Regulation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) involves setting safety requirements, outlining regulations for the safe flying of drones, and enforcing action against errant users.
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles or drones, is generally regulated by the civil aviation authority of the country. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) began exploring the use of drone technology in 2005, which resulted in a 2011 report. Ireland was the first country to set a national framework aided by the report and larger aviation bodies such as the FAA and the EASA quickly followed suit, which eventually led to influential regulations in the United States and Europe. , several countries are working on new regulations, ranging from BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight, or BLOS) operations to unmanned traffic management (UTM) activities, which include the United States, the Europe Union, India, South Korea, Japan, and Australia among others.
Certification aspects One of the main barriers to the rapid full-scale growth of commercial unmanned aircraft is the concern for safety. As myriad certification agencies attempt to keep up with the unique demands of the fast-growing industry, pertinent certification standards for manned aircraft are starting to apply. For the electronics that provide communication and control of the systems, this means a move towards compliance with DO-178C and DO-254 for software and hardware development.
In most cases, unmanned aircraft (UA) can only be operated as part of a system, hence the term “unmanned aircraft system” (UAS). The UAS consists of an UA, a remote pilot station, and the command, control, and communications links that join them; safety considerations address all of these elements.
In 2011, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) of the United Nations published Circular 328, which states that a UAS should demonstrate equivalent levels of safety as manned aircraft and thus meet relevant government rules for flight and flight equipment. The ICAO further distinguishes between autonomous aircraft and remotely-piloted aircraft (RPA), and anticipates that only RPA "will be able to integrate into the international civil aviation system in the foreseeable future".
2021 was an influential year for drone regulation for the drone industry given the regulations that would enter into force. Starting on December 31, 2020, the unmanned aircraft regulation in the European Union whereby the first step for a drone operator/ remote pilot would be to register in the country in which they live, or have their main place of business. EASA also issued guidelines for the management of drone incidents at airports, and new rules for air traffic management. Meanwhile, the FAA announced new rules for remote identification and operations over people.
By country or region The European Union sees benefits and challenges for civilian drones, and in 2014 proposed a set of regulations to control the effects of drones on peoples' safety, security, and privacy.Kallas, Siim. "European Commission calls for tough standards to regulate civil drones" European Commission, 8 April 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Advisory Group was set up in 2015 by the United Nations’ civil aviation arm to draw up global rules and regulations for the safe use of unmanned aircraft. The team comprises countries such as the United States, France and China, as well as industry bodies like the global pilots' association.
In December 2017, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a global airline trade body urged governments to enforce regulations aimed at curbing the reckless and hazardous operation of recreational drones.
Summary Country Recreational use Commercial use Source Limit w/o registration Limit w/ registration,but w/o authorization Limit w/o registration Limit w/ registration,but w/o authorization500g10kg??Can I Fly drone in ArgentinaProhibitedCommercial permit requiredCentral America drone laws guide250g25kg250g25kgDrone laws in BrazilNo limitCommercial permit requiredDrone Laws in Chad250g25kg250g25kgDrone laws in Colombia25kgNo limitCommercial permit requiredRegistration always required25kgCommercial permit requiredEl Salvador Drone Laws7 kg7/25 kg7 kg7/25 kgDrone flying in Greenland250g25kg??Drone Laws in Honduras2kg2kgCommercial permit requiredDrone Laws in Indonesia100gCommercial permit requiredDrone Laws in JapanProhibitedCommercial permit requiredDrone laws in MadagascarPermit requiredCommercial permit requiredYou Now Require A Permit To Operate Drones In Malaysia15kg25kgCommercial permit requiredDrone Laws in MongoliaProhibitedCommercial permit requiredMorocco Drone Laws25kgDrone Laws in New ZealandProhibitedProhibitedRegistration always required10kgRegistration always required10kgDrone regulatins in Pakistan
Australia In 2013, a Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) spokesman said that "those operating remotely piloted aircraft should keep them at least away from structures, buildings, and people, and to check with the local council where they could be used."
CASA regulations require that UAVs be at least from people and should not be operated in a way that creates a hazard.
Brazil
In 2017, the National Civil Aviation Agency regulated the operation of drones through the Brazilian Special Civil Aviation Regulation No. 94/2017 (RBAC-E No. 94/2017). ANAC's regulation complements the drone operating rules established by the Airspace Control Department (DECEA) and the National Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL).
Canada In 2016, Transport Canada proposed the implementation of new regulations that would require all drones over to be registered, insured, and that operators would be required to be a minimum age and pass an exam in order to get a license. The regulations were introduced in 2019.
France Overflights of nuclear power plants are illegal in France, with a punishment of a year in prison and a fine of €75,000 if an aircraft comes within 5 km horizontally or 1 km vertically of a plant.
