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The New Drone Rules In South Africa

The New Drone Rules In South Africa

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Not long after drones started buzzing around South Africa, the country became one of the first in the world to formulate detailed regulations governing the use of the technology. As recently as late 2014 the Civil Aviation Authority still deemed the use of drones illegal, and by July 2015, the flying computers inspired an article on Qz.com entitled, “In South Africa It’s Now Easier To Play With Drones Than It Is To Make Money With Them.” So let’s take a look at South Africa’s new rules on drone use.

Sources: Businesstech.co.za, 24news.com, Safedrone.co.za

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Age limit

Consumers must be 18 to buy a drone but anyone that age can get one, without any sort of license or training. Businesstech.co.za adds that there is no requirement to have a drone registered if it is for private use.

Photo: eandt.theiet.org
Photo: eandt.theiet.org

Distance thresholds

Drones that are for private use (that means they have no commercial interest) cannot get closer than 150 feet above the ground of public or school properties. The drone also cannot go more than 500 meters from its operator, or “higher than any obstacle within 300 meters from the pilot” says Businesstech.co.za.

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Commercial use and registration

Should a drone user want to use his device for commercial purposes, he will have to register it with the South African Civil Aviation Authority and get a pilot’s license. Businesstech.co.za says the license, “requires medical certification, certification of radiotelephony, English proficiency, flight training, and passing both a theoretical examination and skills test.” The license must be renewed every 24 months.

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Pexels.com

Logbooks

All drone users who pursue commercial endeavors will need to keep a pilot’s log book in which they keep a detailed account of each flight. For each flight, a pilot must do certain things like always have, at least, “10% surplus fuel reserve,” says Businesstech.co.za.

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Thinkstock

Special zoning restrictions

In addition to never going below 150 feet above ground, drones must comply with certain zoning restrictions. News24.com reports that drones cannot fly, “Adjacent to or above” the following: a nuclear power plant, a prison, a police station, a crime scene, a court of law and national key points. They must also stay at least 50 meters away from all people, roads or buildings.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Visual contact with drones

The rules require all drone users to maintain visual contact with their drone at all times. For the aforementioned reason, News24.com reports that it is forbidden to use a drone in adverse weather conditions. Some pilots who have been approved for special licenses are excempt from this rule.

Youtube/CCTVAfrica
Youtube/CCTVAfrica

Drone accidents

Just like people must report car accidents, drone pilots must report all drone accidents. News24.com says this is especially true when the incident caused “Any injury to a person; damage to property; or destruction of the RPA beyond commercial repair.

Nelson Mandela Bridge, Johannesburg, South Africa Thinkstock
Nelson Mandela Bridge, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Night flights

Commercial drones must be approved for night flights. According to Safedrone.co.za drone pilots who wish to fly at night must install strobe lights and navigation lights on their device.

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Thinkstock

Items on board

Commercial drone pilots must at all times have the following on board: a first aid kid, a handheld fire extinguisher, and a handheld air radio. Safedrone.co.za adds that commercial drone operators must get a restricted radio license.

Getty
Getty

Weight limits

Drones can carry items, but there is a limit to how much they can carry. Safedrone.co.za says personal use drones cannot carry over 7kg and commercial use drones cannot exceed 20kg.

Securing the future of drone journalism in Africa YouTube
Securing the future of drone journalism in Africa YouTube

Landing and takeoff

Commercial drone owners, especially those that offer delivery services, will naturally land in some public areas. But according to Enca.com personal use drones may not take off or land on any public road.

Photo: traveller24.news
Photo: traveller24.news

Flying together

Drones have to fly solo. Enca.com states that drones cannot “fly in a formation or swarm.”