Filming with drones is all the rage these days. Fun as it might be for amateur pilots, there are some places in South Africa where you're not allowed to take flight. Recently, a rogue drone caused havoc over in the United Kingdom causing severe delays at Gatwick airport in London.
Back on home turf, we've not quite had such levels of drama, but that doesn't mean there aren't rules. Some of the no drone zones are more obvious: military keypoints, courts, prisons and other national key points, but other rules are a bit more complicated.
The Western Cape Government recently published a comprehensive list of no-fly zones, detailing what you can and can't do.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority's (SACAA) has laws for Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) that covers where you can and can't fly a drone, as well as rules around licensing.
What South Africa's regulations say about flying a drone When flying a drone, it is important to ensure the safety of everyone in the vicinity you're flying. Also consider the privacy of your neighbours and the safety of their property.
The SACAA prohibits flying a Remotely Piloted Aircraft, or toy aircraft 50 m or closer from:
Any person or group of persons (like a sports field, road races, schools, social events, etc.)
Any property without permission from the property owner.
Unless authorised by the SACAA, you can't fly/operate Remotely Piloted Aircraft or toy aircraft
near a manned aircraft,
10 km or closer to an aerodrome (airport, helipad, airfield),
that weighs more than 7 kg,
in controlled airspace,
in restricted airspace, or
in prohibited airspace.
Don't fly/operate Remotely Piloted Aircraft, or toy aircraft higher than 45 metres from the ground, unless approved by the Director of Civil Aviation of the SACAA.
When you should get a licence for your drone If you are flying a drone as a hobby (personal and private use) then a license is not required, however you still have to follow the South African Civil Aviation Authority's (SACAA) regulations on Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS).
If you would like to obtain a license from the SACAA to fly commercially, you will be required to obtain aviation training at an approved training organisation (ATO).
The following requirements are compulsory when applying for a pilot license:
An applicant should not be less than 18 years of age
Applicants must hold current medical assessments
An ATO for training must be identified
Foreign theoretical training will be approved and validated (ASK)
Only successful completion will be accepted
Applicants must pass the RPL practical assessment
Applicants must also pass Radiotelephony Examination
Achieved English Language Proficiency (ELP) level 4 or higher.
All applications must be submitted to the SACAA.
South Africa's no-fly drone zones
a nuclear power plant
a prison
a police station
a crime scene
a court of law
national key points
military zones;
aerodromes;
airports;
helipads;
a nuclear power plant;
a prison;
a police station;
a crime scene;
a court of law;
national key points;
national parks and protected/conservation areas.
A map showing where you're not allowed to fly drones in South Africa For more about licensing visit SACAA.
If you've got dreams of having your online shopping or takeaway delivered by drone, you might have to wait a little while longer.
Tags: South Africa
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Filming with drones is all the rage these days. Fun as it might be for amateur pilots, there are some places in South Africa where you're not allowed to take flight. Recently, a rogue drone caused havoc over in the United Kingdom causing severe delays at Gatwick airport in London.
