90 Luxembourg
Three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and light blue. Similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a darker blue and is shorter. The coloring is derived from the Grand Duke’s coat of arms (a red lion on a white and blue striped field).
Flag courtesy of the CIA World Factbook
Map courtesy of the CIA World Factbook
St. John’s Church was originally built in 1606. It became the place of worship for Benedictine monks from Neumunster Abbey in the Grund District of Luxembourg City. The present church dates from the late 17th century and has a fine baroque interior. One of its greatest treasurers is a Black Madonna created in the 14th century. The abbey was used as a prison from the mid-19th century to the late-20th century.
Photo courtesy of the CIA World Factbook
Government
According to Britannica, the grand duchy is a constitutional monarchy with hereditary succession. Executive power authority lies with the grand duke, who appoints the prime minister. The powers of the grand duke are primarily formal, however. Actual executive power lies with the prime minister and his ministerial council, or cabinet, who are responsible to the Chamber of Deputies. The members of this legislative assembly are elected by popular vote to five-year terms. Voting by all adult citizens, begun in 1919, is compulsory. Legislative elections have usually given rise to coalition governments formed alternatively by two of the three major parties: the Christian Social People’s Party (Chrëschtlech Sozial Vollekspartei; CSV), the Socialist Workers’ Party of Luxembourg (Lëtzebuergesch Sozialistesch Arbechterpartei; LSAP), and the Democratic Party (DP). In addition, a Council of State named by the grand duke functions as an advisory body. It is consulted on all draft legislation, advises the grand duke on administrative affairs, and serves as a supreme court in case of administrative disputes.
There are also three advisory bodies that are consulted before the passage of legislation affecting their particular area of the national life. The first of these consists of six confederations, three of which represent employers (commerce, guilds, and farmers) and three of which represent labour (workers, private employees, and civil servants). The second advisory group, the Social and Economic Council, has become a major committee for the examination of all projects. The third, the Immigration Council, advises the government on problems involving housing and the political rights of immigrants.
Justice is in the hands of magistrates appointed for life by the grand duke, the final appeal lying with the Superior Court of Justice. In the criminal court of assizes, six magistrates sit as jury as well as judge.
Luxembourg is divided administratively into three districts, each of which is headed by a commissioner appointed by the central government. Each district is in turn divided into cantons and subdivided into communes, or municipalities. Public works, health, and education are among the responsibilities of the communes, each of which is governed by an elected council and a mayor. These bodies also maintain liaison with the central government and act as its local agents.
Civil / National Aviation Authority (CAA/NAA)
The Directorate of Civil Aviation (DAC) is the competent authority of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in matters relating to aviation safety and security.
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. Luxembourg AIP
Drone Regulations
In accordance with Council Regulation (EU) 2022/334 of 28 February 2022 amending Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilizing the situation in Ukraine, operators of unmanned aircraft of Russian nationality or incorporated under Russian law are not allowed to operate these aircraft within the European Union.
In addition, pilots of unmanned aircraft of Russian nationality are not allowed to fly these aircraft within the European Union, except on behalf of an operator duly established within the European Union.
The Drone Department
Drone users are invited to refer to the sections here below as well as to the most frequently asked questions available here: Drones FAQ.
For additional information, requests can be sent directly to uas@av.etat.lu (General request), uas.training@av.etat.lu (Training / Examinations) or uas.zones@av.etat.lu (Zones geographical).
In order to inform drone operators of the new regulations and limitations in force regarding the operation of drones, the DAC has launched an awareness campaign in collaboration with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA):
This new regulation is divided into three categories. These categories were decided based on the level of risk posed by the drone itself and are intended to protect other aircraft in the air as well as people on the ground.
Note. Based on market needs, priority has been given to the development of regulations for the “OPEN” and “SPECIFIC” category operations. The regulatory framework for operations in the “CERTIFIED” category is currently under development.
As of January 2022, the relaxed rules put in place during the period of transition as provided for in Article 22 of the European Regulation (EU) 2019/947 will expire and flights performed on the basis of national Generic Authorizations will no longer be permitted.
