Unmanned Aircraft Systems

General Information

Definitions:

“Unmanned Aircraft Systems” (UAS) 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, operated at approved SAMAA airfields only.

Acceptable uses of UAS

For private use –

(a) The RPAS may only be used for an individual’s personal and private purposes where there is no commercial outcome, interest or gain;

(b) The pilot must observe all statutory requirements relating to liability, privacy and any other laws enforceable by any other authorities.

For all other use –

  1. the UA must first be approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority for use by way of an UAS Letter of Authority;
  2. all UAS must be registered by the South African Civil Aviation Authority prior to use;
  3. an RPAS may only be operated in terms of Part 101 of the South African Civil Aviation Regulations which includes specific requirements that the operator shall hold a Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operating Certificate (UASOC)
Dangers of negligent operation of an UAS:

Collision with other aircraft, with possible fatal results

  1. Collision with other aircraft, with possible fatal results
  2. Injury to the public
  3. Damage to people’s property
  4. Legal liability for breaking laws such as privacy by-laws and other laws enforceable by other authorities.
Do’s and Don’ts

DON’TS

DO NOT, through act or omission, endanger the safety of another aircraft or person therein or any person or property through negligent flying/operation of Remotely Piloted Aircraft, or toy aircraft.

Do not fly/operate Unmanned Aircraft, or toy aircraft 50 m or closer from:

  1. Any person or group of persons (like sports field, road races, schools, social events, etc.)
  2. Any property without permission from the property owner.

Unless approved by the SACAA, DO NOT fly/operate Remotely Piloted Aircraft or toy aircraft:

  1. Near manned aircraft
  2. 10 km or closer to an aerodrome (airport, helipad, airfield)
  3. Weighing more than 7 kg
  4. In controlled airspace
  5. In restricted airspace
  6. In prohibited airspace.
  7. Adjacent to or above a nuclear power plant, prison, police station, crime scene, court of law, national key point or strategic installation
  8. Over property for which you do not have permission to do so

Do not fly/operate Remotely Piloted Aircraft, or toy aircraft higher than 150 ft from the ground, unless approved by the Director of Civil Aviation of the SACAA.

DO’S

  1. Fly/operate RPA or toy aircraft in a safe manner, at all times.
  2. Remotely Piloted Aircraft or toy aircraft should remain within the visual line of sight at all times.
  3. Fly/operate RPA in daylight and clear weather conditions.
  4. Inspect your aircraft before each flight.

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 (SAAMA), www.samaa.org.za.

Contact Details

UAS department – rpasInbox@caa.co.za

Legislation

​Regulations and Technical Standards 

The Minister of Transport signed the Eight amendment of the Civil Aviation Regulations, 2011. The amendment which contains Part 101: Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems came into operation on the 1st of July 2015. To view the Part 101 Regulations and Technical Standards, please visit the Legislation page.

Enquiries

UAS enquiries should be emailed to rpasInbox@caa.co.za.

Pilot Licensing, Instructor Rating and Training

​Prior to making any application with SACAA, you will be required to obtain aviation training at an approved training organisation (ATO).

Prior Requirements
Pilot Licences

The following requirements are compulsory.

  1. An applicant should not be less than 18 years of age
  2. Applicants must hold current medical assessments
  3. An ATO for training must be identified
  4. Foreign theoretical training will be approved and validated (ASK)
  5. Only successful completion will be accepted
  6. Applicants must pass the RPL practical assessment
  7. Applicants must also pass Radiotelephony Examination
  8. Achieved English Language Proficiency (ELP) level 4 or higher.
  9. All applications must be submitted to the SACAA.

