Västra Kovik (Sweden)

Olav van Gerven · Jul 12, 2019

A few days ago, we went for a visit at Västra Kovik, a small beacharea at the altic sea, about one hour south of Stockholm (Sweden). At first, I did not intend to fly the Mavic Air, but as the weather was good, I took al my courage, unpacked the drone, spoke with two swiss girls that were camping at the beach and then launched the drone.
Had a very nice time flying and thought I had some nice footage as well.

Thought

I did not realize that the clouds caused a very tricky light situation. Having set the MA to manual exposure (25 fps, SS 50) the footage was overexposed more then I could simply correct. Still, I do publish this footage on YT, simply to show that not everything always work out the way we think it should work out.

The footage was presented to the Swedish Authorities (Lantmäteriet) and released with permit LM 2019/11005.

For those who are interested in some basic data, two hardcopies of the Airdata Log are edited into the footage.

londondronepilot · Jul 12, 2019

Below link to some usefull information if you fly a drone in Sweden.

Not sure if this aplies also for non Swedish residents and if you publish it from a non Swedish address. E.G. You make some drone videos in Sweden on a holiday and uplod them later from home.

A bit strange rule but ............................

Drone Laws in Sweden | UAV Coach (2023)

Want to learn more about drone laws in Sweden? Check out our list of links and regulations for people flying drones in Sweden.

uavcoach.com

See all videos.

H.O.P - PHOTO & VIDEO

www.youtube.com

Olav van Gerven · Jul 12, 2019

londondronepilot said:
Below link to some usefull information if you fly a drone in Sweden.

Drone Laws in Sweden | UAV Coach (2023)

Want to learn more about drone laws in Sweden? Check out our list of links and regulations for people flying drones in Sweden.

uavcoach.com

See all videos.

H.O.P - PHOTO & VIDEO

www.youtube.com

Thanks for the info. I have had contact with the authorities before I came to Sweden. Contacted Skavsta Tower (which is nearby our house) and got a friendly mail with their number in case I would have any questions about flying at the position I would be.
Also contacted the Lantmäteriet, got very friendly mail in response and am surprised how easy the process for permits is. Before I fly, I check the maps of the Lantmäteriet for marked "Naturreservat" (NFZ).

I am very aware of rules and regulations, know that not all material needs to be released but the Lantmäteriet told me that it would e no problem for them to look over the material. Since I consider it to be better to ask if in doubt, that is what I do. The process takes between two and four days (at the moment).

When I see people where I intend to fly, I get up to them, tell them what i intend to do and give them a card with my name and email. If they are interested in the footage after editing and release, they can contact me and I make it available for them to download in a higher quality then YT offers. Up to now (total of 9 flights of each ca. 25 minutes in six days), I have had no problem, just interested people.

Swedes (sweets) seem to take it all a bit more relaxed then germans

londondronepilot · Jul 12, 2019

Complete waste of time for recreational drone pilots who fly in non restricted areas.

Sweden is a member of the EASA and recreational/commercial rules are changing anyway in July 2020, maybe they get rid of this silly rule

For many very good news, for a few (drone schools) bad news.

Olav van Gerven · Jul 12, 2019

As a guest in Sweden, I want to act as guests should. It not always shows good behaviour if you simply insist on "I have the right..." when you are a guest. I know, there are things I don't NEED to do, but as a guest, I consider it to be civilized behaviour to be in contact with my hosts about what I am doing.
This behaviour, shown by me in the past 17 years visiting Sweden, created opportunities for foto and video at places, where average people would not have had easy acces.
You might consider it "waste of time", well being on holliday, there is much time for me to waste.

Olav van Gerven · Jul 12, 2019

londondronepilot said:
Complete waste of time for recreational drone pilots who fly in non restricted areas.

What I just realize: ALL dronefootage in Sweden MUST be released by the Lantmäteriet UNLESS the footage is specific exempt from this. Roughly said: As soon as you have horizon in the footage, it has to be aproved.