UPDATED 07/06/2017: Now featuring regulations from Ireland

Drones are becoming increasingly regulated across the world as both governmental and independent aviation
authorities are waking up to the size of the growing demand. While currently there is little in the way of actual
concrete laws governing the use of drones (although this wont be the case for long), there are plenty of
guidelines and enforceable restrictions its worth being aware of.

Many drone users are beginning to take their aircraft abroad with them to capture some truly spectacular
footage in exotic locations. While this is a great way to practice your aerial filmmaking and make your friends
back home jealous, you must always be aware of the rules which are in place for each country.

With summer holiday season rapidly approaching, weve decided to focus on some of the most drone savvy
countries on each continent to give you an idea of the state of legislation on a global scale.

So without further ado, heres Heliguys guide to how drones are regulated around the world as of 2016.

Use the following links to navigate this page:

Europe
Africa
Asia
The Americas
Oceania
Summary
Training with Heliguy

Europe
As with the majority of technological advances, Europe has been quick to realise the potential of drones. While
the severity of regulations differs from country to country, its safe to assume that as long as youre aware of the
legislation in place and ensure you follow the available guidelines, you shouldnt run into too many problems.

UK

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)

When piloting a drone in the UK there are rules you need to be aware of to ensure your own safety and that of
others.

A collection of guidelines governing how to responsibly fly drones in the UK has been drawn up by the CAA.
Known as the Dronecode, it states that UAVs must:
 Be visible at all times
Remain below 400ft
Not be flown over congested areas

In addition, when a drone is fitted with a camera, they recommend that:

They should not be flown within 50m of people, vehicles or buildings

Pilots must also be mindful of privacy when taking pictures
Those using a drone to make money, e.g. for aerial photography, must get permission from the CAA and
complete a training programme to demonstrate their competence with the craft

Currently, you must obtain CAA permission if any of the following criteria apply:

You intend to operate a drone which is 20-150kg

You are going to make money from using the drone

Commercial drone operators in the UK also need to observe Regulation EC785/2004 on Insurance
Requirements for Air Carriers and Aircraft Operators.

There is a risk of prosecution for those who fail to adhere to these rules, however they arent set in stone. Its
possible to apply for PfCO (Permissions for Commercial Operation) which allow you to operate commercially
and request exceptions to the guidelines be made for your flights.

While the CAA dont license people themselves, they approve other providers to do so for them. For more
information about CAA approved courses, visit our drone training page to find out how you can get accredited
through Heliguy.

Ireland
 The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA)

Here are the drone regulations pertaining to their use in Ireland as stipulated by their aviation authority the IAA.
Aside from the usual restrictions, its also worth noting that there is a mandatory registration process, the
criteria of which is explained below.

Drones weighing 1kg or more and less than 25 kg, without fuel but including any articles or equipment
installed in or attached to the aircraft and including cargo at the start of its flight, must be registered
Unmanned aircraft of 25 kg or more, are subject to the Irish Aviation Authority (Nationality and
Registration of Aircraft) Order, 2015, and must be registered in a similar manner to manned aircraft
The pilot must keep their drone within their line of sight
Drone flights are capped at 400ft upwards and 300ft outwards without additional permissions
No flights must take place within 30m of a person, vehicle or structure beyond the pilots control
Never fly over densely populated areas (i.e. cities and towns) as well as large groups of people and
events
You must have permission from the landowner before takeoff and landing
Keep out of restricted airspace and critical infrastructures such as power stations and military bases
Ensure you fly safely and never recklessly endanger people or property

The majority of these regulations will be familiar as they follow the model of the successful CAA Dronecode,
however, its interesting that Ireland has opted for regulation which is becoming more commonplace as drones
enter the mainstream consciousness of consumers as well as larger businesses.

France
 Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGAC)

See below for the rules laid out by the French aviation authority which apply both to French citizens and anyone
looking to visit the country with their drone.

