I am doing some research into the current state of play regarding using Multirotors commercially across the globe.\u00a0I’ve\u00a0collated as much\u00a0info as I can so far and included\u00a0it below.<\/p>\n
I’ve also created the visualisation shown above. It’s encouraging to see that regulation is fairly widespread at this time (orange).<\/p>\n
I intend to keep updating this on an ongoing basis and would appreciate input from\u00a0other\u00a0multicopter pilots.\u00a0Some of the source info provided here is fairly vague so\u00a0it would be great to get\u00a0this more definitive\u00a0going forward.<\/p>\n
This post gets a fair amount of traffic and I’d like to make it even more useful for everyone. If you have any information on regulation<\/b> within your<\/i> country \/ or if it’s not featured, please drop me a comment or message<\/a>. Updated: Jan 2016<\/b>\n<\/div>\n <\/a><\/p>\n License \/ Permission required: Yes<\/strong><\/p>\n Commercial operation requires ‘Permissions to Operate’ certification from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).<\/p>\n In order to attain this, pilots need to obtain a remote pilot qualification (which includes a theory exam and flight competency test) and submit an operations manual. Public liability insurance is also a requirement.<\/p>\n There are currently two CAA approved NQEs<\/span> (National Qualified Entities) operating in the UK.<\/p>\n Source<\/strong>: http:\/\/www.caa.co.uk <\/a><\/p>\n License \/ Permission required:\u00a0X<\/strong>1<\/sup> *<\/p>\n The FAA has declared a blanket ban on commercial multicopter operations, currently there is no regulation to allow it.<\/p>\n However it is working on legal certification laws with a 2015 deadline in effect from Congress. More recently, the FAA has *Update<\/strong>:\u00a0The FAA has published upcoming guidelines for commercial multirotor flights:\u00a0http:\/\/petapixel.com\/2015\/02\/16\/faa-unveils-rules-commercial-drone-usage\/<\/a><\/p>\n Source<\/strong>:\u00a0https:\/\/www.faa.gov\/uas<\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n License \/ Permission required:\u00a0Yes<\/strong><\/p>\n Commercial operation requires an operating license. Requirements vary by type of location (undeveloped, unpopulated, populated and densely populated) and weight classes. Four categories are defined by unmanned aerial vehicles (AD). This determines essentially the severity of the conditions. (eg. building codes, performance parameters, pilot qualification, etc.).<\/p>\n Source<\/strong>\u00a0(English translation provided)<\/em>:\u00a0http:\/\/www.austrocontrol.at <\/a><\/p>\n License \/ Permission required:\u00a0Yes<\/strong><\/p>\n Commercial operation currently requires a UAS Operator\u2019s Certificate (UOC or OC) issued by the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority.<\/p>\n The CASA plans to implement Phase 2<\/em> which will consist of a complete re-write of the regulation resulting in a new CASR Part 102 for RPAS.<\/p>\n Source<\/strong>:\u00a0http:\/\/www.casa.gov.au\/rpa<\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n License \/ Permission required: X<\/strong>1<\/sup><\/p>\n Drones can only be used for test flights and for scientific purposes, but not in the context of commercial activities.<\/p>\n Source<\/strong>: http:\/\/www.aviabel.com <\/a><\/p>\n License \/ Permission required:\u00a0Yes<\/strong><\/p>\n Chinese law enforcement sources say that companies are free to operate drones once they attain the proper permissions from regulators and local air-traffic control outfits.<\/p>\n Source<\/strong>:\u00a0http:\/\/www.ibtimes.com <\/a><\/p>\n License \/ Permission required:\u00a0Yes<\/strong><\/p>\n Per\u00admis\u00adsion is required.<\/p>\n Source<\/strong>:\u00a0http:\/\/http:\/\/www.caa.cz\/ <\/a><\/p>\n License \/ Permission required: No<\/strong><\/p>\n In general commercial and non-commercial RPAS operations are allowed without special permit. In june 2013 a roadmap for the safe integration of UAS into European civil airspace by 2016 was presented. Until then every European country is acting according to national regulations. Danish CAA is supporting the UAS industry in every possible way during this transition period.<\/p>\n Source<\/strong>: http:\/\/www.uasdenmark.dk <\/a><\/p>\n License \/ Permission required:\u00a0Yes<\/strong><\/p>\n Commercial operation requires a CAA permit on case by case basis.<\/p>\n Source<\/strong>: http:\/\/www.uasnorway.org<\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n License \/ Permission required:\u00a0Yes<\/strong><\/p>\n For commercial operations, RPAS pilots must undertake the theoretical part of a pilot license.<\/p>\n Source<\/strong>: http:\/\/www.airshoot-technologie.com<\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n License \/ Permission required:\u00a0Yes<\/strong><\/p>\n Each RPAS flight, which is not conducted for the purpose of pure sports and leisure activities, requires a climb permission, no matter what take-off weight.