Drone Regulations: Mexico

Yes. They are considered as aircraft: RPAS (Remote Piloted Aircraft Systems) or RPA (Remote Piloted Aircraft).

The Ministry of Communications and Transportation (Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Tranportes) through the General Bureau of Civil Aeronautics (Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil) (“DGAC”) under the Civil Aviation Law (Ley de Aviación Civil) and mandatory rules “CO AV23/10 R4” issued by the DGAC.

Yes. State RPAS and RPA include military, police, border patrol, marine patrol, among others and are regulated through the provisions established on article 37 of the Civil Aviation Law. Private RPAS are classified by a weight and type of use criteria and are regulated through mandatory rules “CO AV23/10 R4”.

Yes, the regulation distinguishes recreational private RPA, non-recreational private RPA, and commercial RPA.

Yes. Mandatory rules “CO AV23/10 R4” only applies to remotely-piloted RPA. Autonomous aircraft (UAS) and RPA operated indoors are not regulated by mandatory rules “CO AV23/10 R4”.

Through mandatory rules “CO AV23/10 R4”.

Yes. These mandatory rules “CO AV23/10 R4” establish 1 (one) pilot per RPA; however, crew per RPA is also considered for other operation-related aspects of RPAS.

Procedures to obtain RPAS licenses are established on mandatory rules “CO AV23/10 R4”. Requirements depend on the size (light or small, medium and heavy) of the RPA. Also, registration within the DGAC depends on the RPA characteristics.

Yes. There are fees for licensing and registration.

A Certificate of Airworthiness can be required depending on the RPA characteristics and use (i.e., heavy RPAS for commercial use).

Yes. Mandatory rules “CO AV23/10 R4” are aimed for all entities and people willing to operate an RPAS under commercial, recreational private, and non-recreational private scopes.

No limitation exists to ownership as long as the RPA is registered with the Mexican Aeronautic Registry.

No. Mandatory rules “CO AV23/10 R4” do not regulate RPA as transportation aircraft/vehicles; however, RPAS are authorized to operate with load and/or cargo onboard.

Yes, there is the Electronic Registry of RPAS (Registro Electrónico de RPAS) at the Mexican Aeronautic Registry, regulated through the Law on Transparency and Access to Information (Ley de Transparencia y Acceso a la Información).

There is no specific regulation; however, communication interference in general is regulated in the General Communications Law (Ley de Vías Generales de Comunicación).

Mandatory rules number “CO AV23/10 R4” establish that Mexican RPAS manufacturers must register and notify the DGAC and/or the Ministry of Communications and Transportation of RPAS sold with a take-off weight exceeding 250 grams.

Foreign RPAS operators and foreign registered RPAS cannot operate in Mexico unless a bilateral agreement between Mexico and the foreign country exists. Foreign registered RPAS to operate for scientific purposes must apply for a special permit before the Ministry of Defense (Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional).

RPAS fares or pricing are not regulated.

Yes. RPAS must be registered with the Mexican Aeronautic Registry.

RPAS’ manufacturer and owner.

No

No

On a general basis, RPAS are only allowed to fly “G” (golf) airspace, under visual flight rules (VFR), in places (whether they are open or closed) where 12 (twelve) people or less are met, and under 10 nautical miles out of any airport or aerodrome. Also, RPAS pilots must operate the RPAS on a line-sight-view (línea de vista). Under special authorization, RPAS can perform night and instrumental flight rules (IFR) operations. Further limitations must be observed depending on the size, use, and/or characteristics of the RPAS.

Mandatory rules “CO AV23/10 R4” do not establish specific facilities for take-off or landing.

RPAS are permitted to operate within “G” (Golf) airspace. If the specifications and the characteristics of the RPAS allow it, access to “D” (Delta) airspace can be permitted prior to authorization and coordination with the air traffic control entity in charge of such airspace.

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.

RPAS are banned from all prohibited, restricted, and dangerous zones as established in aeronautical information publications (also known as AIP) in Mexico, section ENR 5.1.

Air traffic control services for RPAS are provided by Servicios a la Navegación en el Espacio Aéreo Mexicano (SENEAM), which is the Mexican governmental body in charge of providing air traffic control services on all controlled airspaces in Mexico.

Mandatory rules “CO AV23/10 R4” provide that RPAS must have insurance covering damages against third parties. There is no specific regulation on cargo related operations.

Mandatory rules “CO AV23/10 R4” provide that RPAS must have insurance covering damages against third parties.

There is no accident or incident reporting system for RPAS in Mexico.

There are no specific systems or procedures for the investigation of RPA accidents. The DGAC is in charge of all air accident investigations.

Yes. Mandatory rules “CO AV23/10 R4” establish that the RPAS must have insurance covering damages against third parties.

The RPA.

No.

N/A.

N/A.

N/A.