Maintain a safe distance from people and vehicles and never fly over crowds
Keep the drone below 500ft at all times and retain your line of sight
Dont fly unmanned aircraft near to airfields, ensure you are at least 5km away (15km for larger
aerodromes)
No flying over strategic sites such a power plants, national monuments or military bases without
receiving prior permission
French regulations prohibit flying drones at night
Dont use the drones camera to record people/vehicles without consent and never store or distribute
footage without the subjects explicit agreement

While the DGAC have implemented the above rules as well as classifications of aircraft which runs from A to
G based on mass, the rules on commercial use are still in development. Aside from meeting safety criteria and
displaying a valid business reason, there isnt a lot stopping businesses operating drones in France.

Germany
 Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA)

The below restrictions apply to the operation of unmanned aircraft under the German Aviation Act:

Recreational drone users must apply for a permit if their craft weighs more than 5kg, drones weighing
less than 5kg are subject to no specific aviation legal requirements
The drone must remain within visual range of the pilot, e.g. at a maximum distance of 200 300m.
Some areas restrict the height of such flights to between 30 and 100m (its always best to check with
local authorities before flying).
A minimum distance of 1.5km from aerodromes must be observed
Be wary that no-fly zones are in effect within the government district in Berlin
Flying above military installations, power plants, industrial zones, accident scenes and large crowds
require official permissions

There are separate regulations in place for those looking to operate as a commercial drone pilot in Germany:

Piloting commercial drones up to 5kg requires a flight permit from the local authority whilst unmanned
drones weighing over 25kg are not permitted for use
The pre-requisites for obtaining a flight permit are proof of insurance (your best bet is a policy offered
by model aircraft associations), proof of training and well the technical details concerning the drones to
be used
For each drone over 5kg, individual permits are required

Italy

Ente Nazionale Per lAviazione Civile (ENAC)

The Italian aviation authority, ENAC, has been developing a series of strict rules concerning the governance of
drones. See below to find out what to expect if you intend to capture some aerial shots of Italy.

The maximum flying height permitted is 230ft

Dont fly your drone further than 490ft horizontally or out of visual line of sight
Never carry dangerous goods on your drone
You may not fly your drone over densely populated areas, crowds, beaches, national parks, railways,
highways or industrial plants
Stay at least 8km away from aerodromes
You are only allowed to fly your drone during the day
Drones must weigh under 25kg to be permitted to fly
You must keep the craft 50m away from people or property not directly under your control
You must carry third party insurance

For any commercial activity, you must be granted permission from ENAC especially if your intended use of
drones contravenes one of the above guidelines.

Russia

The Federal Air Transport Agency (FATA)

Russia has recently undergone a regulatory overhaul with regards to drones. Many are calling it similar to that
the FAA carried out in the U.S. which went into effect in late August 2016. The main rules for drone users in
Russia are:

You are required to register any drone with a weight of over 0.55lb with FATA
A pilot and an observer are necessary for every flight. This is to ensure that the flight is properly
monitored
You must have the correct third party insurance cover in place before flying
 A flight plan must be created and submitted to FATA prior to each flight. This plan must detail the
model of the drone being used, your purpose for flying as well as both the planned time and location
Do not fly over people who arent involved in the flight, especially large crowds
Respect the privacy of others when flying
It is prohibited to fly over military bases, power stations, or any locations that may cause issues for local
authorities
You must fly during the day and only in appropriate weather conditions with good visibility
Dont operate your drone near airports, or in any close proximity to manned aircraft

It will be interesting to see what effect these regulation have on the Russian drone economy and how widely
accepted commercial usage becomes, not to mention whether it is supported by the government and FATA.

Spain

Direccin General de Aviacin Civil (DGAC)

Spain has been classified as one of the more strict countries when it comes to operating drones in their airspace.
While we always recommend you contact each individual aviation authority to ensure you have all the
information you need here are the basics to get you started:

Aircraft up to 25 kg (55 pounds) fully loaded are permitted

A certificate of airworthiness is required
Flights must take place in clear conditions
No flying over congested areas or in controlled airspace
Within the visual range of the pilot, no further away than 500m and no higher than 400 feet

To operate professionally in Spain you need to be in possession of the following:

Certification for professional users i.e. a pilot license authorised by the EASA or the Spanish ATO.
 A medical certificate
An up to date Operations Manual
Valid insurance
You must also be over 18 years old

Mostly in line with similar EASA governed areas, Spain has taken it upon itself to tighten up its regulations.
This isnt a problem for responsible users, however, and will hopefully promote safer flying.

