CAA drone regulations

RPAS Private Operations

​Definitions:

Private operation - means the use of an RPA for an individual's personal and private purposes where there is no commercial outcome, interest or gain;

Restricted visual line-of-sight* - means an operation within 500 m of the remote pilot and below the height of the highest obstacle within 300 m of the RPA, which the remote pilot maintains direct unaided visual contact with the RPA to manage its flight and meet separation and collision avoidance responsibilities;

General

It is the full responsibility of the remote pilot of the RPAS to fly his/her aircraft safely and not endanger safety of another aircraft, any person or property.
The remote pilot must observe all statutory requirements relating to liability, privacy and any other laws enforceable by any other authorities.
Limitations and restrictions
Please adhere to the following for the safe operation of RPAS:

1. Private operations of RPAS shall be conducted:
a. only in R-VLOS
b. with a Class 1A or 1B RPA (mass < 7 kg, Impact energy* < 15 kJ)

2. Do not fly RPA:
a. Near manned aircraft
b. 10 km or closer to an aerodrome (airport, helipad or airfield)
c. In controlled, restricted or prohibited

3. Do not fly RPA 50m or closer from:
a. Any person or group of persons (like sport fields, road races, stadiums, schools, social events, etc.)
b. Public road
c. Any property without permission from property owner

4. Only fly RPA in daylight and clear weather conditions


*Refer to Technical Guidance Material (TGM) for RPAS Part 101 for more information.

NOTE: The Director of Civil Aviation has designated an external organisation to oversee the operations of recreational aviation.

For more information on the operation of model aircraft, please contact the South African Model Aircraft Association (SAMAA), www.samaa.org.za.



View the latest SACAA promtional brochure and flyer regarding the operation of RPAS here.

Specifically note:

3. Do not fly RPA 50m or closer from:
a. Any person or group of persons

Any hobby drone pilot who fails to adhere to these regulations may receive a 10-year prison sentence or a fine of up to R50 000, or both.

Tegnies is Struisbaai plaat dan onwettig vir drone flights vanwee Andrews Airfield.

Sal mos die lui manne kwaad maak so vroeg op die klein Saterdag Dirk.((goodp_((goodp_((goodp_((goodp_((goodp_((goodp_((goodp_((goodp_((goodp_((goodp_((goodp_((goodp_((goodp_((goodp_((goodp_((goodp_((goodp_((goodp_((goodp_

Lol... ek noem dit maar net want ek sien moeilikheid kom by plekke soos Macs en Strandfontein. Veral wanneer ligas aan is en ou kom drop aas langs langs groep hengelaars...pwf__+

Definitief punte wat aangeraak moet word.

Can't call ignorance on this one.

Is the reverse also true? If i fly a drone, are you allowed within 50 m of me?

For all the drone owners and potential drone owners, lets use this forum to help each other with tips, tricks and rigs

Oceanmad wrote:

Is the reverse also true? If i fly a drone, are you allowed within 50 m of me?

Click to expand...

Unfortunately not, hence you will only be legally be able to use it in areas that is not frequented by people. In Mossel Bay you shouldn't really have a problem with this, the fishing pressure is a bit more intense here in the cape.

I think being responsible and respect is the key here

On BOTH sides

All I am going to say is the next person that flies his drone over my head for his youtube video I will be sending a sinker and line in the general direction.
You cant camp these days somewhere without a drone coming past at some stage the weekend. And no I m not talking about people using it for fishing I am talking about the guy's going up and down the shoreline at the dams.
I will even film me doing this as evidence they were too close.

I agree a 100% We use drones purely to get baits out beyond the breakers AND the drone has no camera, so their is no other use for it apart from fishing

I have nothing against drone angling at all, but having just this week (finally) recieved my RPL license after completing all the courses, I have learned that according to the SACAA regulations it is in fact illegal to use a drone to drop any pay load. Yet I dont know of any anglers that have been confronted by any authority on this matter, has anyone else heard of anglers being hassled about dropping baits, by authorities not the bitter angler next to you or the public?

​Definitions:

"Remotely piloted aircraft" (RPAS) means an unmanned aircraft which is piloted from a remote pilot station, excluding model aircraft and toy aircraft.

"Toy aircraft" means a product falling under the definition of aircraft which is designed or intended for use in play by children.

"Model aircraft" means a non-human-carrying aircraft capable of sustained flight in the atmosphere and used exclusively for air display, recreational use, sport or competitions.

This is the definition taken from the south african aviation authority. Clearly a drone is not classified as a rpa and the same same legislation does NOT apply

As far as I understand a drone is not a model aircraft.

