Laws to Use Drones in Dubai

Recently, Dubai has become a vibrant emirate of the United Arab Emirates. People are moving to Dubai for better job opportunities and investments. However, the use of drones has been largely witnessed in the corporate and private sectors. Earlier, those unmanned aerial aircraft were used only for weddings. 

But these days, the creativity to use drones has largely impacted Dubai’s real estate. Companies are hiring drone operators to make mesmerizing videos and capture the scenic beauty of those locations, so people should invest more in the property. Law and rules need to be understood first. There is no excuse for the unawareness or ignorance. 

Law can only be understood when you have a legal background or you consult good lawyers. Good lawyers are supposed to be the professional lawyers and legal consultants. The experts with proper legal knowledge and expertise. By the way Dubai lawyers are very famous for new laws and federal legal rules in United Arab Emirates. 

License for Drone

Can you fly a drone in the UAE? Yes, you can fly a drone. Knowing that you cannot fly a drone after an extent in the sky without a license is important. It does not have recreational uses, but it can also be helpful for commercial use and surveillance by the government. 

License requirements are grabbed from Dubai government entities. It is a direct process, legal assistance is not needed except if there is a restriction to be removed or court cases need to be closed. 

New law Established for Drones in the UAE

All drones must register and get divisions and airspace control from the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA). Under Law No. 10, DCAA is responsible for authorizing the use of drones in Dubai. As we said all the new laws and rules, can be checked with lawyers and legal consultants. 

Authority over Drone in Dubai

The DCCA’s decision to design drone aerodromes is coordinated with Dubai’s competent and concerned authorities. DCAA approves not only the engineering of designs but also standards and conditions for terminals for governmental and non-governmental uses. 

However, the structural design and engineering are developed with the contributions of competent authorities and the Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) team. 

What is an Aerodrome?

An aerodrome is a physical area created to park, land, take off, and maintain aircraft. The area is not barren. Towers, runways, annexed buildings, equipment, and devices nearby control the air traffic and guide the aircraft for smooth takeoffs and landings.   

Permission to Fly Drones in the Airspace

If you plan to fly a drone in the UAE, you will need DCAA’s permission. However, if aerodromes need to be changed, individuals must get permission from DCAA to do so. Moreover, you can only fuel drones if you get permission from DCAA. Learn more here about federal laws in UAE.

Rules for Flying Drones in the UAE

Your drone shall be registered with GCAA (General Civil Aviation Authority) in the UAE. A drone must weigh at most 5 kilograms (kg). Flying a drone anywhere in the UAE cannot exceed 400 feet (122 meters) from the ground level.  The drone can only be flown in specified areas. They cannot be flown into public or private properties.

Procedure to Apply for a License

To register a drone in Dubai, you will have to give the following information:

  • Proof of your Emirati nationality (Emirate ID)
  • Drone model and serial number
  • Camera model number
  • Weight of drone
  • Colored photo of the drone that you have purchased

After providing all the above information, you can submit your application to GCAA.  The authority will review your application within a week. If you have fulfilled the registration criteria, you will receive the license to fly the drone in the UAE. 

However, there are other documents and registration processes for the commercial use of drones.

Can Solicitors Help Me with it?

Several law firms can help you fly a drone in Dubai. They have an extensive experience in the transport and logistics department. The legal experts understand the laws for flying drones and permissions to use aerodromes. 

Therefore, always hire a lawyer to ensure you have fulfilled all the criteria to have a drone license. Once you have a registered drone, there could be magical videos and photos you can create for your personal use or sell for commercial use.

Non-Compliance for Drone

If an individual does not register their drone with the GCAA or DCAA and flies it without permission from the authorities, strict action will be taken against them. The Dubai police have warned to ensure that professionals are flying drones as per the laws in the UAE.