The General Civil Aviation Authority, GCAA, has launched an outreach campaign concerning ‘light air sports’. The campaign will be held in association with the Air Support Department at the Directorate-General of Security Support, the General-Secretariat of the Office of H.H. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and will last for two weeks.
Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of GCAA, said that the authority has enacted a federal legislation regarding the use of drones. The legislation stipulates the need for drone operators to adhere to national drone piloting requirements and defines related prohibited activities, especially given the wide range of people who use these systems who often lack the necessary experience and information. The GCAA has given special attention to enhance the public’s knowledge and understanding of the requirements, legislation and best practices related to the use of drones within the UAE.
The GCAA has issued a guide for safe drone use, in addition to a set of signs that indicate that the use of drones is prohibited in specific areas, said Al Suwaidi.
The campaign primarily aims to educate the public on the do’s and don’ts of operating individual drones in the UAE. The campaign included brochure in addition to introducing new signs that ban drones from certain areas such as airports.
Drone owners should always abide but the below rules:
1. All drone activities shall take place within the visual line of sight of the user not above 400 ft from ground level (approximately the height of Dubai World Trade Centre) without the use of visual aids, such as binoculars and within the aircraft’s operational range.
2. Fly only during daytime and in good weather conditions.
3. Do not fly the drone within five kilometres from any airports, helipads, landing areas or manned aircraft.
4. Do not fly near any buildings, houses, private properties or persons.
5. Fly for fun and not for commercial purposes.
Although illegal by law, there is no mention so far about the use of cameras mounted on drones as previously reported.
Source: WAM, GulfNews
