Important

Remotely operated hobby or toy aircraft and drone flying rules:

• • Do not, through act or omission, endanger the safety of any aircraft or person therein or any person or property through the negligent operation of any drone or remotely piloted aircraft, or model aircraft.
• • Fly or operate a drone or remotely piloted aircraft, toy or model aircraft 50 m or closer to:
• • any person or group of persons, on sports fields, road races, at schools or any social events.
• • any property without permission from the property owner.

Unless approved by the SACAA, do not fly or operate a drone, remotely piloted aircraft, toy or model aircraft:

• • near manned aircraft.
• • 10km or closer to an aerodrome which includes an airport, helipad or airfield.
• • a drone that weighs more than 7 kilograms (15.4 pounds), for which you don’t have a license.
• • in controlled airspace.
• • in restricted airspace.
• • in prohibited airspace.

Do not fly or operate a drone or remotely piloted aircraft, toy or model aircraft higher than (120m) 400 ft from the ground, unless approved by the Director of Civil Aviation of the SACAA.

General Basic Drone Flying Rules to which you must adhere:

• • You may not fly a drone within 10km of an airport.
• • You may not fly nearer than 50 metres from people, buildings or roads.
• • You may not fly a drone higher than 120m (400 feet).
• • ‘Hobby’ drones must be flown in within the line of sight.
• • Drones may not be flown at night.

Always fly your drone within your line of sight and below the highest obstacle in your vicinity.

For more information please see:

https://drone-laws.com/drone-laws-in-south-africa/