127 Armenia
Three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange. Red recalls the blood shed for liberty, blue the Armenian skies as well as hope, and orange the land and the courage of the workers who farm it.
Flag courtesy of the CIA World Factbook
Map courtesy of the CIA World Factbook
A view of Mount Ararat in western Turkey through the fog. The highest of its two peaks, Greater Ararat, is the tallest mountain in Turkey at 5,166 m (16,949 ft). Although located some 32 km (20 mi) from the Armenian border, the dormant volcano dominates the skyline of Yerevan, Armenia’s capital. This photo was snapped after take off from the Yerevan airport.
Photo courtesy of the CIA World Factbook
Government
According to Britannica, in 1995 Armenia adopted a new constitution, replacing the Soviet-era constitution that had been in force from 1978. The 1995 document establishes legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government and provides for a strong executive. A number of basic rights and freedoms of citizens are enumerated. The constitution has since been amended twice through referendum: once in 2005 and once in 2015.
Armenia is a unitary multiparty republic. Legislative authority is vested in a 105-member National Assembly. Members are elected to five-year terms. The legislature has the authority to approve the budget, ratify treaties, and declare war.
The head of state is the president, elected by the National Assembly and limited to one seven-year term. The president’s role is largely ceremonial and primarily consists of executing decisions of the National Assembly or the cabinet pertaining to government positions, foreign relations, or the armed forces. The prime minister is the head of government and commander in chief of the armed forces and is elected by a parliamentary majority and subsequently appointed by the president. Upon resignation of the prime minister, the National Assembly must elect a new prime minister within two votes in two weeks. If a new prime minister is not elected within two votes in two weeks, the National Assembly is dissolved and early elections are triggered.
The judiciary consists of trial courts, appellate courts, a Court of Cassation (the highest appellate court), and a nine-member Constitutional Court, which determines the constitutionality of legislation and executive decrees. The members of these courts are appointed variously: most judicial appointments are elected or recommended by the National Assembly, while others are appointed by the president at the recommendation of a judicial council.
Armenia is divided into numerous marzer (provinces). Local authority at the community level is held by mayors or village elders.
During the Soviet period political life was directed by the Communist Party of Armenia, which was controlled by the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. The Armenian National Movement, a moderate nationalist party, governed Armenia from independence until 1998. Major parties in the 21st century have included the conservative Republican Party of Armenia, which dominated the government from 1999 through 2018, and the centre-right Prosperous Armenia Party, founded by businessman Garik Tsarukyan. In 2018 a series of popular protests led by Nikol Pashinyan upended Republican dominance in favor of the populist My Step Alliance.
Armenia was a founding member of the Commonwealth of Independent States. In 1992 Armenia joined the United Nations.
Civil Aviation Committee
The Civil Aviation Committee of the Republic of Armenia was created by the Order N 37-L of the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia dated June 10, 2020.
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. Armenia AIP
Drone Regulations
The RA Civil Aviation Committee has initiated the development of new regulations for the safe operation and registration of unmanned systems.
The regulation will not include flights of drones weighing less than 250 grams, flights of toy drones (for children), as well as drones operated in privately owned indoor areas.
Persons under the age of 14 may only use drones under adult supervision.
Regulations will be available soon. Until then, please follow the general requirements.
DO NOT HAVE TO
• Do not make any modifications to the drone without the manufacturer’s approval.
• Do not operate the UAV above 50m above ground or water surface without special permission. It is not necessary to operate the drone flying system over cities, streets, parks and such airspaces where the operation of the drone is restricted in advance. Do not use drones in densely populated and crowded areas.
• You should not operate the drone flying system in the evening, at night, when it is dark.
• Do not operate the drone on the building and playing field, in areas close to traffic, around high voltage lines and wires.
• Do not use the drone near airplanes and airports. The horizontal distance of the controlled restricted area of the airport should be not less than 7 km.
• The drone system must not be used for illegal purposes. Unmanned aerial systems may be used for photography in public or private areas only with the consent of the owner. It should be remembered that privacy and inviolability of private property are guaranteed and protected by RA law.
• It should also be noted that drone operators themselves are responsible for safe operation. Misoperation of a drone can endanger aviation and public safety.
REQUIRED
• Strictly comply with the requirements of CPA Order 56N 2007 (updated 2016).
• Make sure you are properly insured.
• Check the drone system before each flight. ensure that your drone’s electronic identification and geolocation system is up to date (if applicable).
• Operate the UAV within the manufacturer’s technical standards and limitations. Before launching the drone, you need to make sure that all its elements are working properly.