Sweden

Transport Styrelsen (TS)

Much has been said of Swedens decision to clamp down on camera drones in their tightening legislation on
surveillance. Aside from these, however, the regulations will be familiar to any regular drone user.

Flights must remain no more than 500m away from the operator or 400ft upwards
You must retain visual line of sight
Do not disturb others with your drone
Do not fly over congested areas
Do not fly in restricted airspace
You must receive permissions to fly a drone with a camera due to surveillance laws
Permissions must be requested for commercial work, research and aerial imagery

As their rules are still in a state of flux, its highly recommended that you contact the aviation authority before
your trip to ensure youre following the law to the letter.

Finland
 Trafi aka Finnish Transport Safety Authority (FTSA)

There are a couple of interesting quirks to Finlands drone laws such as the stipulation that you must affix
personal details to the aircraft but apart from this, the rules are fairly standard.

The Finnish Transport Safety Agency must be informed of: operator details, aircraft information,
intended operational scope
Minimise risk to persons, property and to maintain low levels of noise
You have to be over 18 to pilot a drone
Attach your personal information to the aircraft
Never interfere with the work of emergency service responders
Flights must remain no more than 500m away from the operator or 400ft upwards
Dont fly in poor weather conditions
Never fly your drone higher than 50m near airports

If you intend to fly your drone in Finland, as the regulations suggest, its best to inform FTSA of your intentions
to avoid any unnecessary trouble from the authorities.

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Africa
Africa has seen some of the most interesting advances in terms of drone use cases over the past few months
with trials including the delivery of medical supplies and essentials to rural communities starting to get off the
ground. The severity of regulations differs across the continent, here are three examples of the approach
Africans are taking towards legislation.

Kenya

Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA)

The KCAA is in the process of implementing a system which will require the registration of all drones being
used in Kenya. Their reasoning is that this will increase safety and accountability as unmanned aircraft become
increasingly popular. The main rules for drone users in Kenya are:
 Kenyan citizens above the age of 18 are eligible to fly drones
Drone pilots (whether commercial or recreational) must apply for RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft
Systems) Operating Certificates which are issued by KCAA
You must have the correct third party insurance cover in place before flying
Drone operators are responsible for the safety and security of their business operations including the
location, people and necessary equipment
Recreational use of drones is limited to a maximum height of 400ft above ground level whilst
commercial usage is permitted at heights specified by the KCAA on a case by case basis
Flying at night or in poor visibility is prohibited
All incidents and accidents must be reported directly to the KCAA
No drone flights are permitted within 10km of any airfield except with the written permission of the
owner and approval from the KCAA
Air traffic control must be made aware of any operations which are likely to affect manned aircraft.

The above regulations are taken immensely seriously by the KCAA and include the provision to impose fines
and jail terms for anyone who violates the rules.

South Africa

South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)

South Africa have two sets of guidelines referring to both recreational and commercial usage of unmanned
aircraft. The first set refers to Hobby Drone Users:

No requirements to apply for an RPL (Remote Pilots Licence) or register the drone
Drones up to 7kg are fine to fly
Night flying is permitted
The maximum permissible flying height is of 400ft
Drone pilots can fly their craft to distances of 500m horizontally but must retain line of sight
Flights must take place at a distance of at least 50m from people, roads and structures
Any recreational drone activity must remain at least 10km from aerodromes
Be wary of no-fly zones such as power plants, national monuments, crime scenes and prisons
There are currently five licensing requirements to operate a drone commercially in South Africa. You must be
in possession of:

A registered drone (on SACAAs records)

A Remote Pilot Licence (only necessary for the pilot)
An Air Services Licence (from Department of Transport)
A Letter of Approval (for each drone to be used for commercial purposes)
A Remote Operator Certificate (this must include an approved Operations Manual)

These clearly defined guidelines are a great example of how to successfully regulate drones in a way that is fair
to pilots but also restricts opportunities for reckless flying.

