Before you fly your drone

There was an era during which the word ‘drones’ evoked images of militaries and airstrikes. The power of drone technology is now being used for good as well. In the last decade, Ghana has seen an increase in the use of drones. Before, it was largely used by photographers to capture aerial views for their art. Now, it is being used in different fields. Eg: drones are used in healthcare for things like delivery of drugs to remote areas and collecting of covid tests. Whatever use drones are put to, it must conform to the laws and regulation governing drone use.

?Your toddler doesn’t need approval (except from you) to fly her balloon or kite outside but, before you deploy your drone for that exciting test flight above your neighbour’s house, ask yourself, ‘what would GCAA say?’ Drone use is regulated by the Air Traffic Control (ATC) Office of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). The directives on remotely piloted aircraft systems (‘the directives’) set out the requirements for the operation of unmanned aircrafts including model aircrafts. The GCAA is seized with the power to ensure that anyone operating a drone within Ghana’s airspace has the appropriate authorization and also acting within the ambit of the law. Drones are called RPAs (Remotely Piloted Aircrafts) and are categorized as

1. Small RPAS: Unmanned aircraft with maximum take-off weight up to 1.5 kg, and shall be flown only within the visual line of sight of the pilot.

2. Light RPAS: Unmanned aircraft with maximum take-off weight of more than 1.5 kg but less than or equal to 7 kg, and shall be flown only within the visual line of sight of the pilot (VLOS).

3. Large RPAS: Unmanned aircraft with maximum take-off weight of more than 7 kg which shall be flown either within the VLOS of the pilot or beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) of the pilot with prior authorization of the Authority.

The size of your drone will determine what distance you can fly it to and whether it needs to be within your line of sight, once you have received authorization.

Drones may be used for commercial or private/recreational purposes. For either purpose, you must apply for written approval from the GCAA using the requisite form. Once the assigned GCAA officer approves your application, your drone will be registered and marked. There is a scheme of fees which you will be directed to pay as applies to your drone. The approval is valid for one year and needs to be renewed annually.

The person operating the drone is treated as a pilot and also needs a permit from the GCAA. They must be 18 years or older and hold a current Medical Class III Certificate. Such a permit will enable the operator to fly the specified RPAS within the Republic of Ghana subject to certain conditions. No RPA may fly above 400 feet without authorization from the GCAA. An already authorized operator needs special authorization to fly their drone at night, carry goods with the drone, fly it across borders, among other restrictions. The permit is valid for one year and is renewable annually.??

For commercial drone use, the pilot must attach a cover Letter on their company letterhead to the application form for the license. The applicant will be taken through the application approval process. The Applicant must then pay the appropriate charges, depending on the weight category of the drones they are operating. At the end of the approval process, the applicant may be issued or denied the RPAS Pilot or RPAS Pilot Instructor License as applicable

Given the increased use of drones in Ghana in various industries, the GCAA will need to step forward and enforce the requirements to ensure that all drone use is legal and not interfering with everyday life and security.