What are the drone laws in Dubai?
As mentioned earlier, drone laws can be divided into two main categories i.e. commercial and recreational drones. However, there are some general rules that apply to the UAS of both categories.
122m max height
Register all drones
Don't fly near airports
Only line of sight
Dubai is an excellent destination for drone pilots and drone enthusiasts. Two public entities are involved in the drone registration process. General Civil Aviation Authority and Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) have strict laws for anyone flying drones. Both the authorities can issue permits.
Registrations slightly vary from emirate to emirate however, GCAA is trying to crack on any shops selling off drones as toys by exploiting the loopholes.
Yes, drones are legal in the UAE, but you need to follow some rules. First of all, make sure to contact the officials regarding drone flights and check their site if you're a traveler.
Drones are being used for two different purposes i.e. recreational and commercial activities. people who fly their drones just for the sake of fun fall under the recreational pilot category while those who intend to fly them for business and other professional reasons are categorized as commercial pilots.
There are rules for both recreational and commercial drones that you must follow accordingly. This article will guide you through and let you know what are the rules and regulations for flying drones in the United Arab Emirates.
Contact information
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA)
Website: https://www.gcaa.gov.ae/en/pages/default.aspx
Contact +97142111626
The authority of the GCAA covers all areas in Dubai.
Dubai Civil Aviation Authority
Website: https://www.dcaa.gov.ae/en/Pages/default.aspx
Contact +97147770599
As mentioned earlier, drone laws can be divided into two main categories i.e. commercial and recreational drones. However, there are some general rules that apply to the UAS of both categories.
Here are some rules and regulations that you will need to follow if you are going to fly just for the sake of fun:
If you wish to fly your drone for professional or commercial reasons, you will need to get a permit from the GCAA. Here are some general rules that you will need to follow:
Apart from the recreational and commercial drone rules, there are some general laws that need to be followed by everyone. Here they are:
Whenever you are going to fly your drone in the UAE you will need to obtain a certificate for it. The certificate is obtained by filling out an online form and providing the required documents. The applicant will have to pass a written exam in order to obtain the certificate.
The following steps need to be followed in order to apply for the GCAA certificate:
Using the app My Drone Hub, you can identify the areas that are restricted to drone flight. It is mainly aimed at recreational drone users. The app also helps with:
You need a UAE mobile number to properly operate this app. Another online website that shows all the no-fly zones here.
Start by filling out and completing the following form.
Here are the other attachments required:
In about 3 weeks there will be feedback on the position of your application.
The fine for not heeding the authority’s warning is anything from Dh2,000-
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DJI has surprised us with this incredible camera drone under 250g, which is legal to fly in most countries without registration.
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If you want more control over things like shutter speed, iso, and such, the best professional drone that still falls under the 500g category is the DJI Mavic Air.
It's made mostly for people who want to play around with settings and enter into the pro category.
DJI lowered its price since it was first released.
The best way to figure out what areas you can fly in, while you're here is by consulting DJI's official map.
They do a great job mapping the places that one should avoid while flying in every country:
These would be the current updated drone laws for UAE. I suggest checking my full map with all the countries' drone laws to see where it's best to travel.
If you are going to visit the U.A.E, make sure you’ve learned all the dos and don’ts of flying drones in this region. This will help you have a safe journey and enjoy flying your drone without getting yourself into trouble.
Also, keep in mind that, commercial and recreational drones are treated differently in most countries therefore you will need to prepare yourself accordingly. Last but not least, always follow rules and regulations and make sure to respect the laws of every country.
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