* See Part 101 Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs) and Civil Aviation Technical Standards (CATS) for complete list of requirements

Instructor Ratings
  1. Remote Pilots will apply to the SACAA for Instructor Ratings.
  2. Remote Pilot Instructors will apply to the SACAA for Designation as Remote Pilot Examiners.
Credits

Prior learning will be recognised and applies to and including the following:

A person who holds or has held:

  1. A Pilot Licence.
  2. A military qualification equivalent to a licence and rating; or
  3. An air traffic control licence, or a military qualification equivalent to an air traffic control licence.
  4. Commercial air unmanned aircraft operations experience
    • Prior to making any application with SACAA, you will be required to obtain aviation training at an approved training organisation (ATO).
    • The RPAS training course is provided by SACAA approved training organisations that have basic RPAS Training on their Operators Certificate.
    • People with no aviation experience through to experienced aviators have the option of gaining a RPAS Pilot Licence that is focused entirely on the operation of a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS)

* UAS training in South Africa is still in its infancy, as it is globally. The South African Civil Aviation Authority is working closely with industry to develop the training standards, syllabus and resources necessary for the industry to expand and grow professionally.

Upon completion

The course is competency based and comprises of a combination of theory and practical training. Upon successful completion of the course, the provider will apply to SACAA for a Remote Pilot Licence (RPL).

ATO

For information relating to Training Organisations, visit the Training pages of our website.

Sale and resale of UAS

General

A seller has an obligation of informing a buyer of regulatory requirements of flying UAS in South Africa. A seller has to, by way of a packaging label, or in the case of the resale thereof, by way of written notification, notify the buyer of the requirements as prescribed in Document SA-CATS 101.

Information notice sample:

Operations as a hobbyist are subject to the terms of Part 94, whereas private use is restricted in terms of Part 101 of the Civil Aviation Regulations.

For private use –

  1. The UAS may only be used for an individual’s personal and private purposes where there is no commercial outcome, interest or gain;
  2. The UAS may only be operated over property for which the operator has ownership or permission;
  3. The UAS can only be used in Restricted Visual Line of Sight which means within 500m of the pilot, and never to exceed the height of the highest obstacle within 300m of the pilot, during which the pilot can maintain direct unaided visual contact with the device to manage its flight and collision avoidance; and
  4. The pilot must observe all statutory requirements relating to liability, privacy and any other laws enforceable by any other authorities.

For all other use –

  1. the UAS must first be approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority for use by way of an UAS Letter of Authority;
  2. all UAS must be registered by the South African Civil Aviation Authority prior to use;
  3. an UAS may only be operated in terms of Part 101 of the South African Civil Aviation Regulations which includes specific requirements that the operator shall hold a UASOC (Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operating Certificate)

See Private Operations below for more information regarding private operations.

Private Operations

Definitions:

Private operation – means the use of an UAS 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 UA, which the remote pilot maintains direct unaided visual contact with the UAS to manage its flight and meet separation and collision avoidance responsibilities;

General
  1. It is the full responsibility of the remote pilot of the UAS to fly his/her aircraft safely and not endanger safety of another aircraft, any person or property.
  2. 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 UAS:

  1. Private operations of UAS shall be conducted:
    1. only in R-VLOS (day and night)
    2. with a Class 1A or 1B UAS (mass < 7 kg, Impact energy* < 15 kJ)
  2. Do not fly UAS:
    1. Near manned aircraft
    2. 10 km or closer to an aerodrome (airport, helipad or airfield)
    3. In controlled, restricted or prohibited
    4. Adjacent to or above a nuclear power plant, prison, police station, crime scene, court of law, national key point or strategic installation
  3. Do not fly UAS 50m or closer from:
    1. Any person or group of persons (like sport fields, road races, stadiums, schools, social events, etc.)
    2. Public road
    3. Any property without permission from property owner
    4. Do not release dispense, drop, deliver or deploy any object or substance from a UAS
    5. Only fly UAS in clear weather conditions

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 promotional brochure and flyer regarding the operation of UAS here.

Registration of UAS

Guidelines for registration transactions of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)

In accordance with Part 101.02.4(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations, 2011, No remotely UAS shall be operated within the Republic of South Africa, unless such UAS has been issued with a certificate of registration by the Director.

