In August 2016, the Decree on unmanned aircraft systems entered into force in Slovenia, stipulating general technical and operational conditions for the safe use of unmanned aircrafts, along with the criteria governing their operation. In addition to making sure that each activity performed by the aircraft is safe, the unmanned aircraft operators are responsible for the safety of any people, animals, property and the environment located in the area of the aircraft’s operation.

As a professional operator, Geavis supports the efforts by the Civil Aviation Agency of the Republic of Slovenia (CAA) in raising the public awareness regarding the safe and responsible use of unmanned aircrafts. To this end, we have summarised 10 essential rules for safe flying, using non-technical language, which we adhere to at all times:

• FLY SAFELY: Unmanned aircrafts should only be flown if they pose no danger to anyone and cause no safety disruptions in the air traffic or the general law and order.
• CHECK THE STATE OF THE DRONE: Before each take-off, we must make sure that the unmanned aircraft is in flawless condition and that it functions properly. All equipment and cargo must be fastened tightly so as to prevent anything from falling off during the flight.
• PLAN YOUR FLIGHT: Before the flight, we must make sure that the meteorological and other conditions are conducive to safe flying, and obtain all the information necessary for flight planning.
• MIND THE DISTANCE: Extreme care is needed when flying an unmanned aircraft, with a safe distance maintained upon take-off and landing, during the flight as well as on the ground. A safe distance during the flight is 30 m from any other person, animal, facility, vehicle, vessel, other aircraft, roads, railway tracks, waterways and power lines. We must always be at least 150 m away from any larger group of people (i.e. 12 people or more).
• CAUTION – AIRPORT CONTROL ZONE: In the airport control zone (CTR, i.e. controlled traffic region), unmanned aircrafts are not permitted to fly within a 5 km radius from the airport reference point, but are allowed up to 50 m high outside this radius. Exceptions can be made for aviation events and competitions, subject to a prior permission by the CAA.
• NEVER LET THE DEVICE OUT OF YOUR SIGHT: The unmanned aircraft must always be in the operator’s field of vision and may not be distanced from the operator more than 500 m.
• AT THE RIGHT ALTITUDE: The unmanned aircraft may be flown up to a maximum of 150 m above the ground outside the controlled airspace. Flights up to a maximum of 300 m are allowed if previously permitted by the CAA.
• DRONES DO NOT HAVE PRIORITY: An unmanned aircraft operator must always monitor the rest of the air traffic. Other general aviation aircrafts have priority at all times. In the event of an encounter, avoidance manoeuvres must be initiated immediately.
• ONE DRONE AT A TIME: An operator may only fly one unmanned aircraft at a time.
• NO NIGHT FLIGHTS: Flying unmanned aircrafts is only allowed in the daytime. Night flights require a special permission by the CAA.

Besides adhering to the above rules, Geavis ensures safety in the air through its judiciously selected unmanned aircraft technology. We use aircrafts by tried-and-tested manufacturers, who place great value on the safety of their products, equipping them with sensors and other specialist equipment. The sensors on our aircrafts regularly report all of the aircraft’s vital functions, enabling the operator to control its position, altitude, speed and state of the battery. The autopilot makes sure that the flight is taken along the planned route, that the camera is activated and that the GPS/IMU data are recorded. The operator can focus their complete attention on controlling the flight, immediately responding to any changes of the planned route. Small mass, flexible material and low speeds mean that the risk of damage due to potential collision of the aircraft with another object is minimal and negligible.