Hobby pilots:
- Can fly up to the height of the highest object in 300m of the drone, up to a max of 400 feet (RVLOS).
- Can fly up to 500m away from the pilot, while maintaining direct line of sight (VLOS).
- Can fly RPAS up to 7kg weight.
- Need to keep more than 50m from people (lateral distance).
- Need to keep more than 50m from roads (lateral distance).
- Need to keep more than 50m from buildings (lateral distance).
- Need to keep more than 10km from airports.
- May only fly RPAS in daylight and clear weather conditions.
- May not fly in No Fly Zones.
- May not fly on any property without permission from the property owner
- Do not need an RPL (Remote Pilots Licence).
- Do not need to register their RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems) aircraft.
- Do not need an aviation medical.
Commercial drone pilots require the following:
- RPL pilot training (practical and theory training for RPAS in line with Part 101) and license.
- Restricted Radio Licence (also known as Restricted Certificate of Radiotelephony – Aeronautical).
- Aviation Medical Certificate (or complete the Medical self assessment form supplied after 1 July)
- RPAS specifications, Flight Manual and Maintenance program from manufacturer.
- Field Operations Manual (generated by the operator) – must include the following sections:
- Details of the operation
- Risk assessment
- SMS/ QMS Management Systems
- Weather forecast and any other useful info for the date of operation
- Permission for Aerial Work from Air Services Council and/or property owner/ landlord
- Criminal record checks and background checks of all staff.
- RPA registration (will be a registration number starting with ZT…)
- RLA – RPA Letter of Approval.
- ROC – RPAS Operating Certificate.
- 3rd party insurance of minimum 500 000 ZAR
The above does not constitute to legal advice!
More on CAA website http://www.caa.co.za/Pages/RPAS/Private%20Operations.aspx