The 2009 Civil Aviation Act[ 3] forms the basis for regulating RPAS. Based on the regulatory authority accorded to it under the Act (see Part III, below), the Ministry of Transportation and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have recently developed regulations, technical standards, technical guidance material, and circulars to govern RPAS.

Regulations governing RPAS were issued by the Minister of Transportation on May 27, 2015.[ 4] These regulations, which were issued as an amendment to the 2011 Civil Aviation Regulations,[ 5] now constitute part 101 of such Regulations, and are (when referenced separately) known as the Eighth Amendment of the Civil Aviation Regulations, 2015.[ 6] Under section 163 of the Act and part 11 of the 2011 Regulations, the Director of Civil Aviation also recently issued technical standards on RPAS known as the South Africa Civil Aviation Technical Standards (SA-CATS).[ 7] Both took effect on July 1, 2015.[ 8] In addition, the Director has issued a number of aeronautical information circulars (AICs) applicable to RPAS.[ 9] Further, the CAA issued technical guidance material, the Technical Guidance Material for RPAS−Part 101, in September 2015.[10]

A. Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations apply to what are known as Class-1 and Class-2 RPA and to owners, operators, pilots and those who maintain such RPA.[11] An RPA is “an unmanned aircraft which is piloted from a remote pilot station, excluding model aircraft[12] and toy aircraft.”[13] These classes of RPA are defined in the SA-CATS, including in terms of their weight. Class-1 and Class-2 RPAs are further divided into subclasses: Class-1A (less than 1.5 kilograms/3.3 pounds), Class-1B (less than 7 kilograms/15.4 pounds), and Class-1C and Class 2A (less than 20 kilograms/44 pounds).[14] The application of the Regulations does not extend to

autonomous unmanned aircraft,[15] unmanned free balloons and their operations, or other types of aircraft that cannot be managed on a real-time basis during flight;

aircraft operated in terms of Part 94 of the Civil Aviation Regulations (which addresses the Operation of “Non-type Certificated Aircraft”[16]);

model aircraft; and

toy aircraft.[17]

Under the Regulations, different uses of RPA are permitted. RPA may be used for private, commercial, corporate, and nonprofit purposes.[18]

B. Private RPA Operations
A private operation is “the use of an RPA for an individual’s personal and private purpose where there is no commercial outcome, interest or gain.”[19]

Private operations are subject to specific restrictions. They may only be conducted with a Class-1A RPA (less than 1.5 kilograms in weight) or Class-1B RPA (less than 7 kilograms in weight), both of which cannot be flown more than 400 feet above the ground.[20] All private operations must be conducted only in restricted visual line of sight (R-VLOS), specifically, “within 500 meters of the remote pilot and below the height of the highest obstacle within 300 meters of the RPA, in which the remote pilot maintains direct unaided visual contact with the RPA to manage its flight and meet separation and collision avoidance responsibilities.”[21] In addition, RPA may only be operated over property owned by the operator or other property with the permission of the owner.[22]

The Regulations also impose restrictions on certain uses of RPA. An RPA may not tow another aircraft, perform aerial or aerobatic displays, or be flown in formation or swarm.[23] It may not be flown within a 10 kilometer (about 6.2 mile) radius of an airfield, within restricted or prohibited airspace, or above or near a sensitive area, including a nuclear power plant, correctional institution, police station, crime scene, or court.[24] An RPA may not be operated directly overhead of any person or within a lateral distance of 50 meters (164 feet) from any person.[25] It may not be used for the purpose of releasing, dispensing, dropping, delivering or deploying of an object or substance.[26] It may only be used in daylight and under clear weather conditions.[27]
Private RPA operations are exempt from various rules applicable to other forms of RPA operations. For instance, rules on the need for approval and registration of an RPA before operation, personnel licensing requirements, and RPA operator certificate and maintenance requirements do not apply to private operations of RPA (for more on these requirements, see Part II(C), below).[28] They are also exempt from rules governing the conveyance of dangerous goods and safety considerations (for instance, ensuring that an RPA is in a “fit-to-fly condition”).[29] They are further exempt from regulations on the manner in which flight time is recorded and reported, and on the use of flight logbooks, power reserves, first-aid kits, and hand-held fire extinguishers.[30]

https://www.loc.gov/law/help/regulation-of-drones/south-africa.php

DJP wrote:

As far as I understand a drone is not a model aircraft.

Click to expand...

