Two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center – the top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white. The design represents the sun reflecting off a field of ice. The colors are the same as those of the Danish flag and symbolize Greenland’s links to the Kingdom of Denmark.

Flag courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Map courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Google Earth

Carvings in Qaqortoq.

Photo courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Last updated on April 17, 2024

Government

According to Britannica, in 1979 the Danish government granted home rule to Greenland (Kalaallit Nunaat). Under this agreement, Greenland remained part of the Danish realm, and each Greenlander was a Danish citizen, enjoying equal rights with all other Danes. Denmark retained control of the island’s constitutional affairs, foreign relations, and defense, while Greenland maintained jurisdiction over economic development, municipal regulations, taxes, education, the social welfare system, cultural affairs, and the state church. Mineral resources were managed jointly by Denmark and Greenland. It was perhaps this last point that inspired Greenlanders to vote overwhelmingly in 2008 to increase their autonomy from Denmark, and Greenland is now officially designated a self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark. Under the expanded home rule agreement, which took effect on June 21, 2009, Greenland retained a greater percentage of oil and mineral revenue. It also managed virtually all domestic affairs, including criminal justice, and Greenlandic supplanted Danish as the official language of government. Denmark, in collaboration with Greenlandic political leaders, continued to manage the island’s foreign relations and defense.

The centre of power in Greenland is the Inatsisartut, a parliament elected to four-year terms by all adults age 18 and older. A number of parties have been represented in the Inatsisartut. Among them are Siumut, a social democratic party that favours self-determination while maintaining close relations with Denmark; the Demokratiit party, created by a breakaway faction of Siumut; Atassut, a more conservative party that has supported Greenland’s historical relations with Denmark; and Inuit Ataqatigiit, which calls for full independence from Denmark. The Inatsisartut elects the prime minister as well as the other members of the Landsstyre, a council that assumes the island’s executive responsibilities. The prime minister is typically the leader of the majority party in the parliament. Greenland’s voters also elect two representatives to the Danish parliament (Folketing). An official known as the high commissioner represents the Danish government in Greenland.

Civil / National Aviation Authority (CAA/NAA)

Greenland government – Greenland was ruled by Denmark from the early 18th century until 1979, when home rule began. In 2009, Greenland approved the Self-Government Act in a referendum. The act means that Greenland can assume additional areas of responsibility. However, foreign policy, defense policy, and security policy cannot be transferred to Greenland.

Airspace

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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. Greenland AIP

Drone Regulations

Drone Laws

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)

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