Colombia Civil Aeronautics issued a circular that regulates the operation of drones in Colombia, technically identified as Remotely Piloted Aircraft, RPA, and guarantees optimal levels of operational safety.
Circular No.002 establishes a series of provisions and requirements that must be met by operators of this type of equipment. Among the outstanding points are that the maximum allowed weight of each RPA is 25 kilograms (of greater weight its civil operation would be prohibited), that they must be equipped with autopilot and have GPS, their engine must not generate excess noise or pollution, their propellers can not be metallic and they must have a nameplate with the name of the operator so that, in case of incident or violation of the norm, it can be recognized.
The circular also states that the RPAs will not be able to fly over congested areas, buildings or agglomerations of people, during weather conditions of strong winds or without visual flight, at night or operate within a radius of 1.8 kms from government institutions, political headquarters, military and police installations and prison centers, among others. T
ampoco must fly at a height greater than 152 meters or more than 750 meters away from the operator or transport animals or elements such as weapons, hazardous materials, biological risk, psychoactive substances, among others.
The standard strictly protects the corridors (airspace) of manned aircraft in which the RPAs will not be able to operate, in order to avoid possible risks of collision and cause damage to the physical integrity, life and property of citizens.
Another outstanding issue of this circular is that whoever handles this type of aircraft, must have a minimum of 40 hours of flight in these equipment and 200 takeoffs or launches and landings, which may be certified by training centers endorsed by the Civil Aeronautics.
Applicants whose purposes are commercial exploitation, other than recreational and sports, will have to process the corresponding permits for their operation before the Directorate of Air Navigation Services of the Civil Aeronautics.
Any operation of an RPA without the required authorization or that violates the provisions of this circular, will constitute a punishable offense in accordance with the Sanctioning Regime contained in the Aeronautical Regulations of Colombia, without prejudice to the civil or criminal liability that may arise from these facts.
For the full text of the regulations, click here.
