Three equal vertical bands of Prussian blue (hoist side), chrome yellow, and vermilion red. Emblem in center of flag is of a Roman eagle of dark gold (brown) outlined in black with a red beak and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons. On its breast is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized aurochs head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow. Based on the color scheme of the flag of Romania – with which Moldova shares a history and culture – but Moldova’s blue band is lighter. The reverse of the flag displays a mirrored image of the coat of arms.

Flag courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Map courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Google Earth

Built during the reign of Stephen the Great, several authors believed the Soroca Fort was constructed on the site of a former Genoese fortress named Olhionia.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Government

According to Britannica, a new constitution, which replaced the 1978 document that had provided for a Soviet-style government structure, was approved by the Moldovan parliament in July 1994 and promulgated on August 27 of that year. Describing the republic as a “sovereign, independent” state in which “justice and political pluralism” are guaranteed, this constitution formally established a unicameral parliament whose members are directly elected to four-year terms. By secret ballot they elect the president, who serves as the head of state, to a four-year term. The president shares executive power with the Council of Ministers (cabinet), which is led by the prime minister, who is designated by the president (after consultation with the parliamentary majority) and approved by the parliament. The council is responsible for implementing the domestic and foreign policy of the state.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Gagauz in the south and Russians east of the Dniester River declared their own independent republics. The Moldovan government addressed the desires of the Gagauz in January 1995 by establishing an autonomous administrative region known as Găgăuzia. Its capital is in Comrat, where a governor (bașkan), an executive committee, and a legislature sit (foreign policy, defense, and monetary issues in Găgăuzia are still under the control of the Moldovan government). Neither the Moldovan government nor the international community has recognized the independent republic of Transdniestria (Pridnestrovie; Transnistria), whose name is derived from its location beyond (on the eastern side of) the Dniester River. Under Transdniestria’s constitution its president also serves as prime minister, and there is a unicameral legislature. The self-proclaimed republic also has its own flag and anthem. In response to the region’s aspirations, the 1994 Moldovan constitution had authorized “special status” for the semiautonomous territory of Transdniestria, as it had for Găgăuzia. This offer was rejected by Transdniestria’s government, and an overwhelming majority of Transdniestrian residents voted for independence in a 2006 referendum (though the subsequent declaration of independence was not recognized elsewhere). Russia maintained a force of some 1,500 troops in Transdniestria.

Following Soviet rule, Moldova was reorganized into județ (counties), the municipality of Chișinău, and the autonomous region of Găgăuzia. In 2003 the country was restructured again, with previous divisions replaced by  raione (districts), municipii (municipalities; including Chișinău), and Găgăuzia. At a more local level, Moldova is administered by elected town and village councils and mayors; their activities are coordinated by district councils, which also are elected.

The judicial system comprises the Supreme Court of Justice (with members appointed by the parliament), a Court of Appeal, and lower courts (whose members are appointed by the president). The Higher Magistrates’ Council nominates judges and oversees their transfer and promotion.

Civil / National Aviation Authority (CAA/NAA)

The Moldova Civil Aviation Authority is an administrative authority for certification, supervision and control in the field of civil aviation, which has the status of a legal person of public law with a form of legal organization of the Agency, financed from the state budget, based in Chisinau municipality, and is subordinated to the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure. The Authority’s mission is to implement civil aviation policies and to monitor compliance by natural and legal persons with legislation in this area to ensure flight safety, aeronautical safety, consumer protection and occupational safety.

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. MOLDATSA AIP

Drone Regulations

RPAS laws

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Republic of Moldova (hereinafter CAA RM) has the role of regulating all activities in the field of light and ultralight aviation in the Republic of Moldova.

The main tasks of CAA RM in the field of light and ultralight aviation and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (General Aviation) include:

• Creating the conditions for the development of light, ultra-light and sports aviation (General Aviation) in the Republic of Moldova, as well as the operation of this aviation branch in safe conditions for civil aeronautical operators and state operators.

• Regulation of the use by light, ultra-light aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (General Aviation) on the territory and in the airspace of the Republic of Moldova.

• Supervision of the compliance of the operations of light and ultra-light aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (General Aviation) with the safety requirements in the Republic of Moldova.

• Ensuring the public interest in the protection of individuals and their assets in the event of the operation of light, ultralight aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (General Aviation).

