UAE GCAA Issues New Regulation on Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Analysis

On 29 September 2016, the GCAA issued the new Civil Aviation Regulation (CAR) Part IV - "Unmanned Aircraft System" (CAR UAS). CAR UAS entered into force and became applicable from 1 October 2016.

Key features

• Applies to commercial and non-commercial operations (which includes use by government entities and commercial entities for non-remuneration flights), other than for recreational uses

• Operators are required to hold an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Operator Certificate (UOC)

• Operators are to maintain third party liability insurance with a combined single limit of at least AED2,000,000

• All UAS incidents and accidents must be reported by the operator via the GCAA's Reporting of Safety Incident (ROSI) platform

• Design of the UAS must be approved by the General Civil Aviation Authority of the United Arab Emirates (GCAA)

Background