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The content on this page is a public general information. We cannot guarantee that the information is completely accurate or up-to-date. This page should not be used as a substitute for obtaining legal advice from an attorney licensed or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. You should always consult a suitably qualified attorney regarding any specific legal problem or matter.
The public is advised that Government’s ban on the importation of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), also known as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) or drones, remains in place until March 31, 2018.
In addition, a temporary exemption will be considered on a case by case basis for drones which are imported and exported immediately after usage.
Over the years, a significant number of RPAS for commercial and recreational use have been allowed entry into the country. This has contributed to the unregulated increased usage of drones and the inability of the regulatory authorities to ascertain the total in operation.
Concerns have been raised here and internationally about the potential for their misuse and the risks posed to safety, security, and privacy by their unregulated use.
This prohibition on drones, which took effect on April 1, 2016, was implemented to allow the authorities to complete a legal framework, which is now at an advanced stage, to govern the use of these devices and determine the number in operation in Barbados.
Last update: September 4, 2017
Belgium is lagging far behind in terms of legislation so that developing commercial activities using drones in Belgium is currently still virtually impossible.
“This is despite the fact that there are 330 approved operators in France and more than 2,000 in Germany. We are therefore a long way behind, and our businesses are missing out on opportunities“. – Michael Maes Interview, Aviabel Insurance Co.
Excluded from the regulatory requirements of the Royal Decree of 10 April 2016 are:
(a) drones used only to fly inside buildings
(b) drones used by the military, customs authorities, the police, coastguard, etc.
(c) certain types of drones for recreational purposes.
Recreational (private use): no authorization or license is needed provided the risk level of the activity is low and follows the conditions:
Non-recreational: Class 1 and Class 2 are for flying outside the criteria listed in section 3.2 of the Royal Decree, explained in the Aviation Safety Information Leaflet: Drone Flying, drone users will need to:
Last Update: April 10th, 2016
The refusal of bringing the drones to Egypt came as a result of its misuse by potential evil groups. Penalties range from one year in prison plus fines to capital punishment. However, a possible way of using drones is to hire a drone crew from the only licensed Egyptian company.
The regulation by Egypt Regional Governing Body states:
“No unmanned aircraft is allowed to fly or to work in the territory of the State unless upon a permission of Civil Aviation Authority. In all cases, using unmanned aircraft is prohibited as per Rules of the Air and Air Traffic set forth in this respect.”
Article 49, point 8 – Egyptian Civil Aviation Law
Last Update: November, 2012
Note on unmanned aerial means:
“Since the legislation on the importation by natural or legal persons of unmanned aerial means (among them the so-called “drones”) is subject to review and final decision, the General Customs Office of the Republic suggests and thanks passengers traveling to the country, refrain from importing this type of means as part of your baggage accompanied, unaccompanied or as shipments, in order to avoid inconvenience and unnecessary delays”.
Last update: Thursday, May 11, 2017
Drones are banned primarily since the India government was worried about them being used in potential terrorist attacks. They are also worried about them being used to spy on government installations or having operators fly them to close to airports and cause interference with aircraft.
That being said, purchasing a drone somewhere abroad and bringing it to India as the import of drones is prohibited in India. As per Section 80 of the Customs Act, 1962, goods which are prohibited can be detained. According to section 2(33) of the Customs Act, 1962, “Prohibited goods” means any goods the import or export of which is subject to any prohibition under this Act or any other law for the time being in force.
The Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Department of Commerce, Directorate General of Foreign Trade, vide Notification No. 16/2015-2020 dated 27.07.2016 (Ext.P3) has introduced policy condition for import of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)/Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAVs)/Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs)/Drones as “Restricted”.
Even as the flying of drones is banned, there are no rules or policies in place to ensure that they are operated safely. Anyone who’s 18 or older can buy one and use it, without any training on piloting them safely. Such drones are available at leading online shopping sites and in electronic markets of Delhi like Nehru Place, Palika Bazar, Gaffar Market and Karol Bagh.
Also, the police in recent months have been enforcing this law much less to allow innovation with drones in India.
