with the operator number you receive. Registering as a remote pilot is free of charge and is a prerequisite for the exams (Civilās aviācijas aģentūra – Reģistrācija).
• For subcategories A1 and A3, you complete the CAA’s free online training course and pass a remote online exam (40 questions in 40 minutes, at least 75% correct); a remote pilot number issued in Latvia is a prerequisite. For A2 you additionally need a valid A1/A3 certificate, completed practical self-training and an in-person theory exam in Latvian or English (30 questions in 30 minutes, EUR 15, resit EUR 10). Both certificates are valid for 5 years and recognised throughout the EU (Civilās aviācijas aģentūra – A1/A3 tiešsaistes apmācību kurss un eksāmens).
• In the open category you may fly no higher than 120 metres, measured from the ground or water surface; individual UAS geographical zones may set other height limits. Remote pilots in the open category must be at least 16 years old – according to the CAA, exceptions include flights within a model aircraft club or association holding the relevant CAA authorisation (Civilās aviācijas aģentūra – Atvērtā kategorija).
• Model aircraft clubs and associations registered in Latvia can obtain a CAA authorisation under Article 16 of Regulation (EU) 2019/947 for the drone flights they organise; the procedure is set by Cabinet Regulation No. 627 of 14 September 2021 (in force since 21 September 2021). The authorisation is valid for up to 2 years and can be extended by up to 2 years; among other things, the club needs an organisational structure, a management system and procedures, a registration on the CAA portal and the mandatory insurance (likumi.lv – MK noteikumi Nr. 627 „Gaisa kuģu modeļu klubu vai apvienību organizēto bezpilota gaisa kuģu lidojumu noteikumi“).
• To fly in Latvian airspace, you as UAS operator or drone owner must insure your civil liability for damage to third parties and the environment (Cabinet Regulation No. 447, applicable since 1 January 2022): at least EUR 50,000 per insured event and for the insurance period in total in subcategories A1 and A2; if the maximum take-off mass is 20 kg or more or you fly in the specific category, the minimum amounts of Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 785/2004 apply. Drones under 250 g with a maximum speed below 19 m/s are exempt; for A3 flights under 20 kg the regulation sets no minimum amount (likumi.lv – MK noteikumi Nr. 447 „Noteikumi par civiltiesiskās atbildības obligāto apdrošināšanu bezpilota gaisa kuģu lidojumiem“).
• You register in the EU member state where you have your declared residence, and in only one state at a time; this registration is valid throughout the EU. According to the CAA, the EU as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland share a single framework for registration and remote pilot qualification – certificates obtained there are valid in all these states (Civilās aviācijas aģentūra – Drona pilotēšana ārpus Latvijas).
• Where you may not fly, or only under conditions, is determined by UAS geographical zones (Cabinet Regulation No. 248 of 23 April 2024): among others there are prohibited zones, restricting zones (requiring coordination, notification or specific conditions) and information-only zones; where zones overlap, the conditions of all of them apply. The only official and legally binding source is the interactive map of the air navigation service provider Latvijas gaisa satiksme at airspace.lv/drones – check it before every flight (Civilās aviācijas aģentūra – UAS ģeogrāfiskās zonas).
• Since 1 January 2025, you register flights in UAS geographical zones that require coordination in the CAA’s unmanned aircraft information system BGKIS before starting the flight or series of flights; you need an account with a valid operator registration. The zone manager decides on the request; approvals can be revoked, so check the status before take-off (Civilās aviācijas aģentūra – Lidojumu pieteikšana un saskaņošana UAS ģeogrāfiskajās zonās).
• Under Latvia’s unmanned aircraft flight rules (Cabinet Regulation No. 248), you avoid flying over people, vehicles in road traffic, animals, buildings and engineering structures as far as possible, and cross third-party property in the shortest time and on the safest path. If officials of, for example, the CAA, the police, the State Security Service, the State Border Guard, the fire and rescue service or the armed forces have reasonable doubts and request it, you must stop the flight immediately and show an identity document (likumi.lv – MK noteikumi Nr. 248 „Bezpilota gaisa kuģu lidojumu noteikumi“).

Frequently asked questions

Can I drive on an RC track in Latvia as a guest?

At the off-road track Kangarnieki, yes: it hires out the 280 m track by the hour or by the day, and you reserve via the form on its website. On site there is lap timing, power, water, compressed air and a wash bay; you may stay overnight with your own camping equipment.

Where do RC racing boats compete in Latvia?

The LKMSF organises the international Piston CUP at the boat base “Upenieki” in Spuņciems – in May 2025 and on 11–13/09/2026. Registration is via the association’s online form.

Do I need to register again in Latvia?

No: you register in the EU country where you live, and this registration is valid throughout the EU. Your certificate of competency is also valid in the EU as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

Do I need insurance in Latvia?

For flights in Latvian airspace, Cabinet Regulation No. 447 requires liability insurance – in subcategories A1 and A2 covering at least €50,000 per claim, and higher amounts from 20 kg take-off mass and in the specific category. Drones under 250 g that fly slower than 19 m/s are exempt.

Where am I allowed to fly in Latvia?

The only binding source for the UAS geozones is the map of the air navigation service provider LGS (airspace.lv/drones) – check it before every flight. Since 2025, you register flights in zones that require coordination in advance in the CAA’s drone information system BGKIS; the zone’s administrator decides on the application.