• The flights must be carried out in absolutely clear and visual meteorological conditions. Continuously maintain visual contact with the drone without using any auxiliary devices (binoculars, binoculars, electro-optical image intensifier). It is not allowed to operate the UAV above 50m above ground or water surface without special permission.
• Familiarize yourself with the area where you want to operate the drone, plan the flight.
• Check weather conditions. Operating a drone in adverse weather conditions can be dangerous to you and the people around you, and can be destructive to the device.
• Notify the Civil Aviation Committee if your drone has an accident that results in serious or fatal injury to a person, or affects the aircraft.
The Civil Aviation Committee of the Republic of Armenia has launched the development of a new regulation related to safe operation and registration of the Unmanned Aircrafts (Drones).
The regulation does not concern the unmanned aircrafts weighting less than 250 grams, toy unmanned aircrafts (for kids) and exploitation of unmanned aerial vehicles in private closed areas.
People younger than 14 will be allowed to operate drones under the supervision of an adult.
The rule will be available soon. Before that, please follow the general requirements:
DO NOT
• Do not make any changes to the drone, unless approved by the manufacturer.
• Do not fly higher than 50 m from the ground unless permitted by the Civil Aviation Committee.
• Do not operate the unmanned aircraft in the evening, at night, in the dark time.
• Do not operate unmanned aircraft over the cities, streets, park areas and in the airspace where operation of unmanned aircraft has been preliminarily restricted. Do not operate unmanned aircraft in congested and crowded areas.
• Do not operate unmanned aircraft over the building and playing-fields, in close vicinity to traffic, high-tension power lines and radars.
• Do not operate the unmanned aircraft in close vicinity to aircrafts, airports and aerodromes. The horizontal distance to controlled restricted area of aerodrome shall be not less than 7 km.
• Do not operate unmanned aircraft for unlawful purpose. Making an aerial photography in general public or private property is possible only with a permission from the owner of such property. Keep in mind that personal privacy and inviolability of private property is warranted and protected by the Armenian law.
Keep in mind that the owner/operator of unmanned aircraft has the full responsibility for its safe operation. Improper operation of UAVs may endanger the aviation and public safety.
DO
• Strongly follow the requirements by the existing 56N GDCA order of 2007 year (updated in 2016).
• Make sure you are adequately insured.
• Check your drone before each flight; make sure the electronic identification and geo-awareness system (if installed) of your drone is up-to-date .
• Operate your drone within the performance limitations defined in the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Before operating the unmanned aircraft, make sure that all of its elements work properly.
• Continuously maintain visual contact with unmanned aircraft without using any supporting devices (telescope, binocular, electro optical image amplifier). It is prohibited to operate unmanned aircraft at height more than 50 m above terrain or water surface, without special permission.
• Familiarize yourself with the area where you want to operate your drone, plan your flight.
• Check the weather conditions. Operation of unmanned aircraft in adverse weather conditions may be dangerous both for you and surrounding persons, and be destructive for the device.
• Inform Civil Aviation Committee if your drone is involved in an accident, that resulted in a serious or fatal injury to a person, or that affects a manned aircraft.
Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Regulations & Policies
None found by the author.
However, should you, the reader, happen to stumble across something to the contrary, please email the author at FISHE5CA@erau.edu and you may be mentioned in the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS section of this book by way of thanks for contributing to this free eBook!
Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) News
None found by the author.
However, should you, the reader, happen to stumble across something to the contrary, please email the author at FISHE5CA@erau.edu and you may be mentioned in the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS section of this book by way of thanks for contributing to this free eBook!
Short Essay Questions
Question 1
You have been hired by a Drone Startup Company. Your boss has immediately assigned this job to you.
They need you to prepare a one-page memo detailing the legalities of using a drone to film Mount Ararat, pictured above.
They need you to mention any national laws and local ordinances.
They specifically want to know what airspace (insert pictures) you will be operating in and whether or not you need an airspace authorization.
Does it matter whether or not you are a citizen of the country?
Lastly, there is a bonus for you if, as you scroll through this chapter, you find any typos or broken links!
Question 2
Do you need a certificate to fly UAS?
If so, how do you obtain one?
Are there fees associated with this?
If so, how much?
Question 3
May you operate beyond visual line of sight?
If so, what procedures must you follow?
Question 4
Does the country have UAM/AAM laws? If so, describe, citing the exact law.
Question 5
Are you aware of any new laws or policies not mentioned above? If so, describe, citing the exact law or policy.