Operating and using the unmanned aircraft system (or drones)
The drone has to be in a proper technical condition, and you have to check if the meteorological and other conditions allow for a safe flight, if all equipment is properly attached and if the drone can take off and land smoothly. For safety reasons, drones may only fly during the day
Unmanned aircraft system flights will be performed in accordance with the applicable regulations for the use of the airspace of the Republic of Croatia and the provisions of the Ordinance on Unmanned Aircraft Systems.Unmanned aircraft system flights can be intended for:
1) sports and recreational purposes (model aircraft)2) flight operation purposes (performing aerial work – such as photography, advertisement, observation, etc.).
1. Unmanned aircraft system flights for sports and recreational purposes (model aircraft)
Necessary documents for unmanned aircraft system flights for sports and recreational purposes (model aircraft)- A licence for the use of the radio spectrum, available on the website of HAKOM. The licence depends on the frequency band used by the unmanned aircraft system (e.g. for a 2.400 – 2.4835 GHz frequency band you will need the General Licence OD-16, and for a 5.725 – 5.875 GHz frequency band you will need the General Licence OD-92).
- An insurance policy in accordance with the Act on Compulsory Insurance within the Transport Sector. An insurance policy is only necessary if the unmanned aircraft system has a mass of 20 kg or more.
- Before flying in a controlled airspace, it is necessary to obtain an approval from Croatia Control.
- The unmanned aircraft system must be labelled with a non-flammable identification plate when its mass exceeds 5 kg.
– the unmanned aircraft system’s identification mark,
– the owner’s contact information (name, surname, address, telephone/e-mail).
Allowed areas for unmanned aircraft system flights for sports and recreational purposes (model aircraft)
Flights for sports and recreational purposes may only be performed in unpopulated areas.2. Unmanned aircraft system flights for flight operation purposes
The unmanned aircraft system operator may perform flight operations after:- submitting to the Croatian Civil Aviation Agency the Registration of UAS Operator (FOD-FRM-005). Registration is required for B2 and C1 categories.
- obtaining approval from the Croatian Civil Aviation Agency for performing C2 category flight operations.
Unmanned aircraft system flight operations in controlled airspace
Drone flight operations in controlled airspace are only allowed with prior approval from Croatia Control.Control zone (CTR) limits.
Keep in mind that unmanned aircraft system flights will be performed at a minimum distance of 3 km from aerodromes and aerodrome approach and departure paths.
If you notice unauthorised performance of drone flight operations, please submit a report form to the Croatian Civil Aviation Agency.
All unmanned aircraft that have a mass of over 900 g require establishing an ad hoc airspace structure before performance of flight operations.
Unmanned aircraft flights are permitted in the following conditions:
- in controlled airspace outside a radius of 5 km from the aerodrome reference point at a maximum height of 50 m above ground level
- at a minimum distance of 3 km from the edges and thresholds of a runway of an uncontrolled aerodrome (image 1-1), unless there are specially designed procedures in place regarding unmanned aircraft flights defined by the Instruction on the use of the aerodrome.