Drone Laws in Falkland Islands

Summary of Drone Laws in the Falkland Islands

Agencies Responsible for regulating drones in the Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. Falkland Islands follows UK Overseas Territories Drone Rules.

Drone Regulator in The United Kingdom: Civil Aviation Authority of The United Kingdom

Authority in the Falkland Islands: Falkland Islands Civil Aviation Department (FICAD)

Contact Information

If you need additional details we have not covered or specific case help, contact the Falkland Islands Civil Aviation Department at:

• Address: Director of Civil Aviation, Falkland Islands Civil Aviation Department, PO Box 705, Stanley, Falkland Islands, FIQQ 1ZZ
• Phone: + 500 28498
• Fax: + 500 27276
• Email: civilaviation@sec.gov.fk

Please continue reading for more details on the Falkland Islands Drone Laws.

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Drone Laws of UK Overseas Territories – General rules for flying drones in the Falkland Islands

The agency responsible for drone safety, FICAD, has provided details on flying for fun or work. We outline the highlights below. For more details, click on the link above.

Are drones allowed in the Falkland Islands?

According to FICAD, drones are allowed in the Falkland Islands, subject to FICAD regulations. Read on for more details.

Rules to follow when flying a drone in the Falkland Islands

The laws for flying small drones (under 25kg) are made to keep everyone safe. If your drone is heavier than 25kg, it’s treated like an airplane, and different rules apply. When flying a drone, you must:

1. Keep it where you can see it without help to avoid accidents.
2. Never fly it in a way that could be dangerous to people or things.
3. Don’t drop anything from your drone that could cause harm.

You can’t fly your drone:

• Out of your sight.
• Higher than 400 feet above the ground.
• For paid work (like taking photos) without permission.
• Near many people (more than 400), close to someone (within 150 feet), or near vehicles and buildings not under your control.
• Inside the boundaries of an airport.

If you’re flying a drone for work, you need to:

• Be sure it’s safe to fly.
• Remember, being careless or risky is against the law.
• Have a guide on how to do your job safely if you have permission for aerial work.
• Have insurance for flying drones for work.

If there are specific Permissions required for the planned operation, these include:

• Under Article 73(4)(b): Permission to conduct Aerial Work (commercial operations)
• Under Article 73(3): Permission for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations
• Under Articles 73(4)(a), (c), (d), (e): Permission for operating at reduced distances from persons, vehicles, vessels or structures
• Under Articles 73(4)(a): Permission to operate at a height of more than 400 feet above the surface
• Under Article 73(4)(f): Permission to operate within the boundary of an aerodrome

The CAA can make special rules or stop drones from flying in certain areas.

Restricted Zones

Stanley Airport Air Traffic Zone extends out from the runway on a 4-mile radius – creating a circular zone that covers the whole town of Stanley.

Inside this Zone, there are manned aircraft taking off or preparing for landing – this includes the local FIGAS aircraft, small private aircraft;
helicopters, and other military aircraft.

If you plan on flying your drone, contact Stanley Airport at (+500) 27301 and tell them where you will be flying it. You must not fly your drone within the boundary of Stanley Airport.

Contact Mount Pleasant Airport before flying to ascertain if any other aircraft are in the area. Tel (+500) 73661.

You are responsible for ensuring that your drone does not collide with other aircraft.

When using a drone to capture wildlife footage, you must still follow the Falkland Islands Countryside Code.

In some circumstances, you may need Accreditation for your intended drone flights. Contact the Falkland Islands Government PR, Media & Communications Office at (+500) 27400 or communications.officer@sec.gov.fk for more details.

Outside of Stanley, almost all of the land is privately owned. Ensure that you have landowner permission before commencing any drone flight on and over private land.

For more information regarding environmental regulations and legislation, contact the Falkland Islands Government Environmental Department (+500) 28449 or environment@sec.gov.fk

Operational Guidance for the Use of Small Unmanned Aircraft in the Falkland Islands

Visual Line of Sight (VLOS)

Flying drones with a clear line of sight means you must see your drone and its surroundings when it’s flying. This helps avoid crashes. You can use glasses, but not binoculars or telescopes. The drone must stay within your eyesight. Normally, if you can see your drone within 500 meters, it’s okay. But for smaller drones, they should be closer.

Operating Height

The maximum flying height is 400 feet above the ground. This keeps drones away from airplanes, which usually fly higher. The height is measured from the ground right below the drone, so it changes over hills or cliffs.

VLOS Operations at Night

Flying drones at night is allowed if you can still see them. You’ll need to include night flying rules in your operations manual, like checking the area in daylight, noting any hazards, and using proper lights on the drone and the take-off area.

Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Permission required

You need special permission and a good safety plan to fly beyond what you can see. This might include technology to avoid crashes, flying in an area where no other aircraft can go, or proving the flight is safe.

If you’re using extra people to help watch the drone, that’s also beyond normal sight flying, and you need permission for that, too. This method requires careful planning and communication with your team.

Uninvolved persons

When flying drones, it’s crucial to protect people who aren’t involved in the flight, like spectators or passersby.

People are considered involved if they’re there just for the drone operation, have agreed to be part of it and understand the risks and safety instructions.

The drone operator must ensure these involved people know what to do if something goes wrong.

For everyone else, keep a safe distance – at least 150 feet away from people, vehicles, and structures you don’t control.

Remember, safety comes first, and privacy matters, too. Don’t fly near buildings without permission, and respect local privacy laws.

If flying over private land, get permission and obey trespass laws.

Vehicles, vessels, structures

Remember, you can’t fly close to people, cars, boats, or buildings unless you control them. You must also consider privacy and security around buildings and get permission to fly over private land.

First Person View

You can’t rely on this video alone when flying drones with a camera that shows live video on screens or goggles (known as First Person View or FPV).

You need a buddy who watches the actual drone to help avoid danger. This person, a Visual Observer, doesn’t need special training but should know the drone rules. They’ll watch for things like other aircraft, buildings, or people and tell you if you need to change direction or land right away.

Remember, you must not fly over people, stay clear of urban areas, and keep safe from vehicles, structures, or people. Also, your drone shouldn’t fly over 400 feet above the ground.

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Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in the Falkland Islands

See the general rules listed above.

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Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in the Falkland Islands

Obtaining a Permission to Undertake Aerial Work

Application forms for Permissions and an information sheet are available on the website under ‘Drones & SUA.’ Here is a link to the application form

Once you have downloaded and filled out the application form, submit the form to civilaviation@sec.gov.fk

The application form will cover the following:

• Name of the operator
• Type of drone
• Weight of drone
• Start-up date
• Location of flight(s)
• Purpose of flight(s)
• Update of operating firmware

The information sheet provides information on current regulations and a definition of ‘aerial work’, along with details about Air Traffic Zones, and other considerations.

Once they have received the form, they will begin to process your application and issue your permission within five working days.

Contact the Civil Aviation Department for more information if required.

Useful published information on flying drones in the Falkland Islands

Here is an example of the view when flying over the Falkland Islands…

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NOTE: This page is about the Regulation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS), Small UAS, Remote Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS), unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), and drone are interchangeable terms unless specified. Model Aircraft, toy, remote-controlled, and RC aircraft may be covered by the same regulations unless specified.

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Traveling with a Drone?

Click here to read our Comprehensive Guide For Traveling With A Drone.

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