61 Croatia
Three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue – the Pan-Slav colors – superimposed by the Croatian coat of arms. The coat of arms consists of one main shield (a checkerboard of 13 red and 12 silver (white) fields) surmounted by five smaller shields that form a crown over the main shield. The five small shields represent five historic regions (from left to right): Croatia, Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Istria, and Slavonia.
Flag courtesy of the CIA World Factbook
Map courtesy of the CIA World Factbook
The inner harbor of Dubrovnik.
Photo courtesy of the CIA World Factbook
Government
According to Britannica, on December 22, 1990, the constitution of the Republic of Croatia was promulgated. In addition to such classic civil rights as freedom of speech, religion, information, and association, the equality of nationalities is guaranteed in a number of constitutional articles. Cultural autonomy, along with the right to use one’s own language and script (the latter specifically intended for the Serb minority), is also guaranteed.
The 1990 constitution changed the structure of the Sabor (parliament) from a tricameral body under the Yugoslav system to a bicameral body consisting of the House of Representatives (lower house) and the House of Districts (upper house). Constitutional amendments in 2001 abolished the upper house, thereby rendering the Sabor a unicameral body. Members are elected from party lists every four years. In addition, a small percentage of seats are reserved for national minorities and for representatives of Croats living outside the country.
The president of the republic is elected directly by popular vote for a period of five years and is limited to two terms. The 1990 constitution originally granted the president very broad powers; this “superpresident” appointed and could dismiss the prime minister, who was nominally responsible to both the parliament and the president but was actually directly dependent on the president. Constitutional amendments in 2000 reduced the importance of the president, who thenceforth served solely as head of state, and increased the power of the parliament and of the prime minister, who assumed the role of head of government. The president continues to nominate the prime minister, but the Sabor must confirm the appointment. In addition, the prime minister is typically the head of the leading party in the Sabor.
Below the national level, Croatia is divided into 20 administrative districts called županije (counties). One city, Zagreb, has an administrative status equivalent to that of the counties. Within the županije are hundreds of općine (municipalities).
The Supreme Court, county courts, and municipal courts constitute the three-tiered judicial system. The Supreme Court is the highest legal authority in all matters but constitutional questions, which are decided by the Constitutional Court. Justices on the Supreme Court are appointed by a judicial council, which is elected by the Sabor. The independence of the judiciary has been questioned, largely because many of the judges who were politically appointed in the 1990s remained in office well into the 21st century. However, there have been significant reforms to the judiciary, largely under EU pressure.
Civil / National Aviation Authority (CAA/NAA)
Croatian Civil Aviation Agency was founded by an Act on Amendments to the Air Traffic Act, adopted by Croatian Parliament on its session from 20th of April 2007 (Official Gazette 46/2007). Founder of the Agency is the Republic of Croatia, with Government of the Republic of Croatia holding the founding rights pursuant to the afore-mentioned Act. Agency is independent and non-profit legal entity which conducts activities in the interest of the Republic of Croatia within the scope defined in the Air Traffic Act and Statute of the Agency. The Agency reports to the Government of the Republic of Croatia by submitting Annual Work Reports. Agency began with its operation on 9th of March 2009. Activities of the Agency include air traffic safety related tasks, especially certification, oversight and supervision with the objective of ensuring continuing compliance with the requirements of the air transportation and other air traffic related activities, keeping of all relevant registers and records, and any other task as defined under the Air Traffic Act. Activities of the Agency fall under the competence of the Ministry of the Maritime Affairs, Traffic and Infrastructure. Pursuant to the provisions of the Air Traffic Act and the Agency’s Statute, Agency is governed by the Agency Board consisting of five members. The Board is appointed by the Government upon the proposal of the Minister. The Agency Board has no executive or regulatory authority and cannot impose measures which fall under the jurisdiction of the Agency.
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. Croatia Control eAIP
Drone Regulations
Flight operations with Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
- Instructions for registration of UAS operators according to the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 and taking the online exam for A1/A3 subcategories of the open category
- All news brought by the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947
Registration as a UAS operator
Registration of UAS operators in accordance with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947. The Commission’s Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 of May 24, 2019 on the rules and procedures for the operation of unmanned aircraft shall apply from December 31, 2020.
- when within the “open category” they carry out operations with unmanned aircraft with a permissible take-off mass of at least 250 g or unmanned aircraft which in the event of impact on a person can transmit kinetic energy greater than 80 J or unmanned aircraft equipped with sensors which can collect personal data unless it is a question of drones that are considered toys in accordance with Directive 2009/48/EC .
- when using unmanned aircraft, regardless of their weight, they perform operations within the “special category”.
All UAS operators who were registered with the Croatian Civil Aviation Agency for flight operations in accordance with the Rulebook on Unmanned Aircraft Systems must be re-registered. With this new registration, the UAS operator is allowed to carry out unmanned aircraft operations in the open category in any member state of the European Union and will receive a unique registration number with which he must mark all his unmanned aircraft.
Registration of unmanned aircraft system operators
IMPORTANT: UAS OPERATOR REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED IF ALL THREE OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET:
- The maximum permissible weight of the drone at take-off is less than 250 grams and
- Your drone cannot transfer kinetic energy higher than 80J i
- Your drone is not equipped with sensors to collect personal data (camera, microphone).
If one or more conditions are not met, operator registration is mandatory.
Registration of registered operators of unmanned aircraft systems
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR ALREADY REGISTERED OPERATORS – To update the data of already registered operators, please follow the instructions:
- In the offered menu, choose the login method identical to the one you registered with. For example, if you did the initial registration by logging in through the eCitizens system, then choose the same method for this occasion as well. If you did the initial registration by logging in with your username (email identification), then choose the same method for this occasion as well.
- After selecting the login method, log into the system using the same login information that you used during the initial registration. For example, if you registered by logging in through the eCitizens system, use identical access to the system (same person with the same method of identification in the eCitizens system). If you did the initial registration by logging in with your username (email identification), in the “email” field, enter the same email address that you used during the initial registration, and in the “Password” field, enter the same password that you used during the initial registration.
- After registering in this way, the system should place you in your existing registration with all the data currently entered in the system. Update the information and click OK. Pay special attention when updating the information on the insurance policy/s. Remove invalid insurance policies by clicking on “- remove policy” and enter the data of a new, valid insurance policy. If you have several insurance policies, clicking “+ add policy” opens a new line for entering an additional policy. Repeat this procedure for all other additional insurance policies.
Verification of the registration of the operator of the unmanned aircraft system
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 over the harbor in Dubrovnik, pictured above.
They need you to mention any national laws and local ordinances.
They specifically want to know what airspace 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.
