Drone Regulations: Brazil

Yes. However, Brazil does not authorize the use of autonomous UAS but only remoted UAS. Brazil also ratified the Chicago Convention, which in its article 8 prohibits self-operated aircraft or autonomous UAS; consequently, they are not authorized by ANAC.

The Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) is the authorized federal aviation body which rules the registration and operation of any type of aircraft in Brazil including unmanned aircraft and remoted pilots. In 2007 ANAC published the RBAC-E 94 which rules the operation of UAS for civil use. General rules from the Brazilian Aeronautical Code (Brazilian Law 7.565 from 1986) and general criminal, civil and administrative laws in Brazil (principally regulating personal inviolability, private life, dignity and personal image) should also be observed for the use of unmanned aerial vehicles. ANATEL (the ‘Brazilian National Telecommunications Agency’) and DECEA (the ‘Air Space Control Department’) have also issued regulations which must be observed for the operation of UAS.

There is a distinction for remote piloted aircraft for State use (considered for military use) and private use. The specific legislation in Brazil issued by ANAC (RBAC-E n. 94) does not apply to military unmanned aerial vehicles (VANTs) but only to private VANTs. The rules for the use of VANTs for military purpose are not controlled by ANAC but by DECEA who is the military body liable for private and military use of VANTs. In case of a conversion of an unmanned aerial vehicle originally authorized for military use to civil use then specific ANAC legislation (RBAC-E n. 21) would apply.

Leisure and commercial use of UAS are considered “civil use”. UAS for military use are considered for public. The ANAC legislation RBAC-E 94 applies for civil UAS’s only. DECEA is a military body in charge of the control of the Brazilian airspace and its regulation for the use of the airspace is applicable for any type of UAS.

Brazil ratified the Chicago Convention, which in its article 8 prohibits self-operated aircraft or autonomous UAS; consequently, they are not authorized in Brazil by ANAC or DECEA.

Remoted Pilot Aircraft and Remoted Pilot Aircraft System (RPA and RPAS) were divided in three categories in accordance with its ‘maximum take-off weight’ (PMD):

No matter which class a RPA must have a third party insurance policy. Flights in urban areas are prohibited unless if a flight plan is previously approved by ANAC. Please see reference to DECEA guidance in section 26 of this questionnaire.

UAS used for civil defense or military use does not require previous approval from ANAC as they are subject only to DECEA’s control. Although ANAC is in charge of providing authorizations for the use of civil UAS only the airspace is always under the control of DECEA. Until now ANAC has not stablished a limit for insurance liability and the market has been defining its own rules for such insurance market.

A VANT should have a registered remote pilot who is direct liable for its operation. All pilots must have more than 18 years old. Pilots from Classes 1 and 2 must have a valid aeronautical medical certificate (CMA) and be licensed by ANAC. All remote pilots operating over 400 feet above ground level (AGL) or who operates RPAS in classes 1 or 2 should have license issued by ANAC. ANAC will establishes the appropriate license for each type of operation. There is no specific pilot requirement to UAS operating below 400 feet.

For RPA’s of class 3 operating below 400 feet AGL ANAC stablished a simple form of certification where the owner of a RPA will himself provide the necessary information in relation to its RPA through the ANAC’s website. There is no need for a specific pilot certification. It differs from a formal registration procedure and it has a more constitutive nature as the owner himself will provide the necessary information of the RPA instead of ANAC’s specific issuance of a certificate of registration.

For classes 1, 2 and 3 (the later only if above 400 feet) in addition to pilots registration as described in section 7 herein all remoted pilot aircraft (RPA) should be registered with the Brazilian Aeronautical Registry. Each RPA will have an experimental registration certificate or a certificate of registration, as applicable.

Local nominal fees apply for the issuance of the certificates required to license RPAS (UAS) and to remote pilots certification.

A certificate of airworthiness is required for UAS from classes 1 and 2 and for class 3 if flying above 400 feet. In class 3 a certificate of airworthiness for a UAS flying in visual line of sight (VLOS) below 400 feet is not applicable however even if in class 3 and below 400 feet AGL a certificate of airworthiness is required if the UAS operates beyond visual line of sight.

Market sale of drones is not regulated in Brazil. Local manufacturers should follow specific rules listed in Part E of RBAC-E 94 (please see section 16).

There is no specific requirements for areas of financial strength and related to nationality ownership. The owner of a UAS must follow registration requirements stablished in RBAC-E 94, ANATEL and DECEA (ICA 100-4).

Drone transport is not allowed in Brazil.

