Light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag. The blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean and the Union Jack reflects the links with Great Britain. The shield – taken from Fiji’s coat of arms – depicts a yellow lion, holding a coconut pod between its paws, above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George. The four quarters depict stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, a banana bunch, and a white dove of peace.

Flag courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Map courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Google Earth

A beach on the island of Kuata, the smallest of the Yasawa Islands Group. Tourism is of growing importance to the island’s economy; its deep lagoon is excellent for swimming and snorkeling.

Photo courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Government

According to Britannica, Fiji is governed under a constitution adopted in 2013. The country’s first constitution was promulgated in 1966, four years before Fiji achieved independence from Great Britain. Until 1987, Fiji was a dominion, a member of the Commonwealth, and a parliamentary democracy with a government led by an elected president. The government was overthrown twice in 1987 in military-led coups, and in October that year Fiji was expelled from the Commonwealth (though it was readmitted in 1997) and became a republic.

A new constitution took effect in 1990 and was revised in 1997. It provided that the prime minister, the head of government, be appointed by the president, who in turn was appointed by the Bose Levu Vakaturaga (Great Council of Chiefs), a body composed of the hereditary leaders of the 70 major Fijian clans. It also called for a House of Representatives and a Senate. After yet another military coup in 2006, the 1997 constitution was declared to be still in effect, but in practice the government consisted of a non elected interim government, led by a prime minister who was also the commander of the military. The president was the head of state and was advised by an interim cabinet. In 2009, after a Fijian high court ruled that this governmental regime was illegal, the president assumed all power and abrogated the 1997 constitution. In March 2012 the president abolished the Bose Levu Vakaturaga.

The current constitution was promulgated in September 2013. As with previous constitutions, the head of government is the prime minister, who is the leader of the majority party in the national legislature. The head of state is again the president, who serves a maximum of two terms of three years each. The president is appointed by Parliament, which chooses between a candidate nominated by the prime minister and one nominated by the leader of the opposition. The constitution calls for a unicameral 50-member Parliament whose members are elected by proportional representation. The number of seats may increase or decrease in proportion to the size of the country’s population. Members are elected to four-year terms by universal adult (18 years and older) suffrage. Among the country’s registered political parties are FijiFirst, the Fiji Labour Party, the National Federation Party, the People’s Democratic Party, and the Social Democratic Liberal Party (Sodelpa).

Local government reflects the pluralism of Fiji’s social structure. There are elected multiethnic councils in the larger towns, a separate Fijian administration incorporating a hierarchy of chiefs and councils for the control of rural Fijians, and direct administration elsewhere.

Civil / National Aviation Authority (CAA/NAA)

The Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF) is the national aviation authority in the Republic of Fiji and is responsible for discharging functions on behalf of the Government of Fiji under the States responsibility to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, also known as the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). CAAF regulates, certifies and licenses airline operators, airport operators, air traffic and air navigation service providers, aviation security service providers, pilots, aircraft engineers, air traffic controllers, technicians, airline contracting organizations, and international air cargo operators in Fiji and abroad and conducts surveillance of these entities.

The Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) is an international organization providing quality aviation safety and security service for Member States in the Pacific.

PASO is the sole international organization responsible for regional regulatory aviation safety oversight service for the 10 Pacific States who are signatories to the Pacific Islands Civil Aviation Safety and Security Treaty (PICASST).

The current PICASST signatories are the Pacific nations of Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Associate Members of PASO are Australia, Fiji and New Zealand. Government representatives from these nations make up the PASO Council.

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. Fijian Airspace (requires user name and password).

Drone Regulations

RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System)

Certification for RPAS Commercial Operations – Commercial RPAS operators must apply for an Authorization using the appropriate CAAF form. A written authorization must be received from CAAF prior to the conduct of flights. Furthermore, such RPAS must meet internationally recognized standards, and the persons or organizations that construct, maintain, and operate them must be qualified or certificated in a manner acceptable to the Authority.

Application for the issue of Authorizations – An applicant for the issue of an Authorization to operate an RPAS commercially must submit the following to the Authority:-

For RPAS below 2kg:

• A sub 2K Basic Drone Course certification or equivalent
• Letter of Intent
• Liability and Third Party Insurance Cover from a recognized Insurance broker that has dealt with Unmanned Aircraft Operations Insurance.

For RPAS above 2kg:

All of the documents listed above including the following additional documentation listed below must also be submitted:

• Remote Pilot License or Evidence to satisfy the Authority of the competence of the person nominated to carry out test flights.

