A blue field with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag. The coat of arms includes a crest with a pineapple, representing the connection with Jamaica, and a turtle, representing Cayman’s seafaring tradition, above a shield bearing a golden lion, symbolizing Great Britain, below which are three green stars (representing the three islands) surmounting white and blue wavy lines representing the sea. A scroll below the shield bears the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS.

Flag courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Map courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Google Earth

Grand Cayman is a low-lying, limestone island located on top of a submarine ridge. The city of George Town, the capital and chief port of the Cayman Islands, may be seen at the southwest end of the island. Grand Cayman’s 7-mile beach is on the western side of the island. With exotic coral reefs off its shores, Grand Cayman is a mecca for divers.

Photo courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Last updated on April 18, 2024

Government

According to Britannica, the constitution, which came into effect in 2009 and was amended in 2020, provides for internal autonomy under a governor, a cabinet, and a Parliament. The British monarch, represented by the governor, is head of state. The head of government is the premier, appointed by the governor to serve no more than two consecutive four-year terms. The governor is responsible for foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and the police. A deputy governor, who must be Caymanian, assists the governor and heads the civil service. The governor leads the cabinet, which includes the premier, six other members appointed by the governor, and two nonvoting members: the deputy governor and the attorney general. The Parliament consists of 15 elected members and 3 nonelected members from the cabinet.

The Cayman Islands did not have formal political parties for many years; instead, so-called “national teams” made up of nominally independent politicians ran in elections. The Progressive Democratic Party (formed in 1991) was the first political organization to take shape since the 1960s; in 1996 two other groups, the Democratic Alliance and Team Cayman, emerged. Two formal parties, the United Democratic Party and the People’s Progressive Movement, were established in 2001 and 2002, respectively.

There are three levels of courts in the Cayman Islands. Subordinate courts have civil and criminal jurisdiction. Appeals from the subordinate courts go to the Grand Court, which also hears the more serious cases within the criminal, family, common law and civil jurisdictions. Legal actions taken as a result of international offshore banking and financial activities in the Caymans usually are brought before the Grand Court; these involve complex issues and substantial assets. The Court of Appeal hears appeals from the Grand Court; it is composed of a president and at least two judges of appeal. The chief justice of the Grand Court is responsible for all matters concerning the judiciary, serving as a liaison to the other branches of government and as a consultant to the head of the Court of Appeal. Caymanian magistrates and judges are appointed by the governor on the advice of various other officials, depending on the court on which the justices will serve. A Judicial and Legal Services Commission advises the governor on judicial appointments and disciplinary control over the members of the judiciary. The commission has eight members, including the president of the Court of Appeal and seven others who are appointed by the governor in consultation with other government members and legal professional organizations.

Civil / National Aviation Authority (CAA/NAA)

The role of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands (CAACI) is primarily to function as the regulatory organization responsible for safety oversight and economic regulation of the aviation industry throughout the territory and to ensure that the Cayman Islands aviation industry conforms to the standards and recommended practices of the ICAO. The guiding legislation to ensure compliance with the ICAO standards and recommended practices is the Air Navigation (Overseas Territory) Order.

Airspace

SkyVector – Google Maps – ADS-B Exchange

ICAO countries publish an Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP). This document is divided into three parts: General (GEN), En Route (ENR) and Aerodromes (AD). ENR 1.4 details the types of airspace classes they chose to adopt from classes A through G. Cayman Islands AIP

Drone Regulations

Small Unmanned Aircraft Laws

APPLICATION TO THE CAACI FOR A PERMISSION TO OPERATE A SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT FOR AERIAL WORK

1.1 Small Unmanned Aircraft (SUA) is the generic term used in the aviation legislation covering a variety of similar names including, but not limited to, drones, minicopters, quad-copters, radio control model aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft and (small) unmanned aerial vehicles.

1.2 The current legislation relating to SUA is contained in Article 73 of the Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) Order 2013 [AN(OT)O 2013] as amended.

1.3 In addition and with effect from 1st February 2016 SUA are prohibited from flying within 3 nautical miles (nm) of the perimeter of:

a) Owen Roberts International Airport (Grand Cayman);

b) Charles Kirkconnell International Airport (Cayman Brac) and;

c) Edward Bodden Airfield (Little Cayman).

In addition, SUA are also prohibited from flying within 1 nm of the perimeter of H M Prison Northward.

See paragraph 8 for links to maps of the four restricted areas.

1.4 For the purposes of the AN(OT)O 2013, an SUA is deemed, by definition, to be an “aircraft” and the operator of a small unmanned aircraft is similarly deemed to be its “pilot” for the purposes of accountability and responsibility, regardless of age and experience.

1.5 Essentially, the operation of SUAs fall into two categories either:

a) flying for commercial gain, known as Aerial Work or;

b) recreational flying.

