It is still a very low number considering the number of assessed users in the Swedish airspace, says Christoffer Massinger, drone coordinator at the Transport Agency.
The government's proposal is to introduce sanctions from July 1st this summer: either day fines or up to six months' imprisonment.
The proposal has been out for consultation and will be presented in a bill to the parliament.
Half a million
No one knows exactly how many drones there are in Sweden, but it's estimated to be around half a million, according to the Transport Agency. About 40,000 have obtained a drone certificate.
It's going up, but it's going slowly, says Christoffer Massinger.
That's why they want clearer rules and clearer penalties in order to get to the users who still haven't obtained a drone certificate.
The Transport Agency believes it's due to ignorance. But it could also be that many think it's difficult and expensive.
Nine serious incidents
Incorrect handling of drones can have consequences, not least for air traffic when drones come too close.
In ten years, 719 incidents with drones in connection with air traffic have been registered and analyzed.
Nine such incidents have been classified as serious. It has, for example, involved drone flights at too high an altitude, situations during aircraft landings, collisions, and drone crashes. But so far, drone incidents have not led to personal injuries.
The Transport Agency sees a downward trend in recent times.
Right now, we only have statistics up to September 2024, but so far, there are fewer incidents than during the same period in 2023, says Christoffer Massinger.
Alarming reports
The use of drones is expected to increase rapidly, mainly among professional drone operators who perform complex operations.
The Transport Agency receives alarming reports from the industry that many deliberately break the rules, for example, flying with heavier drones in urban environments.
Here, Christoffer Massinger hopes that customers of drone pilots will help by demanding that drone pilots have the right competence and all permits in place before they take off.
The requirement for a drone certificate applies if the drone weighs 250 grams or more.
The education consists of a 90-page compendium to read and then an online test.
The price depends on what type of and how many permits you want and lands between 390 and 780 kronor.
If the drone weighs 250 grams or more, you must also register as a drone operator. This also applies to the use of all drones equipped with cameras or sensors for sound recording, regardless of weight.
For more advanced drones, there are requirements for competence certificates if the drone falls into the specific category and requirements for remote pilot certificates if the drone belongs to the certified category.
More detailed information can be found on the Transport Agency's website.
