White with a red cross outlined in blue extending to the edges of the flag. The vertical part of the cross is shifted toward the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag). Referred to as Merkid, meaning “the banner” or “the mark,” the flag resembles those of neighboring Iceland and Norway, and uses the same three colors – but in a different sequence. White represents the clear Faroese sky, as well as the foam of the waves. Red and blue are traditional Faroese colors.

Flag courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Map courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Google Earth

The Faroe Islands are an archipelago between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. The terrain is rugged; the climate is subpolar oceanic with windy, wet, cloudy, and cool weather. Temperatures average above freezing throughout the year, hovering between 12 °C (54 °F) in summer and 5 °C (41 °F) in winter. The northerly latitude location also results in perpetual twilight during summer nights and very short winter days. Settlers introduced grass roofs to their shelters as an effective protection from the rain and cold.

Photo courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Last updated on November 13, 2024

Government

According to Britannica, the islands are a self-governing region within the Danish state and send two representatives (elected every four years) to the Folketing, the Danish legislature. The Faroe Islands Parliament (Lagting) has 32 elected members, who in turn elect an executive body (Landsstyre) headed by a chairman. Foreign policy, defense, and the monetary and judicial systems are overseen by the Folketing. A commissioner represents Denmark in the islands. Education is based on the Danish system. The islands have good medical services. For a long time a substantial minority has sought full independence from Denmark, and in 1999 the Landsstyre entered negotiations with the Danish government about conditions for full independence. An important point in the talks was the yearly payment of one billion Danish krone from Denmark as half the export earnings.

Civil / National Aviation Authority (CAA/NAA)

Government page – Vága Floghavn – the airport of the Faroe Islands

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. Faeroe Islands AIP

Drone Regulations

Government website for visitors – Drone flying in the Faros Islands is regulated by danish law.

The authorities in charge are Trafik-, Bygge- og Boligstyrelsen and the Police.

Special regulations are valid for drone flying in the Faroes (and Greenland).

People planning drone flying in the Faroes are encouraged to examine the regulation or to contact the authorities prior to flying. Notice that there are separate regulations for drones under and over 25 kg, respectively. Additionally, within these weight-classes, special regulations can apply for different categories of drones.

In general, flying drones in the Faroe Islands is permitted, provided ALL the following conditions are met:

• Drones MUST NOT be flown within 150 meters of a village, town or city or within 150 meters of main roads that connect villages
• Drones MUST NOT be flown within a 5-kilometer radius of Vágar Airport
• Drones MUST NOT be flown above summerhouses or camping areas, or in places where many people are gathered, e.g. at festivals
• Drones MUST NOT be flown above 100 meters from the ground

Illegal flying of drones in the Faroe Islands can result in a fine.

Visit Faroe Islands has further instructions on drone flying and paragliding on their homepage.

According to the Police – In general, flying drones in the Faroe Islands is permitted, provided ALL the following conditions are met:

• Drones MUST NOT be flown within 150 meters of a village, town or city or within 150 metres of main roads that connect villages
• Drones MUST NOT be flown within a 5-kilometer radius of Vágar Airport
• Drones MUST NOT be flown above summerhouses or camping areas, or in places where many people are gathered, e.g. at festivals
• Drones MUST NOT be flown above 100 meters from the ground
• Drones MUST be insured

Illegal flying of drones in the Faroe Islands can result in a fine of DKK 5000.

You will see signs like the one above at various sites across the islands. Drone pilots ought to be considerate of the environment, respecting bird- and wildlife and the privacy of locals. Because of the unpredictable nature of the Faroese weather, it is advisable to bring sturdy drone equipment and to check the weather forecast before flying.

Aviation rules and regulations in the Faroe Islands are overseen by the Danish Transport and Construction Agency. For more information about the use of drones in the Faroe Islands, please visit the Danish Transport and Construction Agency’s website or download the Regulations on Unmanned Aircraft in English below.

In pursuance of subsection 10 of § 149, and subsections 2 and 3 of § 151 of the Danish Air Navigation Act, cf. Consolidation Act no. 543 of 13 June 2001, the Civil Aviation Administration – Denmark hereby stipulates as follows on the authority of the Ministry of Transport, cf. Order no. 795 of 3 September 2001 on delegation of authorities to the Civil Aviation Administration – Denmark and on publication of the Regulations issued by the Administration:

1.1 BL 7-16, Appendix 1 to the BL 7 series, Particularly sensitive nature areas, latest edition.

1.2 The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation’s Act no. 421 of 6 June 2002 on radio frequencies with subsequent amendments.