• Assistance of light, ultra-light and sports aviation (General Aviation) users in scientific-technical and international cooperation.

The attributions of CAA RM that regulate the activity of light and ultra light aviation (hereinafter LA / ULA / RPAS (GA)) are listed according to the categories:

1. Certification:

Implementing the expertise of documents from LA / ULA / RPAS (GA) Users to provide certificates issuance (extension, renewal, suspension, revocation):

• LA / ULA / RPAS (GA) aircraft pilot certificates;

• Airworthiness certificates of LA / ULA / RPAS (GA) aircrafts.

2. Competences:

Certificates of registration of organizations and persons involved in flight training activities (issuance, extension):

Qualifications (issuance, extension, appropriate qualification permits):

• Pilots qualifications for ultra-light motorless aircrafts;
• Pilots qualifications for light and ultra-light motorized aircrafts;
• Pilots qualifications for unmanned aircrafts;
• Permission of examiners;
• Permission for special LA / ULA / RPAS (GA) operations.

Theoretical examination and testing of flight skills, as well as the implementation of practical internships for LA / ULA / RPAS (GA) users within the certification activity;

Establishing requirements for LA / ULA / RPAS (GA) aircrafts records;

Establishing the requirements for initial and continuous airworthiness of LA / ULA / RPAS (GA) aircrafts, components and installed equipment;

Establishing requirements for experimental LA / ULA / RPAS (GA) aircrafts, components and installed equipment as well as their maintenance;

Establishing requirements for motorized and motorless LA / ULA / RPAS (GA) aircrafts as well as their general aviation special air operations;

Establishing the requirements for organizations and individuals who perform flight training with LA / ULA / RPAS (GA);

Establishing the requirements for examiners of LA / ULA / RPAS (GA).

3. Approvals:

• Approval of theoretical and practical training programs for pilots, instructors, LA / ULA / RPAS (GA) on different types, as well as regulations for assessing piloting skills in accordance with these programs;
• Approval of technical maintenance programs to provide safe operation of LA / ULA / RPAS (GA) aircrafts;
• Approval of the technical requirements for the experimental LA / ULA / RPAS (GA) aircrafts;
• Approval of the regulations for organizing aviation sports events. Coordination of LA / ULA / RPAS (GA) aircraft flight zones within the organization of aviation sports events in the Republic of Moldova;
• Approval of the lists of reporting documents for LA / ULA / RPAS (GA);
• Approval of the form and content of various documents submitted by LA / ULA / RPAS (GA) users to the Civil Aeronautical Authority of the Republic of Moldova;
• Approval of pilots, who are accepted to perform LA / ULA / RPAS (GA) aircrafts test flights;
• Coordination and reservation of areas for LA / ULA / RPAS (GA) flights, as well as take-off and landing sites, as well as launch points;
• Coordination of air traffic controller cooperation instructions with LA / ULA / RPAS (GA) users operating in reserved areas and from take-off and landing sites;
• Approval of the lists of questions for theoretical examinations and tests, examination sheets and educational materials in accordance with the flight training programs;
• Participation in development of flight rules for appropriate LA / ULA / RPAS (GA) operations;
• Development and approval of instructions, decisions, mandatory directives for all users and aeronautical personnel operating LA / ULA / RPAS (GA) aircrafts.

4. Inspection and supervision:

• Collection and evaluation of statistical data and other data submitted by individuals and legal entities operating LA / ULA / RPAS (GA) in accordance with applicable law;
• Compliance monitoring by individuals and legal entities carrying out flight training in accordance with the applicable aeronautical regulations;
• Implement planned and unplanned measures to monitor users’ compliance with flight safety and aviation safety requirements;
• If necessary, apply restrictions on operations of LA / ULA / RPAS (GA).

5. International relations:

• Monitoring compliance with requirements of the aeronautical legislation in force in the Republic of Moldova by the foreign operators of LA / ULA and RPAS (GA) when they perform domestic flights in the airspace and on the territory of the Republic of Moldova;
• Informing the aeronautical authorities from the countries of registration of foreign LA / ULA and RPAS  (GA) regarding the violation of the aeronautical legislation of the Republic of Moldova and international regulations.
• Consulting services to operators of foreign LA / ULA / RPAS (AG) aircrafts that perform domestic flights in the airspace and on the territory of the Republic of Moldova.

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)

Short Essay Questions