Drone flying in Iceland

Use of drones has increased rapidly in Iceland for the recent years, the country's nature and the landscape are like nothing else for those who are taking pictures or videos with drones. There is not much that compares taking photo and videos from the air of volcanoes, geothermal areas, hot springs and geysers, black sand coast or mossy lava fields, waterfalls or glaciers.

With drones, you get another dimension of nature, and they are great devices to capture the exquisite nature of Iceland.

Drone video filmed in South Iceland 

Rules for flying drone in Iceland

Samgöngustofa (The Icelandic Transport Authority) www.samgongustofa.is supervises and sets rules for flying drones in Iceland. There has been issued a regulation that has exceeded the limits that have been set for dronefly in Iceland. There you can also find forms where you can apply for a special permit with your drone, such as if you want to fly them higher than the set maximum height limit of 120 meters.

Below is a summary of the regulations regarding flying drones in Iceland http://www.icetra.is/aviation/drones/

Highlights from Icelandic drone regulation:

• The drone must have a name, address and telephone number of the owner on them.  
• Drones used for commercial purposes, have to be registered with the Icelandic Transport Authority. Registration drones can be done here.
• It is prohibited to fly drones higher than 120 meters without special permission from the Icelandic Transport Authority. Here you can apply for a license.  
• It is prohibited to fly drones within certain distances from the boundary of an airport without permission from the airport operator. However, permission is not needed if flying altitude is below the highest structures/buildings where the drone is going to fly.  
• Ensure the use of drones will not cause an undue disturbance, harm people or animals or damage to property. For this purpose, before the flight is carried out, define functional areas so as to ensure an adequate distance from people, animals, buildings and assets.
• Sources flight in the vicinity of residential or other places where people live and at the premises of the general rules on property rights, privacy and personal data protection.

Non-commercial use and private use

• Identify drone with name, address and telephone number
• Drone weight may not exceed 3 kg in urban areas and 25 kg in rural areas
• Drone over 20 kg of weight must have insurance
• Do not fly over a crowd
• Do not fly higher than 120 meters above the ground
• Gain insight rules on privacy and privacy policy
• For an international airport, there are a 2 km proximity restrictions. But 1.5 km to other airports See further information on samgongustofa.is
• Do not fly close to public buildings than 150 m.
• Not fly closer to buildings and sites than 50 meters in urban areas and 150 meters in rural unless authorized drone.
• Check territorial limitations on flying drones before take off.
• Make sure you have the drone within the field of vision during flight. See further regulation on www.samgongustofa.is
• The owner of the drone is responsible for any damage that may result from its use.
• Do not fly close to air traffic or traffic of ships and vehicles. Manned aircraft or vehicles always have priority over drones.

Rules for commercial use

• Identify the drone and record flight data. Carry out a risk assessment for operations in urban area
• Maximum weight may not exceed 7 kg in urban areas and 25 kg in rural areas
• Drone over 20 kg of weight must have insurance
• You need to register your drone for commercial use at the Icelandic Transport Authority (Samgöngustofa), where you can also apply for an exemption from restrictions.
• Maximum flying altitude is 120 m above ground
• Check local regulations for privacy and privacy policy
• For an international airport, there are a 2 km proximity restrictions. But 1.5 km to other airports See further information on samgongustofa.is
• Not fly closer to buildings and sites than 50 meters in urban areas and 150 meters in rural unless authorized drone.
• Check territorial limitations on flying drones before take off.
• Make sure you have the drone within the field of vision during flight. See further regulation on www.samgongustofa.is
• The owner of the drone is responsible for any damage that may result from its use.
• Do not fly over crowd
• Do not fly close to air traffic or traffic of ships and vehicles. Manned aircraft or vehicles always have priority over drones.