2.1 This BL shall apply to aviation within Danish territory with unmanned aircraft not weighing more than 25 kg, except from unmanned free balloons.

2.2 Additionally, for the aviation dealt with in this BL, also the provisions in the Air Navigation Act with a substance of civil and criminal law shall apply, while the remaining provisions are not applicable.

The owner/user of an unmanned aircraft not weighing more than 25 kg shall be responsible for the flights with the aircraft being performed in accordance with the regulations in this BL.

4.1 General regulations

For flights with unmanned aircraft the following shall apply:

a. The flight must be performed in a way that no other persons or property are endangered and so that the surroundings are inconvenienced as little as possible.

b. The distance to the runway/runways of a public aerodrome as stated in the Kort- og Matrikelstyrelsen’s (Map and Land Register Administration’s) map (map 25 or 1:50,000) must be at least 5 km.

c. The distance to the runway/runways of a military airbase as stated in the Kort- og Matrikelstyrelsen’s (Map and Land Register Administration’s) map (map 25 or 1:50,000) must be at least 5 km.

d. The distance to built-up areas and major public road shall be at least 150 m.

e. The flight level must not exceed 100 m above terrain.

f. Densely built-up areas, including areas with weekend cottages and inhabited camping sites, and areas with large open-air assemblies of persons must not be overflown.

g. The particularly sensitive areas mentioned in BL 7-16 must not be overflown.

For flights with unmanned aircraft with a takeoff mass above 7 kg and below 25 kg, including fuel, and for unmanned aircraft using jet turbine engine(s) as power, the following shall apply in addition to the provisions in paragraph 4.1:

a. The aircraft must be equipped with radio control installation.

b. Flights must only be performed from an approved model flying site, cf. paragraph 4.3 b., and must be performed within the limitations of the airspace belonging to a notified model flying site, cf. paragraph 4.3 a.

c. Flights must not be performed unless a third party liability insurance has been taken out in accordance with § 130 of the Air Navigation Act.

d. Flights must be formed within an organization approved by the Civil Aviation Administration – Denmark whose object it is to operate flights with model aircraft on an amateur basis and in accordance with regulations approved by the Civil Aviation Administration – Denmark.

In order that a field may be used as model flying site, the conditions in paragraph 4.1 and the following conditions must be met:

a. There must be an airspace around the field covering an area of at least 100 x 300 m.

b. The model flying site must be approved by the organization approved by the Civil Aviation Administration – Denmark, cf. paragraph 4.2 d. An application for approval must contain a map of the area and a description of the model flying site and its airspace.

c. The owner’s permission to use the site as model flying site must have been obtained. The owner of areas covered by the model flying site airspace must be notified of the activities.

Note: Any person wishing to establish and operate a model flying site must obtain by himself the necessary permissions according to other legislation, including according to the environmental protection legislation and planning legislation.

5.1 Transceivers for radio-controlled model aircraft must meet the requirements in and must be applied in accordance with Act no. 421 of 6 June 2002 on radio frequencies with subsequent amendments.

5.2 Radio controlling of the unmanned aircraft covered by paragraph 4.2 must be performed on frequency 35 MHz.

The Civil Aviation Administration – Denmark may in particularly exceptional cases grant exemption form the regulations laid down in this BL if it is deemed compatible with the considerations on which the regulations in question are based.

Complaints of the decisions taken by an approved organization according to the regulations in this BL may be presented to the Civil Aviation Administration – Denmark.

12.1 A owner or user of an unmanned aircraft violating the provisions in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 a., b and d. will be punished with fine.

12.2 Anyone operating a model flying site and violating the provisions in paragraph 4.3 b. and c. will be punished with fine.

12.3 Criminal liability for violations may be imposed on companies etc. (legal persons) under the rules of Chapter 5 of the Danish Criminal Code, cf. subsection 14 of § 149 of the Danish Air Navigation Act.

12.4 Violation of the provisions in paragraph 4.2 c. will be punished in pursuance of subsection (3) of § 140 of the Air Navigation Act with fine or imprisonment for up to 2 years.

13.1 This BL comes info force on 1 March 2004.

13.2 At the same time BL 9-4, 2 edition of 14 August 1987 with subsequent amendments are repealed.

Special regulations are valid for drone flying in the Faroes (and Greenland).

Flying with a drone in Greenland and the Faroe Islands is not like in Denmark and the rest of the EU, as both Greenland and the Faroe Islands are outside of EU cooperation.

