Filenews 16 January 2021 - by Michalis Hatzivasilis
No more uncontrolled drone flight, known as drones, following an EU regulation in place from 1 January and in Cyprus.
Drone operators will no longer be able to fly them over people, nor will we see the phenomenon of recording scenes over weddings or events, because apart from the dangers that lie, there is a question of protecting citizens' personal data. However, in addition to recreational purposes, drones have now entered our lives as intelligence-gathering tools. For example, drones can bring additional benefits when used to collect and interpret data in different sectors of the economy. However, drones can also cause problems in terms of data protection, privacy, noise and even CO2 emissions.
As stated in "F" the consultant of the Unmanned Aircraft System in the Department of Civil Aviation, Andreas Iakovidis, in Cyprus it is estimated that there are about three thousand drones and until yesterday 150 people have applied for the relevant permits.
As explained, all drone owners have an obligation to register in the operator registration systems that the Civil Aviation Department will provide when the drone is under their responsibility:
It has a maximum take-off mass equal to or greater than 250gr or in the event of an impact, it can transfer to humans kinetic energy of more than 80 Joule.
It has a maximum take-off mass of less than 250gr and has a sensor capable of collecting personal data, unless it complies with Directive 2009/48/EC (games).
In view of the risks to privacy and the protection of personal data, drone operators should be registered if they operate a drone with a sensor capable of collecting personal data. However, this requirement should not apply where the drone is considered a toy within the meaning of Directive 2009/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the safety of toys.
• Performs operations in the "special" category.
After registration, the Drone System Operator (SSM) will electronically receive a unique digital registration number, which it has a legal obligation to paste into all MEA under its responsibility. Those who operate drones and are not registered in the registration system and/or who have not pasted their digital number into the drones that are under their responsibility will be deemed to have violated the regulation and will be subject to the appropriate penalty. In addition, all remote operators shall be required to hold an operator's certificate in their possession, in electronic or printed form, when requested by control officers.
As Mr. Iakovidis explains, for the open category, there are two types of certificates:
• Certificate of completion of e-learning A1/A3
• Certificate of remote operator capacity A2.
Remote drone operators who do not hold an operator's certificate, in electronic or printed form, when requested by competent authorities, shall be deemed to have infringed the Regulation and shall be subject to the appropriate penalty.
In addition, the competent authority may, when checking the drone operator, use a special code at the bottom of the certificate to verify the operator's details. If the operator holds a certificate from another European country, the code given in Cyprus cannot be used.
According to the Special Adviser of the Department of Civil Aviation on drone matters, penalties will soon be prepared – out of court for violators, and now only administrative penalties can be imposed.
Drone operator such as aircraft
During the inspection, the competent authority must ensure that the drone meets the following conditions:
• The CE marking shall be clearly, legibly and indelibly placed on the product or on the data plate attached to the product. Where this is not possible or justified by the size of the product, the CE marking shall be placed on the packaging.
• The non-EEA category identification label shall be clearly, legibly and indelibly placed on the drones and on its packaging and shall be at least 5 mm high.
• The indication of the sound power level shall be clearly, legibly and indelibly placed on the drones, unless this is not possible or justified by the size of the product and on the packaging. Unmanned aircraft which do not comply with the above conditions may continue to perform operations but under certain conditions and restrictions.
According to the Regulation, during flight, the remote pilot is not allowed to perform duties under the influence of psychotropic substances or alcohol or when he is unable to perform his duties due to injury, fatigue, medication, illness or other causes.
What is allowed and what is not
When you own a drone, you can't lose sight of it. The operator must keep in touch with it so that it does not escape and cause an accident.
Also, the pilot must register on the website of the Department of Civil Aviation, receive training and examination.
It is forbidden to fly a drone over people less than 30 metres away. The photographing and filming of persons is prohibited without the consent of the affected person.
• Flying a drone over gatherings should be avoided because there are risks.
The maximum height a drone can fly is 150 meters.
• Drone flight over ports, camps and other sensitive areas is prohibited.
Drones of the Police, CSP, National Guard etc. are excluded from this regulation.