“Drones have the potential to create a catalytic positive effect on major programs which government is taking up, be it smart cities, or bringing better services to citizens etc. Agriculture is a very big segment which will benefit from these technologies,” says Dinakar Devireddy, Head (Innovation Program), Cyient.
Notification No. 16 Directorate General Of Foreign Trade
1) Issuance of unique identification number (UIN):
All unmanned aircraft to be operated in India will require an Unique Identification Number (UIN) issued from the DGCA. This will be granted only to citizens of India, or a company or body that is registered and has its principal place of business in India, its chairman and 2/3rds of directors are citizens of India and its ownership and effective control is in the hands of Indian nationals.
To own a drone:
Once all these steps are complete, a user is entitled only to own a drone
To fly a drone:
2) Who requires an UA operator permit?
All drone operators operating unmanned aircraft at or above 200 feet above ground level will required a UA Operator Permit (UAOP) from the DGCA. Users with drones that operate below that level out of restricted and danger areas as well as Temporary Segregated Areas (TSA) and Temporary Reserved Areas (TRA), will be required to obtain permission from the local administration. Model aircraft operating below 200 feet in uncontrolled airspace and indoor for recreational purposes will be permitted, including activities within the premises of educational institutions.
3) Procedure for issuance of UA operator permit (UAOP):
For flying drones above 200 feet, users will have to submit an application for an UA operator permit with the DGCA with the following documents:
– Permission from either a civil or defense Air Navigation Service (ANS) provider
– Permission of the land or property owner to take off and land UA
– Details of remote piloting and training records
– Third party accidental insurance (if applicable)
– Security clearance from the Bureau of civil Aviation Security of India
This application should be submitted at least 90 days before actually flying the UA and will be valid for up to two years from the date of issue. Users will have to make sure that they follow all procedures and keep an up to date record of maintenance system. A copy of the UAOP will be forwarded to to MHA, BCAS, IAF, ANS Provider (AAI/ MoD),and Local Administration/ concerned state’s DGP/ Local ASP for information. Additional requirements can be imposed by the DGCA on a case to case basis.
The UAOP license issues will contain the following information:
– Name and location (main place of business) of the operator;
– Date of issue and period of validity;
– Scope and description of the type of operations authorized;
– Area of operation;
– Type(s) of UA authorized for use;
– Unique Identification Number (UIN) of UA;
– Special limitations, if any (e.g. not over populous areas, etc.);
– List of approved personnel for operation of UAS (security clearance of personnel will be required);
– Insurance validity with respect to all liabilities;
4) Classification of civil drones:
Civil UA are classified in accordance to their weight, although this does not seem to matter directly in the issuance of licenses. However, the DGCA’s license is based on the drone’s overall capabilities. Note that drones that fly below 200 feet do not require DGCA’s license, rather only permission from the local administration.
i) Micro : Less than two kg.
ii) Mini : Greater than two kg and less than 20 kg.
iii) Small : Greater than 20 kg and less than 150 kg.
iv) Large : Greater than 150 kg.
By this, it sounds like drones over 150kg flying under 200 feet will only require permission from the local administration, whereas drones under 2kg flying over this height will require a license.
5) Security & ownership conditions:
The drone for which a UIN is issues cannot be sold or disposed off without permission from the DGCA. In case of loss, the operator will have to immediately notify the police, BCAS and DGCA. Any accidents will have to be reported to the Director of Air Safety, DGCA and BCAS within 24 hours as well.
6) Flying conditions:
– Pilots will be required to be a minimum of 18 years old, and should have training equivalent to that undertaken by aircrew of manned aircraft or a private pilot’s license holder for aeroplanes or helicopters with FRTOL (Flight Radio Telephone Operator’s Licence). This is applicable only to drones flying above 200 feet, and not for pilots included in recreational flying.
– Remote operators will also not fly an UA unless they are reasonably sure that all control systems of the UA including the radio link are in working condition.