Thus, the countries themselves must decide whether they want to implement legislation corresponding to Danish and European legislation, which in the drone area has not been done since 2014 (except for a few additions).
Therefore, drones are controlled based on the rules in the Aviation Act and primarily the so-called Provisions on Aviation, BL 9-4.

The drone rules – BL 9-4

In BL 9-4 it is prescribed which rules one must fly according to, and not least that all drone flights according to BL 9-4 must take place outside urban areas. It offers both some advantages and disadvantages for remote pilots.

The advantages are that if you are simply going to Greenland or the Faroe Islands to fly recreationally or professionally outside urban areas, you can do so as long as you fly according to the rules in BL 9-4 – both the general rules, but also the rules for that weight class, your drone is located in.
The disadvantages are that it is not possible to fly recreationally within urban areas. In other words, it is only in connection with carrying out professional tasks that you can be allowed by us to fly on the basis of a dispensation issued by us.

How you, as a professional drone pilot, apply for a dispensation to fly in urban areas and possibly closer to airports and helipads, you can read more about below.

The main rules

BL series 9 contains various provisions regarding aviation. The series regulates various aircraft that are not regulated by other provisions, including aircraft used for air sports.

Weight classes for drones in Greenland and the Faroe Islands

• Category 1A: 0 kg – up to 1.5 kg.
• Category 1B: from 1.5 kg – up to 7 kg.
• Category 2: from 7 kg – up to 25 kg.

Apply for exemption from the rules. – Companies and institutions can apply for exemption from the rules (dispensation permit) if the drone is to be used for testing, research or commercial purposes. Dispensation is issued to companies according to the Aviation Act and to companies and drone operators according to BL 9-4 in accordance with the practice as determined in AIC B 08/14 and AIC B 13/18 (dispensation permit). Companies/institutions and drone operators can apply for exemption if it is compatible with the considerations underlying the regulations. The drone flight takes place with due regard for the safety of aviation and general interests in general. In addition, the drone must be covered by valid liability insurance.

Practice regarding exemption application – The board has established two practices for how exemptions from the rules in BL 9-4 can be applied for – i.e. exemption from the rules applicable to drones under 25 kg.

• The board can dispense from BL 9-4 according to AIC B 08/14. It follows from this practice that an application is submitted to the agency, in which a company with one or more drone operators draws up an operating manual for flying drones. The drone operators who must be covered by the exemption must be able to document a certain amount of experience with flying drones and possibly have to take a practical test with the agency.
• The board has also established in AIC B 13/18 the possibility of issuing a dispensation for flying a drone in the Faroe Islands to a drone operator, if he has acquired a drone certificate cf. bkg. No. 1256 of 24 November 2017 on flying drones in urban areas.

In connection with a dispensation, it will be a condition for all categories of drones that the operational provisions in the urban drone ordinance are complied with.

The board processes applications. To apply for an exemption, and thus become an ‘approved drone operator’, you must complete and submit one of the application forms below (depending on the weight of the drone).

Subsequently, you will be asked to deliver the following documents to the agency:

• Documentation for subscription eligibility (Printout from the Danish Business and Companies Agency)
• Description of the company’s activities
• Description and photo of the drone type (designation/manufacturer), dimensions and other technical specifications, as well as an explanation of how the technical requirements are met
• The pilot’s name and social security number, as well as a statement of experience with flying the type
• Copy of liability insurance, which must comply with Regulation (EC) No. 785/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004
• The company’s operating manual (is not the same as the aircraft’s instruction manual), see possibly instructions below
• The drone operator’s name and drone certificate

Professional etc. use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAS/RPAS) in Denmark – AIC B 08/14

Flying with drones within 5 km of public airfields/8 km from military air stations – AIC B 11/16 – Drone flight is carried out in accordance with BL9-4 “Regulations on aviation with unmanned aerial vehicles that do not weigh more than 25 kg”.

Commercial use of drones (UAS/RPAS) within urban areas in the Faroe Islands and in Greenland – AIC B 13/18 – Flying with drones (UAS/RPAS) in the Faroe Islands and in Greenland takes place in accordance with applicable regulations, cf. BL 9-4, 3rd edition of 9 January 2004, Regulations on aviation with unmanned aerial vehicles that do not weigh more than 25 kg.

Rules for drones over 25 kg – If it is a drone that weighs more than 25 kg, the rules in the Aviation Act apply.

Promulgation of the Aviation Act – LBK no. 1149 of 13 October 2017

Application form – Cat. 1A (0-1½ kg) – Application for exemption for business.

Application form – Cat. 1B (1½-7 kg) – Application for exemption for business.

Application form – Cat. 2 (7-25 kg) – Application for exemption for business.

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