Zimbabwe

Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ)

May 2016 saw the release of a new set of guidelines concerning drone usage in Zimbabwe. Below are the main
points from the CAAZs drone regulations:

Before piloting a drone, you must have a valid, CAAZ-issued license

Drones must be in good working order before flights
Strictly no night flying or flights when weather conditions are poor
The drone must remain in the pilots line of sight
Never take off from a road, fly along a road, or fly within 30m of a road
Never fly drones in controlled airspaces
Pilots must not deliver or drop items from drones or carry dangerous goods
No drugs or alcohol are to be consumed within 8 hours of flying a drone, or while flying it
 Pilots mustnt fly multiple drones in a formation or perform tricks in the air
The maximum flying height is capped at 400ft above ground level and flight must take place at least
5.5km away from an aerodrome
No-fly-zones are in effect over prisons, police stations, law courts and strategic installations
Never fly a drone above or within 30m of people or buildings unless you have permission

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Asia

Globally recognised as leaders in drone manufacture (most notably in China), theres a great deal of familiarity
with unmanned aircraft in the region. With countries such as Japan frequently held up as advanced tech hubs
and the growing wealth of nations such as Singapore, theres plenty of demand for the latest gadgets and more
specifically, drones.

Japan
 Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB)

Japan has embraced drone technology but also seeks to strictly regulate its use. Talks are underway to expand
their existing restrictions but here are the main points as they currently stand:

The maximum flying height is 492ft from ground level

Drone flights must be carried out at least 9km away from aerodromes
It is not permitted to fly drones overcrowded areas or live power lines
Drones are prohibited from flying over any roads
Flying over any property without the owners consent isnt permitted
Drones must be flown during the day
Transporting or dropping goods from drones is prohibited
Osaka and Tokyo have banned drone use in all parks within the city limits
No-fly-zones are in effect over the Prime Ministers office, the Imperial Palace, all aerodromes and
facilities such as power plants

If these restrictions arent adhered to, the offending drone pilot is liable to receive a fine of up to 500,000 yen.
However, the above rules are not applied to drones undertaking search and rescue operations or aiding in the
case of accidents and disasters.

Singapore
 Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (KOCA)

Here are the regulations currently in effect for drone pilots in Singapore:

Pilots must retain visual line of sight

Flights must take place in favourable weather conditions with good visibility
The maximum flying height is capped at 200ft
Drones mustnt be operated within 5km of aerodromes
When flying, a sufficient distance must be kept between the drone and any people or buildings,
especially in congested urban areas

If youre looking to use commercially in Singapore be aware that you require an Operator Permit from the
CAAS as well as an Activity Permit which outlines your intended task and the equipment you will be using.

China

Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC)

Since the beginning of 2016, China has rapidly implemented restrictions (after an admittedly slow start) on the
use of drones. The home of such manufacturing titans as DJI and Yuneec has begun to identify the potential of
the consumer drone market and also the hazards of leaving their skies unregulated.

All drones under 7kg are permitted to be flown in China

If a craft weighs 7 116kg a license from CAAC is required
Any drone weighing over 116kg requires a pilots license and UAV certification for operation
Drone flights in controlled areas require approval in advance
Approval from CAAC is needed for all commercial drone flights
Avoid flying near aerodromes and flight paths and exercise caution when flying over built up areas or
over people

Surprisingly, Chinas approach is less restrictive than some other countries most probably due to the fact that,
as previously mentioned, they are currently the world leaders in consumer drone manufacture.

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The Americas
One of the most advanced regions in the world, The Americas (most notably North America) are often held up
as leaders in, amongst other areas, technology. So it should no surprise that drones have taken off across the
Atlantic, from Canada all the way down to Brazil, the uptake has been swift and it shows no signs of slowing.

USA

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Despite the USAs reputation as a centre for innovation, there are still issues present with the way that drones
are regulated. The FAA has recently released Part 107 aimed at clarifying their position on the recreational
usage of drones.