Interesting? My father was national champ for model aircraft multiple times in old days, I grew up with them. He and flying partner built 2 and 3 m long exact scale models, sea planes, jet turbines and bombers etc.. They are pretty dangerous if not used properly..So if drones were to be treated differently it would have to be laid down clearly in law. Law is generally black and white and ers on the side of caution when grey, until defined and then it is black and white again. The law cannot create confusion or else it is counter productive.

So DJP, Oceanmad does not agree with you and has clearly said why? You have said that your understanding does not agree with him, and then you went on to repeat yourself without saying why you believe him to be wrong and you correct..So not that I care too much, but why do do understand that a drone is not a model aircraft?

If I read the legal definition I can't see why it is not a model aircraft, at face value..In your reply, cut and paste of the regulations, there is a "12" and "13" reference to the definitions that you did not include..here they are:

"12] A “model aircraft” is
a heavier-than-air aircraft of limited dimensions, with or without a propulsion device, unable to carry a human being and to be used for competition, sport or recreational purposes rather than unmanned aeronautical vehicles (UAV) developed for commercial or governmental, scientific, research or military purposes, and not exceeding the specifications as set by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale as listed in Document SA-CATS 24.  Civil Aviation Regulations, 2011, § 1.01.1. [13] Id.  A “toy aircraft” is “a product falling under the definition of aircraft which is designed or intended for use in play by children.”  Id."


In reading that it is clear that one must then read Document SA-CATS 24.  Civil Aviation Regulations, 2011, to understand what the maximum specifications are for model aircraft and then one can see how your drone relates to those and then one can only know whether your drone falls under that definition or not. I will try find that document..otherwise it seems to me that a drone can clearly be defined as a model aircraft. Will reply back once that has been looked at..
https://www.businessinsider.co.za/the-spry-worlds-first-drone-that-can-go-underwater-like-a-submarine-2018-10
So how would one define that?

http://www.caa.co.za/Legal%20Documents/CIVIL_AVIATION_REGULATIONS-2011.pdf

"“model aircraft”
means a heavier-than-air aircraft of lim
ited dimensions, with or without a
propulsion device, unable to carry a human being
and to be used for competition, sport or
recreational purposes rather
than unmanned aeronautic
al vehicles (UAV) developed for
commercial or governmental, scientific, research
or military purposes,
and not exceeding the
specifications as set by the Federation Aeronautiq
ue Internationale as listed in Document SA-
CATS 24; "

"“aviation recreation” means flying microlight, glider, balloon, gyroplane, hang glider,
paraglider, model aircraft, light sport aeroplane, touring motor glider, parachute or involvement
in aviation events; "

"Operation of model aircraft
94.06.11
Model aircraft are exempted from these regulations –
(a) except from regulation 94.05.1; and
(b) provided that no model aircraft shall be flown –
(i) higher than 150 feet above the surface; or
(ii) from or above a public road,
unless with the prior approval of the Director and on conditions determined by him or her; or
in airspace specifically approved for the purpose by the Director and on conditions set by him
or her for the use of such airspace.

"SUBPART 5:
RULES OF THE AIR
Conditions for Flight
94.05.1
(1) Unless granted permission by the Director or the organisation designated for the
purpose in terms of Part 149, as the case may be, on a case-by-case basis, a non-type
certificated aircraft may not be flown –
(a) by night;
(b) in meteorological conditions less than those prescribed as
suitable for flight under VFR;
(c) within controlled airspace, unless cleared by
and on conditions prescribed by ATC; or
(d) within 5 NM from the aerodrome reference point of an aerodrome, licensed or approved
in terms of Part 139 of
these regulations and situated
in Class G airspace, unless
established unmanned aerodrome procedures
for the particular aerodrome can be
adhered to; or
(e) unless unavoidable, over built up areas
and open-air assemblies of persons except for
the purpose of take-of
f, transit and landing.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-regulation (1) a non-type certificated aircraft may operate under IFR conditions by day if it has
been granted permission in terms of Regulation
24.02.3(3) of these Regulations.
633
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-regulation (1)(e), paragliders and hangliders, and
powered versions thereof, may fly over built
up areas provided they are foot-launched. "

If amendments or changes to these 2011 regulations have been made that further define a drone as opposed to a model aircraft, DJP please post them..I am still looking for the FAI specifications that would define this. It seems to me that the original differentiation between the two was purposely clear in that small remote controlled aircraft used for recreational purposes and not commercial purposes would be defined as a model aircraft and remote aircraft that were used for commercial purposes would be classed as an RPA. Recreational purposes being the thing the excempts the pilot from most of the regulations. So in my understanding, one can go and drop your bait/payload off and it is legal so long that you are away from people, roads, airports etc, do not go too high up and it is for recreation, if you are charging people to take their baits out with your drone, it would now be illegal and your drone would no longer be a model aircraft.