– Irrespective of weight category, the UAS operator shall inform Local Administration, ATS unit (for operations at or above 200ft in uncontrolled airspace), BCAS, Aerodrome operator (if applicable) before commencement and after termination of operation. In the event of cancellation of UA operations, the operator shall notify all appropriate authorities.
– The flight plan will be required to provide information including the description of the intended operation, flight rules, visual line-of-sight operation, date of intended flight(s), point of departure, destination, cruising speed(s), cruising level(s), route to be followed and duration/frequency of flight among other details.
– The UAS operator shall not launch the UA when rain/ thunderstorm warning is in force.
– The operator shall ensure that the UA is flown within 500m Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) during the entire period of the flight (applicable only for micro and mini UAV).
– UA shall not discharge or drop substances unless specially cleared and mentioned in UAOP. It will also be required to have a return home option in case of communication failure, and third party insurance in case of damage during accidents.
India’s draft drone policy: registration, operator license, flying conditions & more
Updated: May 26th, 2016
Last Update: July 27th, 2016
Iran has banned privately-owned drones from flying over Tehran after at least two devices were shot at in recent weeks over security fears.
Licences will now only be granted to “relevant bodies and not individuals”, military officials said.
The unmanned aerial devices have caused several security scares after approaching sensitive areas.
Drones have become increasingly popular in Tehran, but have angered locals who believe they infringe their privacy.
“These quadcopters are equipped with cameras and can fly over sensitive sites, film them and be exploited by the enemy,” said deputy commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Ali Reza Rabi’i.
“As flying objects, especially those of heli-shots [drones equipped with cameras]… they can pose a threat,” the commander said, according to the Tasnim news agency.
Last update: February 20th, 2017
Due to several incidents caused by amateurs and even by professionals including the only official dealer in Morocco, it is now forbidden to import drones and this with strict governmental guidelines on the matter: Anyone who orders drones by postal routes (eg : DHL / TNT / FEDEX) will have them confiscated.
For foreigners who arrive by air or roads with their civil drones, they will have them confiscated until their departure in their respective countries. Except for Special Cases or timely State Intervention, import is definitely forbidden to date pending regulations and hopefully rules to come.
Regarding the Socio-professional who would like to use a Drone for filming in Morocco, they will have to use a local Moroccan production company, or check the Foreigners Department recently added to our section Administrations. That said, authorisations are frozen for the time being.
The CCM (Centre Cinematographique Marocain) will soon publish a list of Moroccan productions companies able to outsource civilian drones, types of models available and skills of everyone in this field. Only the Civil Aviation or DTA (Department du Transport Aerien) is fit to provide this valuable document but we know for sure that until now no authorization was issued by this state institution.
Last Update: December, 2015
The Nicaraguan Institute of Civil Aeronautics informs the civil, military and population authorities in general that this authority uses its powers to control the Nicaraguan airspace, in order to make it safer, more orderly and efficient, and in compliance with the provisions granted by Law 595 and the International Standards for Civil Aviation, makes it known:
That it is forbidden to use unmanned equipment (drone) in the national territory that operates at a height greater than 100 feet in height with 30 horizontal meters of displacement since they expose the danger to aviation by becoming an obstacle in space aerial.
We alert the population not to use these types of equipment to avoid accidents since we have operating civil, military and civil aviation helicopters nationally and internationally throughout the national territory.
Last update: November 28, 2014
Last update: December 26th, 2016
The GACA currently does not permit the unregulated activity involving UAS due to the potential hazards they could pose to other aircraft and to the civilian population. GACA would allow and authorize certain civil operations of UAS on a case by case basis only when comply with requirements shown Subpart F of GACAR Part 101.
The following are examples of possible small UAS operations that could be authorized by the President:
Last update: May 15th, 2016
Civil Aviation Authority Public Relations Manager Sepiso Zimba says this has been prompted by a huge challenge that drones pose to the safety and security of aircraft.Ms Zimba says the challenge is compounded by the fact that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has not yet developed regulations that can enable safe use of drones.She says ICAO has only developed general guidance on use of drones which are not sufficient to the safety and security of aircraft.Zambia Drone UseLast update: June 2017
