SOUTH AFRICA: FIRST AFRICAN COUNTRY TO LEGALISE COMMERCIAL DRONES

South African Regulators Expect "An Explosive Growth" in Drones Sector, Other Commentators Say the Regulations are Too Rigorous

“There are tremendous application benefits in using this technology, and we do forecast that there will be a rapid growth, an explosive growth of this technology in South Africa,” said Subash Devkaran, Civil aviation Authority in South Africa. Before adding, “We need to prepare accordingly.” South Africa has become the first African country to legalise the use of commercial drones in the hope that it can benefit from the rapid growth of the sector. Drones are very versatile and are regularly used across a range of industries, but many countries have been slow to implement legislation regulating their use.

The new regulations for commercial drone use in South Africa are very rigorous (described by some as “ridculous“) and have set the bar very high. Drones must be approved and registered by the country’s Civil Aviation Authority and operators will have to possess a RPA pilot’s licence. They will also require a valid medical certification, English proficiency, and must pass a theory examination and skills test. The commercial license will be valid for 24 months, and holder’s must undergo revalidation 90 days prior to the expiry of the license. These tough conditions underpin the relative novelty of the industry, and the tendency to overregulate to ensure the highest level of safety.