Flying Drone and taking an aerial photo could be exciting but there are specific Drones rules and regulation in Bhutan.
You need to follow this rule before flying a drone in Bhutan.
Bhutan is a mountainous country that lies along with the Terrance of the Himalayas, it covers over 60% of the forest including different flora and fauna.
Why Bhutan is the best place to fly a Drone?
UAV aerial footage can be amazing in Bhutan and most of the tourists, who is visiting Bhutan, are mostly content creators, bloggers and News reporters.
To make their content viewers attractive they implement aerial footage in their work.
This Blog provides exclusive guidelines on Drones rules and regulation in Bhutan
Drones rules and regulations in Bhutan
In Bhutan, the use of drones is regulated by the Bhutan Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA). According to the BCAA’s regulations, all drones must be registered with the BCAA and must be operated in accordance with the rules and regulations set by the authority.
Here are some key rules for operating drones in Bhutan:
- Drones must be flown within the operator’s visual line of sight at all times. This means that the operator must be able to see the drone with their own eyes and maintain control of the drone at all times.
- Drones must not be flown over crowds or public events. This is to ensure the safety of people on the ground and to prevent any accidents or disruptions.
- Drones must not be flown higher than 400 feet (120 meters) above ground level. This is to ensure the safety of other aircraft in the area and to prevent any potential collisions.
- Drones must not be flown within 5 kilometers (3 miles) of an airport or other restricted airspace. This is to ensure the safety of other aircraft in the area and to prevent any potential collisions.
- Drones must not be flown in a reckless or negligent manner that endangers the safety of people or property. This means that the operator must take care to avoid flying the drone in a way that could cause harm to others or damage to property.
- Drones must not be used for commercial purposes without prior approval from the BCAA. If you want to use a drone for commercial purposes (such as for aerial photography or surveying), you must first obtain permission from the BCAA.
- Drones must be registered with the BCAA and must display the registration number on the drone. This helps to ensure that all drones in Bhutan are accounted for and are being operated safely and legally.
Do you need to register your Drone before flying?
Yes, of course, you need to register your drone and obtain a drone permit, it’s mandatory.
BCCA allows drones weighing 6kg (including battery and camera).
The drone operator needs to visit the flight operation or legal section, BCCA office Paro Airport for registration.
Recently, BCCA has lifted a ban on UAVs or drones with strict regulations. Pilots should submit a certification that they have enough experience and technical knowledge and need to provide drones specification.
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It’s important to follow these regulations to ensure the safety of people and property, and to maintain the integrity of Bhutan’s airspace. If you have any questions about the regulations, you should contact the BCAA for more information.
