Model flying in Sweden

Joint contribution by Sveriges Modellflygförbund (SMFF) and Svenska RC-flygförbundet (RCFF), last updated on 12/12/2020

Summary

It has been agreed with the Swedish Transport Agency that the Swedish model-flying organisations Sveriges Modellflygförbund (SMFF) and Svenska RC-flygförbundet (RCFF) will continue to  receive authorisations under Article 16(2)(b) of EU Regulation 2019/947 that will allow their (associated) members to operate model aircraft from approved model flying fields subject to flying and safety rules that has been approved by the Transport agency. This will, with a few exceptions, allow model aircraft pilots to continue to operate as they do today.

In Sweden the recreational operation of unmanned aircraft (UAS) with an all-up weight (AUW) less than 25 kg is allowed at altitudes up to 120 m above ground level (AGL) and within visual line of sight in most places.
The operation of UAS is forbidden within restricted areas and within 5 km of airport runways where some form of Air Navigation Service is provided. Operation is also forbidden within Air Traffic Zones (ATZ) and within 1 km of heliports. Flight is also forbidden within certain nature reserves and national parks.
Within Control Zones (CTR) and Traffic Information Zones (TIZ) of civil airports UAS may be operated at altitudes up to 50 m AGL, if the distance to the nearest runway is more than 5 km, the AUW of the UAS is less than 7 kg and the flying speed is less than 90 km/h. For Control Zones with military airfields the corresponding maximum altitude is 10 m.

Most, if not all, areas where flying is forbidden or subject to limitations are published on a web chart maintained by Air Navigation Services of Sweden (LFV), which is a state enterprise under the Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation, Link: https://daim.lfv.se/echarts/dronechart/.

For the operation of all but the smallest UAS, i.e., UAS with an AUW below 250 g, maximum flying speed less than 19 m/s (68,4 km/h) and not equipped with a sensor able to capture personal data, an operator’s registration is mandatory. In most cases, if the UAS is operated outside approved model airfields the remote pilot is required to undergo an online education and a theory test provided by Swedish Transport Agency.

Overview of rules in effect 2024
Saftey rules for all model flying in Sweden

Implementing the EU rules

Effective from January 1, 2021 the operation of UAS is regulated by the Swedish Transport Agency in accordance with the EU Commission Implementing Regulation 2019/947. The model flying associations, RCFF and SMFF have reached a joint agreement with the Swedish Transport Agency concerning a continued operational authorisation under Article 16(2)(b) of EU Regulation 2019/947 allowing operation of model aircraft subject to a set of flying and safety rules that are common to both organisations from model airfields that have been approved by the Swedish Transport Agency. Depending on local conditions, operation of model aircraft may be allowed above 120 m AGL and may also include the operation of model aircraft heavier than 25 kg.

A database of approved model airfields is maintained by RCFF and is available on https://www.faltregister.se Model-flying clubs, and individual members may apply for approval of model airfields through this database on the web. This procedure has been agreed upon with RCFF, SMFF and the Swedish Transport Agency.

Flying outside approved model airfields requires pilots to follow the open category rules in accordance with the Swedish implementation of EU Regulation 2019/947.

Who

There is no requirement to be a member of a club or association, unless a pilot wishes to operate a model aircraft under the Article 16 authorisation received by the model-flying organisations. Non-members are required to adhere to the open category rules.

For operation of UAS lighter than 250 g, a maximum flying speed less than 19 m/s (68,4 km/h) and not equipped with a sensor able to capture personal data, no registration or formal training is required. For the operation of UAS that do not fulfil all of these criteria, registration as operator with the Swedish Transport Agency is mandatory. There is a 145 SEK (approx. €15) registration fee and a 145 SEK annual record-keeping fee.

Within the Open Category, depending on the classification of UAS, completion of an online education and a theory test provided by Swedish Transport Agency are required in order to be approved as remote pilot. The theory test is subject to a 390 SEK fee (approx. €39) and the competency certificate is valid for 5 years. Typically, an aeromodeller would need to qualify as an A1/A3 remote pilot, if flying from sites other than approved model airfields.

Members of model flying clubs are also required to register individually as operators as described above. For the operation of UAS from approved model airfields under the Article 16 authorisation, the online education and theory test are not needed.