See: Flying a Drone document from the Icelandic Transport Authority       http://www.icetra.is/aviation/drones/

Fun Iceland is not responsible for errors regarding the translation of text, Icelandic text at the Icelandic Transport Authority web is valid in all cases there is a discrepancy

Other important things to check out before taking off:

• Make sure to read and know the manufacturer's instructions for your drone
• Always show caution and do not fly in any way that could endanger anyone.
• Try to fly over open areas and uninhabited. Introduce rules on protected areas, birds and animals.

Best places for flying drone in Iceland

There are many good places for flying drone in Iceland, so you should have an endless possibility to find your dream shoot.

Some of the most known tourist places like Gullfoss waterfall, Skógafoss waterfall and other famous places have banned drones flight in the areas around these places. Also as of 2016 the recreational use of drones is banned at all National Parks in Iceland, there are three National Parks in Iceland; Vatnajökull National Park, Snæfellsjökull National Park and Þingvellir National Park. 

For other places and more remote places, you should not have a problem with flying drones. Best is to follow the guidelines from the American Transport Authority. Also remember not to disturb other people, animals or birds in the area. Birds are particularly sensitive to noise drones and might interfere with the mating or when they are thinking of nests or young.

It's also good to note that the drones are noisy and can, therefore, disrupt and damage the experience of others who are in the area where the drones.

When flying over private land shall endeavour to obtain permission from landowners, it can be good offer them to send some photos instead.

Interesting areas or places to take pictures or video with drones

Waterfalls

Waterfalls in Iceland are interesting challenges for drones. They are countless and some of them are difficult to approach comfortable without drones and that creates the uniqueness and gives the opportunity for unique photos. Although it is forbidden to use drones at many of the most popular waterfall (such as a waterfall, Seljalandsfoss, waterfall Skógafoss and Gullfoss waterfall).

There are countless other waterfalls that are great challenges for drones, such as, waterfalls above waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, there are numerous great waterfalls. Also Gluggafoss waterfall near Hvolsvöllur town, Háifoss and Granni in Þjórsárdalur valley. Glymur waterfall in Hvalfjörður near Reykjavík. You can contact us and we can recommend good places for trips for waterfalls photo shooting.

Volcanoes

Volcanoes are a great challenge for drones, it is fun to fly over craters and lava fields and see them from the air, it gives these amazing phenomena another point of view, there are many small craters across the Island that are easy to approach and photograph. These include Eldborg near Borgarnes, Hverfjall (Hverfell) by Mývatn and craters in a circuit with Eldhraun and Lakagigar craters to name a few.

Glaciers

In Iceland, you will find a lot of glaciers. Some are easy to fly over with drone and you can give some great pictures or videos. When flying over glaciers you should be looking for areas with holes and glacier fissure and in some places like Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon you can find icebergs floating on the lake. It is the same with glaciers and other places there are some glaciers in Iceland were there is a lot of people doing glacier walks and ice climbing please make sure you are not flying over people are doing some glacier activities. It should be easy for you to find an area on the glacier without any people.

Geothermal and hot spring areas

Geothermal and hot spring areas are often areas that are difficult to go across and have very limited access, they can be dangerous as they are changing and it can be small holes under the surface with boiling water that people can step into. A drone is an ideal tool for flying over this area. These areas are also often incredibly colourful and great to see them from the air.
It is prohibited to use drones at the geothermal area of Geysir. But you should be able to find other areas where it's are ok to fly over.

When to fly

If you are travelling in Iceland in the summer when you have up to 24 hours of daylight, it should be easy to find a time and place where other people will not be disturbed by your drone. Light early in the morning and late at night can also be indescribably beautiful and the best time to take pictures or video.

It also means that there are very few people in the area late at night or very early in the morning and you have a better opportunity to achieve nice shots without having to worry about disturbing others.

Need help

At Fun Iceland we are ready to advise you about places and trips that may be suitable for you dronefly depending on what you are looking for. We are experts in Iceland and we have been flying drones as well and can save you a lot of time to find unique places.
Do not hesitate to e-mail us at [email protected]