Two red horizontal bands encase a wide white band in a 1:2:1 ratio. Centered on the white band is a disk with a blue and white wave pattern depicting the sea on the lower half and a gold and white ray pattern depicting the sun on the upper half. A Polynesian canoe rides on the wave pattern. The canoe has a crew of five represented by five stars that symbolize the five island groups. Red and white are traditional Polynesian colors.

Flag courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Map courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Google Earth

Stone tiki on Nuku Hiva Island in the Iles Marquesas archipelago.

Photo courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Last updated on March 19, 2025

Government

According to Britannica, French Polynesia has greater autonomy than many other French possessions. Its legal status is that of an overseas country, which entails greater independence than that of an overseas department or territory. The constitution provides for a unicameral legislature, the French Polynesia Assembly, which is elected by universal adult suffrage and chooses the country’s president from among its members. The head of state is the French president, represented by a high commissioner appointed by the French government. The high commissioner is in charge of matters including defense, foreign relations, and justice. The head of government is the president of French Polynesia, who is assisted by a cabinet called the Council of Ministers. An Economic, Social and Cultural Council, made up of representatives from trade unions, various professional societies, and cultural and other organizations, serves as an advisory group to the government concerning proposed legislation. The country is represented in the French Parliament by two deputies and two senators. The judicial system includes a Court of Appeal, a Court of First Instance, and a Court of Administrative Law.

French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC)

The DGAC, the French Civil Aviation Authority, is responsible for ensuring the safety and the security of French air transport, as well as maintaining a balance between the development of the air transport sector and environmental protection. It is the national regulatory authority, but it also provides safety oversight, air navigation services and training. He is a partner of key players in the aeronautical industry and he is also in charge of financial aid for research in aircraft construction and state industrial policy in this sector.

STATE CIVIL AVIATION SERVICE FRENCH POLYNESIA

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.

French Polynesia eAIP

Drone Regulations

French Drone Laws

Specific to French Polynesia

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

2025

Video courtesy of Advanced Air Mobility Institute from the January 2025 Global AAM Forum. Complete session for Day 1 of this Forum is available on the Advanced Air Mobility Institute YouTube Channel

Short Essay Questions