European Union, including Switzerland The European Union's regulations classify drone operations in three categories: Open Special: operations overstepping the rules of the previous category Certified: the risks involved in operating the vehicle are exceptionally high
Switzerland, as part of EASA, employs the European Union rules.
Open Category By far, most people fly drones in the open category, for which there are three flight categories A1, A2 and A3. Drones can be used privately and commercially. In any case, the drone must be controlled using a visual line of sight between the pilot and their vehicle.
Flight Categories A1/A3: Required for drones of or more, a free online exam with 40 multiple-choice questions after registration, and confirming the pilot's identity. After passing the exam, the pilot receives the licenses for both A1 and A3.
A2: Requires the A3 license. Written on-site exam with 30 multiple-choice questions. Mandatory online training. The pilot has to practice with a drone under A3 rules. The pilot must be able to deal with various scenarios, e.g. people entering the flight area, manual take-offs and landings, estimating altitudes and distances using external reference values, and returning the drone to the starting point under difficult situations.
+ European Remote Pilot Licenses Category Maximum weight Flights over non-involved individuals Requirements, restrictions and duties A1, < 250 grams allowed, but should be avoided Operator of the drone must be registered if the vehicle has an onboard camera or a sensor that collects person-related data; otherwise, there is no need for a license. A1, < 900 grams must be avoided Flight area must be assessed in order to make flights over non-involved persons unlikely. A2 prohibited Horizontal minimum distances to non-involved persons: In low-speed mode (< ) 5 meters, otherwise 30 meters. Additionally, there is the 1:1 rule: If the horizontal distance to the next non-involved person is x meters, the maximum allowed flight altitude is x meters. A3 prohibited At least 150 meters of distance to commercial, residential or public buildings and recreational areas, and at least 30 meters from non-involved persons. Additionally, the 1:1 rule (from category A2) must be followed. In any case, the minimum horizontal distance to non-involved persons is the distance that the vehicle travels within 2 seconds when flying at maximum speed.
In the open category, no drone can be flown higher than above ground, and flights over gatherings of people are forbidden. Some weight-specific rules apply if the drone is heavier than 250 grams: the operator of the vehicle must carry a third party liability insurance the vehicle must be marked with the operator's personal registration code flights are forbidden within 5 kilometers of airports and airfields.
A pilot can choose to operate the drone in a higher category. For example, a person can gain experience with a 3 kilograms drone without an A2 license if the requirements of category A3 are met.
In order to allow A3 flights near buildings and recreational areas, e.g. for roof inspections, the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation has outlined a (national) rule that can be followed alternatively: Whenever there are more than 10 persons in circle with a radius of 100 meters, the drone can be flown with a minimum horizontal distance of 150 meters to the center of the circle. This essentially creates a flight area (where no non-involved persons are allowed to stay), and a 50 meters wide belt around the flight area that must be continuously watched for non-involved persons. Applying this rule requires a proper inspection of the area, and flight planning (e.g. a flight must take place in the early morning before visitors arrive at a public park).
Special Category The special category applies to drones and flights that overstep the limitations of A1/A2/A3. Examples: Flights above 120 meters AGL, no line of sight (drone is controlled through a live video feed), or the vehicle is heavier than 25 kilograms. In order to fly in the Special Category, the national aviation authority needs to issue a permit.
In a written manual, the drone operator must systematically review the operational risks, and how they are dealt with. Also, the operator must describe how he intends to co-operate with other authorities (e.g. Air Traffic Control).
Certified Category The risks involved in operating drones are exceptionally high. Possible (future) cases involve transporting freight or passengers. The pilot must possess a pilot's license, the vehicle must have a type certificate, and the company operating the vehicle must be issued an air operator's certificate.
Hong Kong While no-fly zones have been declared in Victoria Harbour, the airport, military sites, prisons and in government-run leisure facilities, it was reported that rules were rarely enforced or observed. The Hong Kong government proposed to introduce regulations that will broadly follow American standards, which might require all drones above a certain weight to be registered. Information would then made available to law enforcement authorities, and failure to register and tag a drone could be punishable by a US$250,000 (HK$1.95 million) fine or up to three years in jail. A short public consultation on the matter is set to be conducted by the first quarter of 2018, and to finish by mid-2018. SUA weighing over 250g (except SUA of which flight is wholly within an enclosed area of domestic premises) must be registered with Civil Aviation Department (CAD) before operation, SUA registration may be submitted by a natural person of at least 18 years of age. +Category of OperationStandard Category A1 OperationStandard Category A2 OperationAdvanced OperationCriteriaCategory A1 SUA (weight ≤ 250 g)