UAS ZONES
Note: The Geozones provided by the UAS manufacturers do not necessarily cover all the restricted areas of Luxembourg territory.
Some areas can be dangerous if you operate a drone there. In order to address this risk, the DAC has therefore – in collaboration with other entities – identified these sensitive locations and the conditions necessary to guarantee the safety of operations. The locations we are speaking of are referred to as UAS geographic areas (or UAS areas).
Operators wishing to access an area will have to comply with all the conditions associated with it (for example: requirement of take-off authorization, pilot training obligation, obligation to notify the flight, etc.).
The text specifying the location and conditions of access to UAS zones is the ministerial regulation of December 16, 2020.
For reasons of readability, the UAS geographic areas, together with their access conditions, are shown on a specific map on the GEOPORTAIL.
A quick user guide is available in English and French and it provides a very quick overview of the operation of the dedicated map.
All pilots and UAS operators are required to inform themselves on the access conditions before each flight in any given area. UAS geographic areas replace the former protection areas defined within the framework of the national system.
As a reminder, the national generic authorization does NOT release its holder from the obligation to respect the conditions of access to UAS geographical areas. The address uas.zones@av.etat.lu can be used for any question relating to UAS geographical areas.
Registration – According to European Regulation (EU) 2019/947, registration is mandatory for UAS operators (not for UAS themselves). It is therefore important to also distinguish between a Pilot and a UAS Operator.
The UAS Pilot, also known as the Remote Pilot (RP), is the person physically behind the UAS flight controls. He is fully responsible for the safety of the flight throughout operations.
The UAS Operator is the person or company who oversees operations and gives flight instructions. This person or legal entity bears all responsibility for the operations of the drone (s) on their behalf. Very often, in the OPEN category and as an individual, the Pilot and the Operator are one and the same person.
You will receive two documents with two separate numbers, namely:
- A Certificate as an Operator via MyGuichet which allows the identification of the operator with a LUXxxxxxxxxxxxxx number (13 characters). By analogy with the automotive sector, the operator number can be likened to a “car license plate” which would be valid for all the operator’s drones.
This process is reserved exclusively for citizens, companies and administrations whose residence / head office is located in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. - A Remote Pilot Certificate via the TrainingZone Eurocontrol platform (see Training page) which is proof of training for the pilot himself. This document bears a LUX-RP-xxxxxxxxxxxx number (RP and 12 characters). By analogy with the automotive sector, this number is similar to a driver’s license number. This document is deliverable to any citizen of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and / or abroad.
Therefore, both documents must be in the possession of the UAS Pilot.
As part of the OPEN category, registration is compulsory for operators:
- UAS that have a mass of 250 g or more;
- UAS that have a mass of less than 250 g but:
- are able to operate at speeds greater than 90km / h
- are equipped with a camera or a microphone, if these UAS are NOT toys *
* A UAS is a toy when a manufacturer intends it for children under the age of 14 and meets the minimum safety criteria required to be so named. Compliance with these standards naturally limits the capabilities of the UAS (size, weight, non-dangerous spare parts, no powerful motor, etc.): see Directive 2009/48 / EC of 18 June 2009 on the safety of toys
Under the SPECIFIC category, registration is compulsory for all operators.
Natural persons can only register in the country where they reside.
Legal persons must register in the country where their principal place of business is located.
Registration can only be done in one Member State at a time.
The operator registration procedure is available at MyGuichet .
At the end of the registration procedure, a UAS operator registration number is issued along with the associated secret code. The registration number must be affixed legibly to all UASs that the operator uses.
The complete identification chain (= registration number + secret code) must be encoded in the UAS direct remote identification system operated, if so equipped.
This UAS operator registration number is valid for one year and must therefore be renewed periodically following the same procedure. The operator therefore always uses the same number unless the latter is permanently deregistered from the register.
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 to film St. John’s Church in Luxembourg, 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.