In order to register as operator there is an 18-year age limit. For a young person below that age a parent, another person above the age of 18 or a model flying club can register and act as operator for the young person.

In order to operate UAS with an all-up weight above 250 g there is a 16-year age limit. This age limit does not apply for children that are members of a model flying club and operating model aircraft from an approved model airfield under the Article 16 authorisation. The model flying club is required to provide training and mentorship until the child reaches the age of 18.

For recreational flying a liability insurance is advised but not required, unless the all-up weight of the UAS is above 20 kg. The model flying associations however, provide their members with a liability insurance for operation of UAS either operated under the Article 16 authorisation or if flying outside of the authorisation under the general rules.

Visiting pilots

Visitors to Sweden who wish to operate model aircraft at approved model airfields need to have an operator’s registration, proof of membership of a recognized model flying organisation from the country of residence and a 3rd party liability insurance covering model aircraft operation. Model aircraft operation should be according to the RCFF/SMFF safety rules that has been approved by the Swedish Transport Agency.

An easy way to fulfill the regulations is to register as a member of one of the two model flying organisations in Sweden, either RCFF or SMFF, and submit your Opertors ID in the registration form, see links at the end of this page.

Before you go to fly at one of the approved model airfields it is mandatory to contact the club/person responsible for the field to have an update on local regulations. See the map for contact info.

For EU residents the operator should be registered through the National Aviation Authority of the country of residence. For non-EU residents the operator’s registration should be obtained from the National Aviation Authority of the first EU country where the visitor intends to operate model aircraft/UAS.
Visitors to Sweden who wish to operate UAS/model aircraft from other sites than approved model airfields are required to follow all the provisions under the open category of the EU drone regulation. Typically, this will require the visitor to be qualified as remote pilot in class A1/A3, in Sweden or any other EU country.

Model/UAS

UAS/models in the Open Category with an all-up weight below 25 kg do not require registration. If the UAS is heavier than 250 g, has a maximum airspeed above 19 m/s or is equipped with a sensor able to capture personal data it should be clearly marked with the operator’s registration ID provided by the Swedish transport agency. If operated under dark conditions, the UAS should carry a flashing green light.

Flying

Flying within Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) is mandatory.  First-person view (FPV) flight is allowed when a “spotter” that monitors the flight is present.

When using cameras or recording equipment privacy rules must be respected.

In general, for UAS operated within the Open category flight is not allowed

  • above 120 m,
  • within restriction areas
  • within certain nature reserves and national parks
  • within a 1 km radius of heliports,
  • within 5 km of airport runways where some form of Air Navigation Service is provided
  • within 150 m of residential, business, industrial and recreational areas,
  • close to assemblies of persons not involved in the flight operation. It is recommended that a horizontal distance at least equal to the flying altitude, i.e., the 1:1 rule, should be maintained.

Within Control Zones (CTR) and Traffic Information Zones (TIZ) of civil airports UAS may be operated at altitudes up to 50 m AGL, if the distance to the nearest runway is more than 5 km, the AUW of the UAS is less than 7 kg and the flying speed is less than 90 km/h. For Control Zones with military airfields the corresponding maximum altitude is 10 m.

A drone chart with most, if not all, flight restrictions marked is maintained by Air Navigation Services of Sweden (LFV), which is a state enterprise under the Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation.
Link: https://daim.lfv.se/echarts/dronechart/

Associations

In Sweden two aeromodelling associations are active:

Further information and useful links

A list and map of model airfields approved by the Swedish Transport Agency, the RCFF/SMFF safety rules that has been approved by the Swedish Transport Agency, etcetera can be found under:

The Air Navigation Services of Sweden (LFV), provides a drone chart with areas where flying is forbidden or subject to limitations:

The Swedish Transport Agency provide a website (mostly in Swedish) with the current legislation for the operation of UAS in Sweden:

The Swedish Transport Agency also provide a simplified guide in order to determine under what conditions an operator’s registration and/or training to become a remote pilot are required:

The study material for the on-line theory test required to be approved as remote pilot (Class A1/A3 and Class A2) is available on-line from the Swedish Transport Agency: