Drone Regulations
26. Which airspaces are restricted for UAS?
Bahamas
The CAR OPS 4 does not provide standardized restrictions on the operations of RPA. 4.105 (c) provides that the operation specifications associated with the RPAS operator certificate shall contain at least the following information;
(1) the description of the types of operations authorised;
(2) the type(s) or model(s) of RPA authorised for use;
(3) the models and locations of RPS authorised for use;
(4) the authorised base of operations, segregated areas of operation, or segregated routes;
(5) limitations, including height (AGL) restrictions and obstacle proximity; and
(6) exemptions.
Typical operational restrictions to be included in an ROC are as follows:
1. The operator or pilot of an aircraft must ensure that the RPA stays clear of airspace above persons who have not given consent to the flight being conducted over them. They should avoid operating above property without prior consent from (1) any persons occupying that property; or (2) the property owner.
2. The operator or pilot of a RPA shall not operate over a crowd or congested area of persons even when consent has been obtained from the property owner. The operator or pilot must maintain a distance between the RPA and a person of at least 50 feet laterally and 100 feet vertically; which will not however apply to persons assisting in the launch or recovery of the RPA.
3. The operator or pilot of a RPA shall not operate that aircraft when the visibility is less than 1 statute mile and the base of the lowest clouds is less than 500 feet from the surface.
4. The operator or pilot of the RPA shall not operate the RPA higher than 400 feet from the surface.
5. The operator or pilot of the RPA shall not operate the RPA at night unless it is operated indoors or in a continuous shielded operation.
6. The operator or pilot of a RPA shall not operate the aircraft within 8 km of an aerodrome.
We note that permission may be given by Air Transport Licensing of CAA-B or The Bahamas Air Navigation Services Authority (“BANSA”) in special circumstances to operate the RPA outside the established parameters.
Bolivia
Please refer to our response on item 23.
Brazil
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.
Canada
Class A and Class B are prohibited. Operations in Class F restricted airspace are prohibited unless authorized by the SFOC.
Colombia
As we explained before, there are some spaces that have restrictions to operate. That is the case of airports, heliports, prisons, military and police bases, critical infrastructure and places in which are the president or any other chiefs of state are.
As well, there are some distances of land, water and clouds that must be respected.
Costa Rica
The areas near aerodromes are restricted, in a radius of 8 Km and an altitude of 400 meters above ground feet.
El Salvador
The airspaces mentioned in answer to question No. 23.
Germany
UAS or model aircraft weighing less than 5 kg must be kept within the operator’s visual line of sight at all times. They are not within the visual line of sight if the operator cannot see them without vision-enhancing devices or if he is not able to have an unobstructed view of the aircraft.
The operation of UAS or model aircraft with visual output devices like video glasses is not considered to be outside the visual line of sight if the aircraft is flown below 30 meters and
- Weights less than 0.25 kg, or
- The UAS is flown in another person’s visual line of sight who can make the operator aware of potential dangers.
The operation of UAS in controlled airspaces is only allowed if the maximum flight level is 50 meters. In addition, the operator has to apply for permission by the respective air traffic control.
In general, the operation of UAS above 100 meters is prohibited except for ______________
Guatemala
The restricted airspaces are over 400 feet AGL.
India
Please refer to our response to question 23 above.
Israel
No response.Italy
Pursuant to art. 24 of ENAC Regulation, no airspace restriction is provided within the following conditions: (i) VLOS/EVLOS operations: (ii) maximum height of 120 m AGL; (iii) MTOW lower than 25 kg.
Within and close to airport areas specific procedures established by ENAC must apply. Detailed information about the mentioned areas are available on the website www.d-flight.it.
Specialised operations not falling within the mentioned conditions can be performed under an ENAC authorisation within temporary or permanent restricted airspace.
Furthermore, ENAC can establish temporary “no-fly zone” on the basis of safety grounds.
Kenya
The Draft Regulations restrict operations of UAS from all areas that are published in the Kenya Aeronautical Information Publication as prohibited or restricted and danger areas. They also restrict UAS operations in or around the following areas except in accordance with the conditions of the restrictions or by permission granted by the KCAA[38]:
a) strategic installations;
b) ANS facilities;
c) high tension cables and communication masts;
d) prisons;
e) police stations;
f) courts of law;
g) scenes of crime;
h) schools; and
i) hospitals.
[38] Regulation 26 of the Draft Civil Aviation (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) Regulations, 2019
Mexico
RPAS are permitted to operate within “G” (Golf) airspace. “D” (Delta) airspace can be permitted (see question 25). Further access to other airspace must be requested to the air traffic control entity in charge of such airspace. Visual corridors are also restricted to RPAS but can be accessed prior to air traffic control authorization.
Nicaragua
The airspace above 100 feet.
Norway
We refer to the answer given to question No 23 above.
Pakistan
Please refer to our answer to question 25.
Panama
Airspaces type A, C, D or E are restricted for RAPs and its operators unless they have authorization from the AAC.
Philippines
See answer on item no. 23.
Portugal
The same ones established for model aircrafts.
Puerto Rico
FAA restrictions apply. Under 14 CFR § 99.7 — Special Security Instructions (SSI), has prohibited all UAS flights within the airspace defined under UAS NOTAM FDC7/7282.
The restrictions extend from the ground up to 400 feet AGL, apply to all types and purposes of UAS flight operations, and remain in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) define a certain area of airspace where air travel is limited because of a temporary hazardous condition, such as a wildfire or chemical spill; a security-related event, such as the United Nations General Assembly; or other special situations.
Flying UAS in and around stadiums is prohibited starting one hour before and ending one hour after the scheduled time of any of the following events:
- Major League Baseball
- National Football League
- NCAA Division One Football
- NASCAR Sprint Cup, Indy Car, and Champ Series races
Specifically, UAS operations are prohibited within a radius of three nautical miles from a stadium or venue.
Recreational operators are required to give notice for flights within five miles of an airport to both the airport operator and air traffic control tower, if the airport has a tower. However, recreational operations are not permitted in Class B airspace around most major airports without specific air traffic permission and coordination.
Romania
The UAS are not permitted to fly outside the G class airspace. See also above answers.
South Africa
The following airspaces are restricted: above 400ft above the surface, within a radius of 10km from an aerodrome (airport, helipad, and airfield), and adjacent to or above a nuclear power plant, harbour, prison, police station, crime scene, court of law, national key point, or strategic installation.
Spain
For non-certified operations or if the relevant requirements of each operation are not met, Airspaces from A to E class would be restricted to civil UAS depending on the kind of aircraft and activity as described above. Therefore, if the Authorisation issued by the Spanish Aviation Authority foresees the possibility to fly these spaces the operation will be allowed. Also, those airspaces classified as “R” class, “D” (Dangerous), and those zones with sensitive wildlife will operate with the same manner for RPAS as for conventional aircrafts.
Switzerland
See Questions 23 and 24 above.
Turkey
Red Zones which are listed below are restricted for UAS operations:
- Airports and airspace within 9m radius from the edge of the runways (regardless of altitude)
- Airspace within 9m radius around navigation aids, heliports and -pads, airpark’s and take-off and landing areas on water announced on CAA’s web site (regardless of altitude)
- Airspace above AGL of 400 meters
- “Forbidden, Restricted and Dangerous Airspaces” set out in Turkish AIP (Aeronautical Information Publication) under Section ENR 5.1
- Airspace near to critical structures, facilities and assets such as military buildings and facilities, correctional facilities, fuel depots and stations, weapon and cartridge factories and warehouses
- Prohibited airspace via NOTAM (notice to airmen)
United Kingdom
As above.
United States of America
UAS operations (including public UAS, recreational UAS/model aircraft, and commercial UAS) are prohibited within the Security Sensitive Airspace defined under UAS NOTAM FDC 7/7282. The restrictions extend from the surface to 400 feet above ground level. UAS operations are prohibited in areas where a Temporary Flight Restriction (“TFR”) is in effect. A list of active TFRs is available at http://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html. There are also special restrictions related to the operation of UAS in and around certain stadiums and sporting events. Additionally, UAS operations are generally prohibited in airspace classified as prohibited, restricted or special use airspace. Special use airspace consists of “airspace of defined dimensions identified by an area on the surface of the earth wherein activities must be confined because of their nature, or wherein limitations are imposed upon aircraft operations that are not a part of those activities or both” (14 C.F.R. § 73.3 (2016)). UAS operators can use a smartphone app called B4UFLY (available in the App Store for iOS and Google Play Store for Android) to determine whether there are any restrictions or requirements in effect at the location where they want to operate their UAS.
Part 107 prohibits the operation of small UAS in Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport without prior authorization from Air Traffic Control. The FAA is in the process of deploying the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (“LAANC”), which “provides access to controlled airspace near airport through near real-time processing of airspace authorizations below approved altitudes in controlled airspace.” Additionally, operators may obtain a Part 107 waiver in order to operate in such airspace. In situations requiring both a waiver and an airspace authorization, the waiver process must be used in lieu of LAANC.
Recreational UAS operators operating under the Special Rule for Model Aircraft must give notice to both the airport operator and air traffic control tower (if the airport has a tower) for operations within five miles of an airport. Recreational UAS operations are not permitted in Class B airspace around most major airports (e.g., New York, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver) without specific air traffic permission and coordination. This includes heliports and sea-based airports. The airport operator can object to the proposed UAS model aircraft operation if the proposed operation would endanger the safety of the airspace. However, other than airports with Class B airspace, the airport operator cannot prohibit or prevent the model aircraft operator from operating within five miles of the airport.