The applicable regulations are identified, in brief, as follows:

2.1 An organization or individual offering services involving the use of a SUA (of any weight) in exchange for financial reward or commercial advantage (otherwise known as Aerial Work) must be in possession of a current Permission issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands. Permission will ensure the competence of the operator to provide a safe service and will require him/her to be medically fit and hold “adequate third-party liability insurance”.

2.2 An organization or individual undertaking aerial work without a Permission required by Article 73 of the AN(OT)O 2013 may be guilty of an offense and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 2500.00 pounds sterling or its equivalent in the currency of the Territory.

3.1 An application for a Permission to undertake aerial work should be made on the application form which can be found at the following link: Application Form

3.2 The completed application form should be submitted to the CAACI together with a detailed Operations Manual compiled in accordance with the template provided via the following link: Operations Manual Template

4.1 A CAACI Permission to undertake aerial work only meets the requirements of aviation legislation. It does not absolve the applicant from the responsibility of complying with the requirements of other national agencies. Other interested parties might include:

a) Business License

b) The Information & Communications Technology Authority and; ICTA

c) Lands & Surveys Department. Lands & Survey

5.1 If the SUA weighs less than 7kg (15lbs) and is being flown recreationally the Requirement is:

a) not to fly within the restricted zones identified in paragraph 1.3 above;

b) not to fly at a height of more than 400 feet above ground level.

c) To fly safely and responsibly without endangering other people or causing damage to property.

5.2 If the SUA weighs between 7kg (15lbs) and 20kgs (44lbs) the aircraft may not be flown:

a) within the restricted zones identified in paragraph 1.3 above;

b) within 3 nautical miles of an international airport (ORIA and CKIA) without; the permission of the appropriate air traffic control unit.

c) at a height of more than 400 feet above ground level. It is incumbent upon the pilot/operator to fly safely and responsibly without endangering other people or causing damage to property.

5.3 In no circumstances may a Small Unmanned Surveillance Aircraft (SUSA), defined as a small unmanned aircraft that is equipped to undertake any form of surveillance or data acquisition including photographic or filming for either recreational or commercial purposes, be flown:

a) over or within 150 meters of any congested area;

b) over or within 150 meters of an organized open-air assembly of more than 1000 persons;

c) within 50 meters of any vessel, vehicle or structure which is not under the control of the person in charge of the aircraft;

d) within 50 meters of any person unless:

i) the SUSA is taking off or landing in which case the separation distance is reduced from 50 meters to 30 Meters;

ii) the person is either the person in charge of the SUSA or is under the control of the person in charge of the SUSA.

The Cayman Islands Model Flying Association (CIMFA) is an organization of recreational flyers that may be able to provide information and training to those new to the sport.

The CIMFA can be contacted either by email: cimfa345@gmail.com or thru their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/andymac345/

7.1 It is incumbent upon the pilot of a SUA, to fly the aircraft in a safe and considered manner.

The following code of conduct is provided as essential guidance:

‘Dos’:

Do – fly an SUA at the local model aircraft club;

Do – take lessons and learn to fly safely;

Do – be aware of the risk of low flying aircraft;

Do – remember that dangerous or improper use of an SUA will render you liable to prosecution.

‘Don’ts’:

Don’t – fly within 3 nm of the perimeter of: Owen Roberts International Airport; Charles Kirkconnell International Airport; Edward Bodden Airfield (Little Cayman).

Don’t – fly within 1 nm of the perimeter of HM Prison Northward;

Don’t – fly higher than 400ft above ground level;

Don’t – fly in the vicinity of aircraft;

Don’t – fly beyond the unaided visual line of site of the operator;

Don’t – fly an SUA weighing more than 20 kgs

Don’t – undertake Aerial Work unless you hold a current Permission.

8.1 The following links may be used to access the maps for the restricted zones applicable to:

a) Owen Roberts International Airport (Grand Cayman)

b) Charles Kirkconnell International Airport (Cayman Brac)

c) Edward Bodden Airfield (Little Cayman)

d) H M Prison Northward

List of Approved UAS Operators

ASSI

Legal requirements for the operation of small unmanned aircraft in the UK Overseas Territories

The requirements for the use of Small Unmanned Aircraft (SUA) in the UK Overseas Territories are laid down in the Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) Order. The main rules for their use are laid down in Article 73, however, Article 191 highlights the other articles that also apply to the use of small unmanned aircraft.

The following ASSI SUA Information Leaflets give details of the legal requirements for the use of SUAs, as well as guidance on various activities using SUAs.

ASSI SUA Information Leaflet No 1: Legal Requirements for SUAs (Issue 1, dated August 2022)

ASSI SUA Information Leaflet No 2: Operational Guidance for SUAs (Issue 1, dated August 2022)

ASSI SUA Information Leaflet No 3: Definitions and Glossary for SUAs (Issue 1, dated August 2022)

Cayman Islands

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)

Short Essay Questions