Below are the concrete restrictions that apply to hobbyist usage:

Drones weighing up to 55lbs are permitted for recreational use

Any drone weighing more than 0.55lbs must be registered with the FAA
Maximum flight elevation of 400ft above ground level
Pilots must be aged 16 or above
Minimum weather visibility of three miles from control station
Unmanned craft must remain in the pilots line of sight
Drones must yield right of way to all other aircraft
Drones are not allowed within 9km of aerodromes without permission
Washington has been established as a no-fly-zone and other state authorities are free to establish their
own no-drone zones

If you want to operate commercially in the USA, you need to apply to the FAA for a Section 333 Exemption
which allows regulated commercial activity such as aerial photography to be carried out by drone pilots. See
below for the FAAs explanation of this exemption:
The Section 333 Exemption process provides operators who wish to pursue safe and legal entry into the
NAS a competitive advantage in the UAS marketplace, thus discouraging illegal operations and improving
safety.

Canada

Transport Canada (TC)

Canada has taken increased steps towards regulation recently due to the interference of irresponsible drone
users around forest fires. That being said, they are mostly common sense policies which arent overly restrictive
to drone pilots:

Drones must be flown during the day and in good weather conditions
Visual line of sight must be maintained
Pilots must avoid flying over private property where possible
Flights must take place 9km from aerodromes
Maximum altitude is capped at 300ft above ground level
Keep a distance of 500ft from people, animals, structures, roads or vehicles
Pilots mustnt fly over large crowds
Dont enter restricted and controlled airspace e.g. military bases, prisons or forest fires

That covers the rules for recreational users, however, if the craft weighs more than 35kg or you intend to
operate commercially, you require a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC).

Brazil
 Agncia Nacional de Aviao Civil (ANAC)

With the Rio Olympics drawing near, Brazil is following in the footsteps of London during Obamas visit and
Frances tightened restrictions around UEFA by preventing drones from flying in public spaces without special
permissions. If you were to visit any other time, however, here are the restrictions to be aware of:

Visual line of sight must be maintained

The maximum flying height is capped at 400ft above ground level unless youre in a congested urban
area when it reduced to 200ft
A license is required if you want to fly above the 400ft limit
The minimum age to operate an unmanned vehicle is 18
Ensure the craft is 30m from people, buildings and crowds unless consent is given
Pilots must ensure they have valid insurance

There is currently no mandatory registration for drone pilots in Brazil and although they have taken steps to
implement regulations for drone use, theres still a pretty lax attitude towards unmanned aircraft.

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Oceania
One of the most proactive continents when it comes to drone regulation, Oceania has seen legislation passed as
early as 2002. With countries such as Australia and New Zealand drawing in massive amounts of tourism based
on their spectacular scenery, its no surprise that theyre popular settings for aerial footage.

Australia

Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)

Having been one of the earliest countries to implement sensible drone regulations, Australias guidelines are
some of the most straightforward youll find, which is a good thing for such a popular tourist destination.

Here are the restrictions which apply to recreational drone flights:

 Aircraft must remain below 400ft
Pilots must ensure they stay within uncontrolled airspace
Flights must take place at least 5.5km from an aerodrome
Unmanned aircraft must remain 30m people not involved with the flight
Drones are prohibited in populous areas
Visual line of sight must be maintained

Any commercial flights require that both the pilot and the business which is conducting the operation are
certified. The pilot must have a UAV Controllers Certificate and the business must be in possession of a
UAV Operators Certificate.

New Zealand

Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (NZCAA)

New Zealand is an immensely popular tourist destination so its no surprise that people would flock there to get
some stellar drone footage. In response to the rise in drone usage, the NZCAA have implemented the following
12 Key Rules:

Do not operate an aircraft 25kg or larger and always check that its safe to fly prior to use
Make every possible effort to minimise danger to people, property, and other aircraft
You may only operate your unmanned aircraft in daylight
It is essential that drone pilots give way to manned aircraft
You must be able to see the drone with your own eyes without the aid of binoculars etc. to ensure a safe
distance from other aircraft (in certain cases it is permissible to use an observer)
Pilots should display knowledge of any airspace restrictions which currently apply in their desired flight
location
No flights are to take place within 4km of any aerodrome (unless exemptions are granted)
Never exceed 400ft above ground level (unless exemptions are granted)
If youre operating controlled airspace, you must obtain air traffic control clearance
Do not fly in special use airspace (e.g. military bases, power plants) without the permission of the
necessary authority
You must receive consent from anyone you intend to fly above
The consent of the property owner is required you are wanting to fly above private land.
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Summary
Its clear that regulations are stepping up to meet the rapid advances in the global drone market. Countries
across the world are independently implementing restrictions (some more restrictive than others), attempting to
find the right balance between supporting the progress made possible by drones but also ensure that
irresponsible users face the appropriate legal action.

