Drones have gained popularity and become an essential inspection tool in industries like real estate, inspections, and construction. With the massive use, having a regulatory framework and safety regulations to ensure safety and compliance.
If you plan to operate drones in the UAE, you must follow a strict regulatory regime. This regime may seem difficult, but following it will help you stay compliant and avoid legal penalties.
Stay with us in the blog to learn why regulations are necessary and how following them can help you operate drones smoothly and avoid legal issues.
Why Do These Regulations Matter
Although drones are extremely useful, they can pose risks if not used carefully. For instance, consider airspace safety; if drones are not operated carefully, they can interrupt the other aircraft, causing a safety hazard.
Also, there are many concerns regarding privacy, especially when drones are used to capture images and videos during inspections. In the UAE, the authorities have issued a set of safety regulations to ensure the safe, responsible, and law-abiding use of drones for aerial inspection.
European Union Regulations For The Use Of Drones
The European Union has issued regulatory guidelines regarding the use of drones. The set of regulations comprises three sets of regulations. These regulations are:
- Regulation (EU) 2018/1139.
- Regulation (EU) 2019/947.
- Regulation (EU) 2019/945.
(Understanding European Drone Regulations and the Aviation Regulatory System | EASA)
Drone Regulation In The UAE
In the UAE, the General Civil Aviation Authorities (GCAA) regulates the use of drones and follows a specific set of rules with the following requirements:
If you are planning to use drones either for commercial or recreational purposes, you must be registered with GCAA. You can register with them via the MyDroneHub platform. In the portal, you have to provide details regarding the drone you are planning to use and the use for which you are going to use it. The registration is non-negotiable and you have to face strict penalties if you fail to comply.
- No Fly-Zones As Defined By GCAA
The UAE has several no-fly zones, including airports, military areas, and heavily populated regions. To stay in compliance and ensure that you are not operating in a no-fly zone, you must regularly check the interactive map available from the GCAA.
You cannot fly a drone that is more than 400 feet high in the UAE. It is also obligatory that the drone must be in sight of the pilot during operation. Also, you cannot fly drones at night unless you have been granted permission for it.
- Remote Pilot Licence For Commercial Use
To operate a drone for commercial purposes, for instance, for aerial inspection, you have to pass a GCAA-approved training course that educates you about drone safety, operations, and local regulations. It is a must for those who intend to use these drones for large infrastructure purposes; failing to comply with them would lead to penalties.
- Protection Of Privacy And Data
As drone operations take place in highly populated areas, capturing personal data could happen without intention and is unavoidable. Therefore, it is extremely important to comply with local regulations regarding the images captured while inspecting a building or surveying land.
How To Stay In Compliance With The Regulations
Staying in compliance with regulations is essential if you want to operate drones smoothly. Here are some tips to help you do so.
- Check the interactive map to ensure that you are not flying in a no-fly zone.
- Invest in a proper training course approved by the authorities.
- Follow the flight rules regarding height limit.
- Do not violate the privacy of people.
- Record everything related to the licence, operations, and drones to ensure a properly documented record.
Wrap-up
The use of drones has become a quintessential part of aerial inspections and surveying. However, it is obligatory that you follow the global and local regulations and stay in compliance with them to avoid any legal consequences. It is recommended that you understand the laws and follow them to avoid any legal consequences.