How to register UAS

Applicant should fill the following form, depending on the intent:

  • Form CA-47R1 – application for new registration of the UAS.
  • Form CA-47R2 – for change of ownership.
  • Form CA-47R3 – for deletion due to accident or export.
  • Form CA-47R4 – amendment of C of R due to change of company name, change of address, or change of manufacturer’s name.
  • Form CA-47R5 – for duplicate C of R as a result of being lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed.

These forms may be obtained from the Airworthiness Forms Page of the website.

Note:

The original application must be submitted to the SA Civil Aviation Authority, Aircraft Registry, Ikhaya Lokundiza, Building 16, Treur Close, Waterfall Park, Bekker Street, Midrand, OR mailed by registered mail to Private Bag X73, Halfway House 1685.

New Registration of UAS on SACAR:

The new owner must complete and sign the Form CA-47R1. The new owner/applicant should then submit the original application to the SACAA, accompanied by the applicable supporting documents set out on page 4 of form, as well as the prescribed fee.

Change of ownership:

The SELLER (or present registered owner) of a South African registered aircraft will notify the SACAA of the transfer of ownership by completing and signing the Form CA-47R2. The seller should return the complete Form CA-47R2 within 30 days after the sale of aircraft.

The BUYER/ NEW OWNER applies for registration of aircraft in his name by completing the Form on the Form CA-47R1. The NEW OWNER should then submit the complete original application to the SACAA, accompanied by the applicable supporting documents set out on page 4 of Form CA-47R1, as well as the prescribed fee within 30 days after the sale of the aircraft.

Note:

Both forms CA47-R1 Seller AND CA47-2 Buyer/new owner) should be submitted simultaneously within 30 days after the sale of the aircraft.

Deletion of aircraft after an accident UAS:

The presently registered owner of the said aircraft must kindly complete and sign Form CA-47R3 and forward it to the SACAA, accompanied by the original last Certificate of Registration and a RLA Letter of Approval.

Deletion for export:

The registered owner has to complete and sign form

CA-47R3 accompanied by the supporting documents as set on the bottom of the form, together with the prescribed fee.

(Please note that the original Certificate of Registration and the original RLA Letter of Approval) must also be submitted to the SACAA.

Amendment of Certificate of Registration:

The present registered owner of the UAS has to complete and sign Form CA-47R4 accompanied by the supporting documents as set out on the bottom of the form, together with the amendment fee.

Duplicate of Certificate of Registration UAS: 

As a result of being lost, damaged or destroyed, the present registered owner must complete and sign the Form CA-47R5. Submit the original Form to the SACAA accompanied by the duplicate fee.

Information for owners and operators

Applicability

Part 101 is applicable to UAS operated for the purpose of:

  • Commercial operations
  • Corporate operations
  • Non-profit operations
  • Private Operations

The following are excluded:

  • Autonomous unmanned aircraft
  • Unmanned free balloons
  • Aircraft operated in terms of Part 94
  • Model aircraft
  • Toy aircraft
UAS Operations Versus Required Approval
Required Approval Commercial Operation Corporate Operation Non-profit Operation Private Operation
ASL
Yes
N/A
N/A
N/A
UASOC
Yes
Yes
Yes
N/A
RLA
Yes
Yes
Yes
N/A
RPL
Yes
Yes
Yes
N/A
C of R
Yes
Yes
Yes
N/A
NOTE: RMT is required for maintenance on RPAS classified as class 3 and higher

Abbreviations:

  • ASL – Air Service Licence
  • UASOC – Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operating Certificate
  • RLA – RPAS Letter of Approval
  • RPL – Remote Pilot Licence
  • CofR – Certificate of Registration
  • RMT – RPAS Maintenance Technician
UAS Classification

* Refer to Regulation 101.01.3 and Document SA-CATS 101 for grouping and classification of RPAS.
Go to Legislation to view Regulations.

UAS classification parameters

Classification of UAS is achieved through four parameters;

  1. Mass of an UAS
  2. Impact velocity of an UAS (this value has to be converted to an impact energy of the UAS)
  3. Height above ground level
  4. Flight rules

Determination of UAS impact energy

Refer to APPENDIX B of Technical Guidance Material (TGM) for UAS Part 101 for instructions and example of how to determine impact energy of an UAS. 

