First nineteen RPAS Registered in South Africa
ZT – has been allocated for RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems) registered in South Africa, starting with ZT-TAA .
On Friday, 10 July, SACAA issued the first registration certificates for RPAS. (Note, a total of 19 were completed on Friday; I personally was handed the first 5 hot off the press).
That means that in the first 8 days, 19 RPAS have been registered already, and SACAA has indicated they are working though more applications already. One may estimate that 100 RPAS may be registered in the first few weeks.
The registration process is just the first of a number of processes that need to be followed to comply with the new regulations, but is one of the simplest processes.
To register your RPAS (drone) with SACAA you will need:
- R600 application fee,
- complete the required 5 page form
- SAD500 SARS tax clearance document (if imported) or an affidavit if manufactured within SA
- an affidavit confirming the RPAS is not already registered elsewhere
- an affidavit confirming ownership and serial number of the RPA
- certified copies of company documents and ID of the nominated person presenting the application
- You will also need to know the MTOM (maximum take off mass) of the RPA.
The first few registrations took a few days to processes, but once the system settles down 2 hours is a typical time for registration (for manned aircraft or RPAS).
Once registration is completed, the Certificate of Registration (CoR) is handed to the owner, and from that time the allocated registration marks are final. The owner then needs to place the registration marks onto the RPA (see regulations for finer details).
The RPA also needs to have a fireproof identification plate containing the registration marks, and will typically also include the manufacturer and serial number.
Who needs to register?
- All RPAS used for commercial, corporate or non-profit operations need to be registered.
- RPAS used only in private (hobby) operations do not need to be registered.
For more details visit : www.safedrone.co.za/register-
Safe Drone website is a free public service website , setup by industry experts to help all to understand the new regulations, and process to comply. It also has direct links to SACAA website for further information and application forms.
Article by John Gore of Drone Crew (www.dronecrew.co.za), an octocopter drone operator in the Film Industry.
