Regulations for unmanned aerial vehicle flights in Poland and other European countries – an analysis of the applicable law

Abstract

In Poland, a growing interest in unmanned aerial vehicles has been observed in successive years. First and foremost, the development trend concerns operations with the use of un- manned aerial vehicles – i.e. drones – employed for sport, recreational, and commercial pur- poses. The aim of the present study is to familiarize the users of drones with the most impor- tant issues related to the various regulations and responsibility for their flights in Poland and other European countries. Unmanned aerial vehicles expand the spatial range in which re- search can be conducted. The work uses the method of critical analysis and case analysis based on legislative changes in Polish and European law. The research subject addressed the char- acteristics of the pertinent aviation law regulations, including those applicable to unmanned aerial vehicles. In this context, a study of regulations in European countries was also conduct- ed, indicating the differences between individual countries. The article is a kind of resume of legislative regulations in force in Europe in the context of unmanned aerial vehicles. Extensive legal systems require the pilot of unmanned aerial vehicles to have professional knowledge required to carry out drone missions safely. The conducted analysis of the rules of UAV flights in various countries allows for the conclusion that the introduced changes, aimed at unifying the regulations across all European Union countries, are highly justified. Compared to some other European Union countries, in Poland the implementation of EU regulations in this re- spect is at an advanced stage.