Rules of Flight

Radio line-of-sight (RLOS)

RLOS means a direct electronic point-to-point contact between a transmitter and receiver. See appendix C for illustration diagrams. The following options are available for RLOS:

  • R-VLOS
  • VLOS
  • EVLOS
  • BVLOS

See APPENDIX C of Technical Guidance Material (TGM) for UAS Part 101 pictorial view of RLOS flight rules. 

NOTE: Currently, UAS operations are limited to RLOS operations. Beyond radio line-of-sight (BRLOS) is reserved for future use

Accidents and Incidents

The purpose of investigation of an accident or incident is, subject to section 12 of the Act, to determine, in terms of the provisions of this part, the facts of an accident or incident in the interest of the promotion of aviation safety and the reduction of the risk of aviation accidents or incidents, and not to establish legal liability. Once accident investigations are concluded a report is compiled in the interest of promoting aviation safety.

What has to be reported to the SACAA?

All accidents and incidents involving an UAS shall be reported as prescribed in Part 12, where there is –.

  1. any injury or death to a person;
  2. damage to property; or
  3. destruction of the UAS beyond economical repair.

Note: All incidents involving an UAS where loss of control occurred shall be reported to the holder of the UAS Operators Certificate.

The SACAA website has a list of investigators on standby who should be contacted should an accident or incident occur.

Airspace

DO NOT

Through act or omission, endanger the safety of another aircraft or person therein or any person or property through negligent flying/operation of unmanned aircraft, or toy aircraft.

Do not fly/operate UAS, or toy aircraft 50 m or closer from:

  1. Any person or group of persons (like sports field, road races, schools, social events, etc.)
  2. Any property without permission from the property owner.

Unless approved by the SACAA, DO NOT fly/operate UAS or toy aircraft:

  1. Near manned aircraft
  2. 10 km or closer to an aerodrome (airport, helipad, airfield)
  3. Weighing more than 7 kg
  4. In controlled airspace
  5. In restricted airspace
  6. In prohibited airspace.

Do not fly/operate UAS, or toy aircraft higher than 150 ft from the ground, unless approved by the Director of Civil Aviation of the SACAA.

DO’S

  1. Fly/operate UAS or toy aircraft in a safe manner, at all times.
  2. UAS or toy aircraft should remain within the visual line of sight at all times.
  3. Fly/operate UAS in daylight and clear weather conditions.
  4. Inspect your aircraft before each flight.

The user should ensure that they are aware of the airspace that they intend to operate in.

Airworthiness

Visit the Airworthiness Pages to view a register that presents a list of SACAA approved RPAS System Safety.

UAS Maintenance and Engineers

UAS Maintenance

Applicants should maintain the UAS in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions whether it is through actions or inspections. The maintenance programme has to be submitted to the SACAA for Directors approval. See Technical Guidance Material (TGM) for Maintenance programme for more information. 

Maintenance Engineers

Application

  • Applicant submits application form CA-101-RLA with appropriated fee.

Pre-requisites, an application should:

  1. Be no less than 18 years of age
  2. Be a South African citizen or in possession of a valid permanent residence permit or valid temporary work permit with a letter of employment
  3. Have successfully completed appropriate training, provided by (i) an organization approved by the competent authority in the country where the training organization is located; (ii) training provided by an approved original equipment manufacturer, or (iii) a training facility approved by the Director, or
  4. Demonstrate the ability to perform maintenance functions where no training for the particular UAS is offered or available.

Requirements

  • RMT requirements.

Upon successful completion a UAS Maintenance Technician Letter of Authorization will be issued.

UAS Forms

  • For Part 101 Licensing forms, please visit the Personnel Licensing page.
  • For Part 101 Operator’s Certificate forms, please visit the Flight Operations page (Aerial Work).
  • For Part 47 Aircraft Registration forms, please visit the Airworthiness page.
  • For Part 101 Airworthiness forms, please visit the Airworthiness page.