The specifications laid down by the FAI would clarify where they stand. To me it seems that the law creates the difference between RPA and model aircraft not on size or type, but on the intended application it is to be used for? If you are making money out of it you have to jump through a bunch of hoops, if you are just using it for fun, you just have to be respectful and stay within the safe boundary.

Maybe there is a lawyer on here that can clear it up?

http://thewritecandidate.co.za/south-africas-new-drone-regulations-take-off/

A legal take on it..I have now read the latest amendments and the FIA/ SA-CATS 24 and they have changed nothing with regards to model aircraft nor the definitions thereof. I wrote a whole reply and lost it but here goes with the latest regulations..

"
14. MODEL AIRCRAFT
14.1
General Characteristics of Model Aircraft
(1)
The general characteristics of model aircraft are set by the Federation
Aeronautique Internationale and may be found in section 4 of its document
ABR, Part 4 C.
(2)
Unless otherwise stated, model aircraft shall meet the following general
specifi
cations:
(a)
maximum flying weight with fuel
-
25kg;
(b)
maximum surface area
-
5m
2
;
(c)
maximum loading
-
5kg/m
2
;
(d)
maximum swept volume of piston motor(s)
-
250cm
3
;
(e)
electric motors power source maximum no
-
load voltage
-
42 volts;
(f)
metal
-
blade
d propellers are prohibited.
(3)
Model helicopters shall meet the following general specifications:
(a)
Maximum weight with fuel
-
5kg;
(b)
maximum swept area of the lifting rotor(s) counting only once any
superimposed areas
-
3m
2
:
Provided that in the case of co
-
axial model helicopters whose rotors
are further than one rotor diameter apart, the total area of both
rotors is counted;
(c)
piston motor swept volumemaximum
-
10cm
3
;
(d)
rubber motor
-
no restrictions.
(4)
Free
-
flying
model aircraft Free
-
flying model aircraft that are neither radio
-
or
line
-
controlled shall not have a maximum mass exceeding 5 kg.
(5)
Noise limitations:
(a)
Noise limitations shall be applied to powered model aircraft
categories, with 96 dB (A)
at 3 meters for any category, which does
not have approval for any other noise rule. Specific noise measuring
procedures are to be developed by relevant national body in which
model aircraft operators are associated.
(b)
Noise limits do not apply to
model aircraft with electric motors."

Sorry the formatting not the greatest but that are the official specifications that define a model aircraft, aside from whether it is for commercial purposes or not..

http://www.caa.co.za/Legal%20Documents/PART%20101%20GAZETTE.pdf

Read "Part 101.03.1 (3)
This part (101) does not apply to-
(c) a model aircraft; and.."

Which does not change anything as far as I can tell for an angling drone for recreation. A drone used by a guide for clients or a drone used by a person dropping baits off for other anglers for a charge would then be a RPA and not be a model aircraft. For a model aircraft there are already regulations but they are exempt from most "drone" regulations which are aimed at commercial ventures clearly. Do not fly over people, near or over aerodromes and over roads, do not fly more than 150ft high. Fly for fun/recreation.

http://www.caa.co.za/Pages/RPAS/Remotely%20Piloted%20Aircraft%20Systems.aspx

"Definitions:

"Remotely piloted aircraft" (RPAS) means an unmanned aircraft which is piloted from a remote pilot station, excluding model aircraft and toy aircraft.

"Toy aircraft" means a product falling under the definition of aircraft which is designed or intended for use in play by children.

"Model aircraft" means a non-human-carrying aircraft capable of sustained flight in the atmosphere and used exclusively for air display, recreational use, sport or competitions."

The definitions seem quite clear and correct me if you see an error in my logic and comprehension.

Otherwise must be smaller than 5kg, 3m and no noise restrictions on electric motors..? Pretty broad official specifications. The main difference between RPA and model aircraft seems the be whether the intended purpose is harmless fun or commercial purposes.

My dad used to load the WW2 replica bomber with a payload of sweets and bomb them for us to go find, within an official model aircraft area on official airshow days, he would still seem to be able to do that today with a drone if he was still around, and for sure he would be dropping a payload off for a big shark. It was fully his style, his favourite recreation was to drop big baits off into the deep at the cliffs in the transkei with a kite..