For RPAS above 7kg net weight (excluding payload):

All of the documents listed above including the following additional documentation listed below must also be submitted:

• Complete records to demonstrate that the aircraft has been maintained as required.
• An unmanned aircraft flight manual appropriate to the original type certification.
• Satisfactory ground and flight test reports to a format previously agreed by the Authority.
• A maintenance inspection program. This must include details of any special techniques specified by the manufacturer, and details of each mandatory replacement or inspection interval.
• Maintenance instructions regarding disassembly, transport, storage, and reassembly to an airworthy condition where major components are designed to be removed for this purpose.
• Evidence to satisfy the Authority of the competence of the person nominated to maintain the aircraft.
• A Company Operations Manual, including hazard identification and risk assessment system program.
• Liability and Third Party Insurance Cover from a recognized Insurance broker that has dealt with Unmanned Aircraft Operations Insurance.

Application for the renewal of Authorizations – Applicants for the renewal of an authorization to fly must submit up to date and valid documents specified above.

Recreational use of drones – The recreational use of drones is the operation of an unmanned or model aircraft for personal interest and enjoyment. For example, using a drone to take photographs for your own personal use would be considered recreational. However, using the same device to take photographs or videos for compensation or sale to another individual or entity would be considered a commercial operation or business use. For recreational drone permit application, download and complete the form OP 137 and email it to drones@caaf.org.fj

Conditions apply, see the form for restrictions.

• Commercial drone applications; download OP 138, complete and email with supporting documents to drones@caaf.org.fj
• Supporting documents needed to be attached;
  • ​​​​​​​RPAS Training Certification and
  • Liability Insurance for the drone operation​​​​​​​,
• Authorization process fees from $212.50.

Rules and regulations for unmanned aircraft in Fiji – You might consider your drone to be a fun toy, but did you know its operation in Fiji is regulated by the Fiji Air Navigation Regulations. There are requirements you need to follow and be continuously mindful of while flying to keep yourself, others, and your RPAS/Drone safe.

Know the regulations before you fly: Section 78 Operation of aerial devices including balloons, gliders, kites, and para-sails of the Fiji Air Navigation Regulations states that aerial devices should not be towed, flown, tethered, or operated within 3 kilometers of an aerodrome reference point of a domestic aerodrome and within 5 kilometers of an aerodrome reference point of an international aerodrome; should not be towed, flown, tethered or operated no more than 200 feet (approximately 61 meters) above the earth‘s surface; and should not be towed, flown, tethered or operated so as to impinge on the safe operations of aircraft.

An aerial device may only be permitted to operate within and above the restrictions stated above under certain conditions and limitations imposed by the Authority.

An aerial device includes balloon, glider, hang glider, powered or towed parachute, ultralight or microlight aircraft, tethered or towed kite, model aircraft, rocket or firework display, or any other similar device.

An RPAS or Drone is an aerial device.

You don’t need a license to fly a drone for recreational purposes but you will need to know your Regulations and the scope of what you are allowed and not allowed to do. For Commercial Operations, you will have to have undergone formal RPAS training with an approved institution.

A Very Small to Small Unmanned aircraft may only be flown in Fiji by:

(a) the holder of the appropriate qualification, namely a Basic sub 2kg drone issued by one of the organizations specified in paragraph 3.7, who is operating in compliance with any limitations or conditions attached to that qualification, or

(b) a person who is undergoing training at an authorized RPAS Company and who is operating in compliance with any rules, limitations, or conditions required by that organization, or CAAF.

A Medium Unmanned Aircraft may be flown in Fiji by:

(a) the holder of the Remote Pilots License (RePL) or equivalent appropriate qualification who is operating in compliance with any limitations or conditions attached to that qualification.

A Large Unmanned Aircraft may be flown in Fiji by:

(a) the holder of the Remote Pilots License (RePL) or equivalent appropriate qualification , who is operating in compliance with any limitations or conditions attached to that qualification, and

(b) Hold a current Instrument Rating (Single or Multi).

In most cases, flying in controlled airspace for recreational purposes will not be approved. If you are a commercial operator and you want to fly your drone in controlled airspace as it is associated with a sanctioned commercial aviation activity you are undertaking, you will need to liaise very closely with and obtain approvals from CAAF and Fiji Airports/Air Traffic Control. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Commercial RPAS operators must apply for an Authorization using the appropriate CAAF form. A written authorization must be received from CAAF prior to the conduct of flights. Furthermore, such RPAS must meet internationally recognized standards, and the persons or organizations that construct, maintain, and operate them must be qualified or certificated in a manner acceptable to the Authority.

For further information, refer to

• Laws of Fiji
• CAAF Standards Documents
• CAAF Application Forms
• ​​​​​​​CAAF Aeronautical Information Circulars
• CAAF Guidance Documents​​​​​​​
• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Fiji Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP)

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)

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