<\/p>\n Additionally, a certificate of insurance is required, written consent of the land owner, clearance of the regulatory authority of the community, this can be, for example via e-mail an informal, brief statement that you agree with the project from a regulatory legal perspective, a sketch of the flight area (Google Maps excerpt) in the shaded area and the estimated time of flight is provided with a maximum intended mounting height.<\/p>\n Source<\/strong>\u00a0(English translation provided)<\/em>:\u00a0http:\/\/www.mikrokopter.de <\/a><\/p>\n License \/ Permission required:\u00a0No<\/strong><\/p>\n As far as I can find, regulation in Iceland is still in draft format. According to the draft legislation; drones must be kept at a distance of at least 150 meters (492 feet) from Bessasta\u00f0ir, the presidential residence, police stations and prisons, and special permission will be required for flying over densely-populated areas. Drones cannot be flown within a 1.5-km (0.9-mile) radius of an airport, unless their users have special permission, or within 200 meters of the scene of an accident. Drones have already been banned within \u00deingvellir National Park<\/em> and owners of fishing rivers are lobbying for a ban on drones over rivers during fishing season.<\/p>\n Source<\/strong>:\u00a0http:\/\/icelandreview.com <\/a><\/p>\n License \/ Permission required:\u00a0X<\/strong>1<\/sup><\/p>\n Industry experts claim there are no specific laws regarding operation of drones in India at present. “However, laws exist with regard to limitations of flying altitudes and zones. Drone operators should, therefore, see to it that they have all the permissions in place,”<\/em> said a DGCA official.<\/p>\n Update<\/strong>: According to this source<\/a>, the use of civilian drones across\u00a0India\u00a0has been banned pending DGCA regulation.<\/p>\n Source<\/strong>:\u00a0http:\/\/www.dnaindia.com <\/a><\/p>\n License \/ Permission required:\u00a0Yes<\/strong><\/p>\n Commercial operations are allowed subject to the possession of appropriate authorisation issued by ENAC.<\/p>\n In case of specialised operations carried out for third parties, an agreement must be signed between the RPAS operator and the client, by which the parties define their respective responsibilities and agree on the suitability of RPAS for the planned operation and any relevant limitation. A certificate of third party insurance is required.<\/p>\n Source\u00a0<\/strong>(English version)<\/em>:\u00a0http:\/\/www.enac.gov.it <\/a><\/p>\n License \/ Permission required: No<\/strong><\/p>\n Unsure of com\u00admer\u00adcial use guidelines, but “Japan\u00adese avi\u00adation laws do not cur\u00adrently pro\u00adhibit drones at or below 250m above ground except near airports.”<\/em><\/p>\n Tokyo has banned drones in municipal parks after one was dis\u00adcovered on the roof of the prime minister\u2019s res\u00adid\u00adence, accord\u00ading to reports.<\/p>\n Sources\u00a0<\/strong>:\u00a0http:\/\/www.ft.com , http:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk <\/a><\/p>\n License \/ Permission required: No<\/strong><\/p>\n In Mexico there are no regulations on the use of drones, although the government uses them to fight drug trafficking, some companies use them to supervise construction, and universities use them for scientific research.<\/p>\n Source\u00a0<\/strong>:\u00a0http:\/\/www.ipsnews.net <\/a><\/p>\n License \/ Permission required:\u00a0No<\/strong><\/p>\n The New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is currently in the process of developing policy for the regulation of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems. For now, it looks like there are no permission requirements, but like anywhere, general guidelines are in place and the CAA encourages pilots to engage with them about intended operation.<\/p>\n Source<\/strong>:\u00a0http:\/\/www.caa.govt.nz\/rpasRegulation\u00a0by Country<\/h2>\n
\n\n
United Kingdom<\/h3>\n
\n<\/a>Updated<\/strong>: Aug 2014<\/p><\/div>\n
\nUnited States<\/h3>\n
considered exempting seven<\/del> exempted six small companies<\/a> in the television\/film industry from the ban.<\/p>\n
\nUpdated<\/strong>: Feb\u00a016th\u00a02015<\/p><\/div>\n
\nAustria<\/h3>\n
\n<\/a>Updated<\/strong>: Aug 2014<\/p><\/div>\n
\nAustralia<\/h3>\n
\nUpdated<\/strong>: Aug 2014<\/p><\/div>\n
\nBelgium<\/h3>\n
\n<\/a>Updated<\/strong>: Aug 2014<\/p><\/div>\n
\nChina<\/h3>\n
\n<\/a>Updated<\/strong>: Aug 2014<\/p><\/div>\n
\nCzech Republic<\/h3>\n
\n<\/a>Updated<\/strong>: Aug 2014<\/p><\/div>\n
\nDenmark<\/h3>\n
\n<\/a>Updated<\/strong>: Aug 2014<\/p><\/div>\n
\nFinland<\/h3>\n
\nUpdated<\/strong>: Aug 2014<\/p><\/div>\n
\nFrance<\/h3>\n
\nUpdated<\/strong>: Aug 2014<\/p><\/div>\n
\nGermany<\/h3>\n
\n<\/a>Updated<\/strong>: Aug 2014<\/p><\/div>\nIceland<\/h3>\n
\n<\/a>Updated<\/strong>: Jan 2016<\/p><\/div>\n
\nIndia<\/h3>\n
\n<\/a>Updated<\/strong>: Oct 13th\u00a02014<\/p><\/div>\n
\nItaly<\/h3>\n
\n<\/a>Updated<\/strong>: Aug 2014<\/p><\/div>\n
\nJapan<\/h3>\n
\n<\/a>Updated<\/strong>: May 2015<\/p><\/div>\n
\nMexico<\/h3>\n
\n<\/a>Updated<\/strong>: Aug 2014<\/p><\/div>\n
\nNew Zealand<\/h3>\n
\n<\/a>Updated<\/strong>: Aug 2014<\/p><\/div>\n
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