While drone sales are skyrocketing, few buyers know that a drone is actually classified as an aircraft, and therefore require a barrage of SA Civil Aviation Authority regulations to be met.

Privately, remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), may only be used for an individual’s personal and private purposes where there is no commercial outcome.

The RPAS may only be operated over property for which the operator has ownership or permission.

The RPAS can only be used in Restricted Visual Line of Sight which means within 500 m of the pilot, and never to exceed the height of the highest obstacle within 300 m of the pilot, during which the pilot can maintain direct unaided visual contact with the device to manage its flight and collision avoidance.

The pilot must also observe all statutory requirements relating to liability, privacy and any other laws enforceable by any other authorities.

For commercial operations, must have the following approvals: RPAS Certificate of Registration, RPAS Letter of Approval, RPAS Operator Certificate, RPAS Training Organisation and Air Services Licence.

The RPAS Certificate of Registration, RPAS Letter of Approval, and RPAS Operator Certificate are issued by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA).

The Air Services Licence is issued by the Department of Transport’s Air Service Licensing Council. In addition to the approvals outlined above, all pilots flying the aircraft must have a valid Remote Pilot Licence (RPL).

The RPL is also issued by the Civil Aviation regulations.

No person shall operate an RPAS unless that person has been issued with a valid remote pilot’s licence.

Regulations further prohibit the flying of an RPAS directly overhead any person or group of people, or within a lateral distance of 50 metres from any person, structure or building.

An RPAS may not be flown into any property without the permission of the property owner. An RPAS pilot must observe all statutory requirements relating to liability, privacy and any other laws enforceable by any other State entities.

The Authority has the means and capacity to enforce RPAS regulations and will not hesitate to take enforcement action where necessary.

We work closely with the national security cluster to ensure that appropriate action is taken against individuals who transgress civil aviation regulations.

Failure to adhere to civil aviation regulations could result in a 10-year prison sentence or a fine of R50 000, or both.

Retailers need to note that no RPAS shall be sold unless the seller has notified the buyer of the operational requirements as imposed by the SACAA.

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