Reykjavik (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Drones have become more advanced and sophisticated, and this has given a rise to aerial photography. No matter where you are in the world, you are bound to see a drone flying. In a photogenic place like Iceland, you will surely see a drone pilot capturing the scenic environment from above.
Most of Iceland’s residents live in and around the capital, Reykjavik, and this leaves plenty of wide open spaces for drone flying.
Drone Laws In Iceland
You travel for hours and do not see any people around in Iceland but there are still some strict rules and regulations set in the country when it comes to drone flying. The following are the major rules that people follow for flying a drone in Iceland.
1.No Interference With The Air Traffic
The major rule concerning drone flying in Iceland is that you must not disturb air traffic. This rule concerns altitude and the drone pilots must not interfere with the air traffic in the sky. It is prohibited to fly a drone in Iceland at a height of more than 120 meters.
You have to take special permission from the Icelandic Transport Authority to fly a drone above that height. The drone registration permission must be taken from the authorities if you wish to exceed those limits for any reason.
2. Staying Alert While Flying Near Airports
Drone pilots have to take care special care when they are flying near airports. You are prohibited to fly a drone within a specific distance from the boundary of the airport. You must stay away from the aerodrome and should take special permission from the airport operator for going near the area.
However, you don’t have to take any special permission if you are flying a drone below the height. It is a must to stay away from the highest structures if you want to fly a drone without any interruptions.
3. Fly At A Certain Distance
People who wish to fly a drone are allowed to fly at a distance of 2km for aerodromes. You must follow the scheduled air services and fly 1.5 km above the sky.
4. No Contact With An Aircraft
This is about general common sense that drone pilots must not get in contact with the named aircraft. You must avoid flying your drone in an area where it could come into contact with an aircraft.
There are several other rules that you must keep in mind for flying a drone in Iceland. If you are not a beginner, then these rules must be familiar to you as your home country also tells you to follow these drone common drone laws.
5.Not Allowed To Fly Near Mountains
Pilots who wish to fly a drone in Iceland are bound to keep their drone within their line of sight. You are not allowed to fly your drone around a mountain, that is 3 miles down the road. It is also prohibited to fly a drone up into the clouds. You must keep visual contact with your drone at all times as it is important to ensure that you avoid accidents. It is best not to put your drone and the safety of everyone at risk by not following the rules.
6. Prohibited to Fly Over Crowds
You are not allowed to fly your drone over crowds. Drone pilots are restricted to flying in areas where there are a lot of crowds. You must not fly above 150m of public buildings and 50m of residential buildings. It is best not to fly your drone in rural areas unless you have taken special permission. It could be dangerous for people if a drone flies in their heads without a warning.
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7. Some Sites Are Drone Free
There are some strict rules about where you can fly a drone in Iceland. You must not fly a drone in places where it is not allowed. There are several rules regarding drone flying in Iceland and one of the major ones says that some areas are drone free.
You are prohibited to enter those areas and might not even get permission to fly there at any cost. Icelandic Environment Agency has formulated special laws regarding drone flying in certain areas. Several sites are marked as ‘drone-free’ in Iceland.
This means that you are not allowed to fly there until you get express permission. You are less likely to get express permission because there are some strict laws regarding drone flying in those prohibited areas.