However, if youre a competent drone pilot, do your research thoroughly and contact local authorities before
embarking on an aerial shoot abroad, its unlikely that youre going to run into too many problems.

Please Note: The guidelines featured in this article arent exhaustive and Heliguy recommends that you always
check with each individual countrys aviation authority before conducting any drone activity whether
commercial or recreational.

Training with Heliguy

As well as supplying a wide range of drones from both DJI and Freefly, Heliguy is dedicated to being a one-
stop-shop for all of your drone needs.
With years of experience in selling, repairing, building and training pilots, we are in the position to offer our
trainees an unparalleled experience. We will guide and support you through every step on your pathway to
commercial permissions from the first day of ground school to passing your practical flight test.

Our CAA approved training ensures that youre fully accredited to perform commercial work with your drone.

To find out more about what we have to offer, visit our training site or contact our team at 0191 296 1024 or
email info@heliguy.com

Keep checking back to Heliguy Insider for more insights into the increasing regulation of unmanned aircraft
and, of course, the latest news from the drone industry.

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Resumen de la nueva ley de drones en USA

Limitaciones operacionales

Normas de seguridad para drones de 25 kilos o menos.

Limitacin de vuelos con drones a la luz del da y al atardecer.
Limitacin de uso de drones en reas especficas para su funcionamiento
Zonas para la realizacin operaciones con una visibilidad directa y clara.
Novedades en restriccin del espacio areo, la certificacin del piloto, los requisitos para los
observadores visuales.
Lmites de vuelo para que stos no supongan una amenaza para la seguridad nacional.
El piloto y los mandos para el uso de los drones tambin estn obligados a permanecer dentro del
campo de visin (VLOS).
El dron debe permanecer lo suficientemente cerca sin que deba el piloto ayudarse con lentes o
prismticos para poder vislumbrarlo.
El dron no debe sobrevolar a otra persona que sea ajena a dicho trabajo.
Utilizacin de drones en un espacio cubierto o cerrado.
Prohibido su uso dentro de un vehculo.
Debe ceder el paso a otras aeronaves al toparse con ellas en el aire.
No debe ser usado para atacar y chocarse contra otros drones.
No volar un dron a ms de 160 kilmetros por hora.
Altura mxima para volar drones sobre el suelo de 12 metros.
Visibilidad sobre la zona de control de, como mximo, 4,8 kilmetros.
Incompatibilidad de que ningn piloto de aviones puede hacer uso de ms de un dron a la vez.
Obligatoriedad de realizar una inspeccin del estado del dron antes de utilizarlo.
Restriccin en el uso de drones a personas con problemas fsicos o mentales que puedan interferir en un
vuelo seguro.
Prohibido uso de drones para transportar materiales peligrosos o se realicen a propsito operaciones
imprudentes y negligentes.
Para los drones de marcas registradas en el extranjero se les permite operar bajo el RAD 107, si
cumplen los requisitos especficos
Las operaciones de carga externa en drones se permiten solo si sta est transportada de forma segura y
no afecta a la seguridad y la calidad del vuelo.
 Restricciones renunciables si el solicitante demuestra que su operacin con drones puede ser realizado
bajo los trminos de un certificado de exencin.
Especial atencin para regular el papel de los pilotos de drones.
Es obligado que los pilotos de drones tengan una licencia para volar drones que se pueden conseguir
mediante un curso de drones en una escuela debidamente certificada para ello.
Superar para ello ciertos conocimientos aeronuticos.
Aprobarlas en un centro homologado por la FAA donde primarn materias relativas a la seguridad
Y ser mayor de 16 aos.
Se trata de una reglamentacin para los EEUU hasta que se desarrollen las normas internacionales.
Los drones en EEUU deben pasar pruebas de inspeccin.
Posesin debe estar puesta a disposicin de la FAA.
Si ocurriera algn accidente con un dron, se tiene 10 das para comunicarlo con la FAA, exceptuando
los casos ms graves que deben ser comunicados al instante.