Data & Privacy Protection of UAS follows general rules for data and privacy protection in Brazil applicable to all types of data and privacy information. ANAC has not issued any specific rule. It will be from manufacturer’s own criteria to protect such information.

Brazilian airspace is controlled by DECEA. Military interference is always authorized to safeguard airspace. ANAC’s website has a channel of communication for any reports by third parties.

Yes. Subpart E of the Brazilian regulation RBAC-E 94 lists all necessary regulations manufacturers should follow to obtain ANAC’s approval. ANATEL is in charge of radiofrequency regulations in Brazil and also rules the specific characteristics which manufacturer’s should follow for UAS operation in Brazil.

A foreign UAS is subject to the same procedures of local UASs and must be registered with ANAC and follow ANATEL’s and DECEA’s rules. A UAS which is only registered in a foreign country is not authorized to be operated in Brazil. ANAC forbids international flights with UAS.

No

Yes with ANAC.

The owner.

If owner is an individual it should register the UAS in its name and send necessary identities required by ANAC for registration. If owner is a company it should send its corporate documents to ANAC.

Yes. The same Brazilian regulation RBAC-E 94 stablishes all requirements for maintenance registration of a UAS. Maintenance should follow the specifications and instructions of UAS manufacturer.

As previously mentioned in section 6 there are three classes of UAS in accordance with their PMD (as defined below) as follow:

(1) Class 1: RPA with PMD above 150 kg;

(2) Class 2: RPA with PMD above 25 kg and below or equal to 150 kg; and

(3) Class 3: RPA with PMD below or equal 25 kg.

* PMD = Maximum takeoff weight.

* RPAS = Remotely-Piloted Aircraft System

* RPS = Remote Pilot Station.

* BVLOS = Beyond Visual Line of Sight

* VLOS = Visual Line of Sight

* EVLOS = Extended Visual Line of Sight

* AGL = Above Ground Level

(a) Register Certificate, Certificate of Registration or Experimental Registration Flight, as applicable;

(b) Special Certificate of Airworthiness valid or an Authorization Certificate for Experimental Flight (CAVE) valid, if applicable;

(c) flight plan;

(d) insurance policy or insurance certificate including proof of payment, valid, if applicable;

(e) document including risk analysis more specifically described in the E94 regulation; and

(f) license and extract of valid Medical Aeronautic Certificate (CMA) as more particularly described in the RBAC-E94.

(i) third parties insurance policy certificate, except public security and/or civil defense departments;

(ii) experimental registration certificate or certificate of registration;

(iii) authorization certificate for experimental flights or special airworthiness certificate;

(iv) document including risk analysis referred in paragraphs E94.103(f)(2) and E94.103(g)(2); and

(v) flight manual.

With due observance of section 23 and any DECEA rules there is no specific facilities unless the RPA is included in classes 1 and 2.

Generally UAS are prohibited in urban areas unless if previously authorized by local aviation authority.

DECEA guidance stipulates that flights considered in UAS under Class 3 should fly below 100 feet (30m AGL) and always keeping at least 30m distance vertical from third parties and 30m horizontal from buildings in urban areas unless third people or owners of such buildings have authorized closer flights. Still in Class 3 and following DECEA’s guidance flights above 200 feet may interfere in helicopter flights so a flight plan should be obtained. Finally, flights over 400 feet may risk aircraft navigation so a ‘Notice to Airmen’ (NOTAM) should be obtained together with the local aviation authority including a segregated airspace for operation. UASs included in classes 1 or 2 should obtain specific authorization flights as other commercial and civil aircraft.

In addition to the DECEA guidance described in section 26 airspaces over safety areas including but not limited to penitentiaries, state buildings, military installation, critical infrastructures such as thermal power plants, energy stations, airports and heliports are considered banned.

DECEA (‘Air Space Control Department’).

Third party insurance certificate should be hired in accordance with section 23 herein. There is no specific rules for loss or damage to cargo.

Third party insurance certificate should be hired in accordance with section 23 herein.

ANAC has a channel in its website to report accidents and incidents. Authorities in Brazil have been discussing strategies to hire or develop a system to try to control the operation of UAS principally around banned areas.

Please refer to section 31.

Yes depending on the class of UAS as more particularly described in section 23.

It is mandatory to insure third parties liabilities. All other insurances are optional.

The BNDES (Brazilian National Bank of Economic and Social Development) has been authorizing the use of the BNDES card for purchase of specific licensed drones in Brazil. The FINEP (Finance of Research and Innovation) has invested in the sector since 2009.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.