IMPORTING DRONES INTO RWANDA
Importing Drones into Rwanda requires special Drone permit clearance & permissions. The process of importing Drones into Rwanda can be daunting but Realm Africa safaris will help you temporarily import your drone(s) for filming in Rwanda.
Drones in Rwanda are STRICTLY accepted for use in any one of the following activities;
(a) Aerial photography/Filming.
(b) Agriculture for crop monitoring/inspection.
(c) Search and rescue or delivery of emergency supplies.
(d) Research and development.
(e) Educational/academic uses.
(f) Recreational/Leisure.
PERMITS & PERMISSIONS NEEDED WHEN IMPORTING DRONES INTO RWANDA
All persons intending to import Drones into Rwanda for either photography or filming In Rwanda, MUST apply for an Activity permit and an operators certificate from the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority – RCAA.
An Activity Permit is granted by RCAA to an applicant for a single activity or a block of repeated activities to be carried out at a specific area of operation, and which are of specific operational profiles and conditions. The permit is valid for the period of Filming activity.
An Operator Certificate is granted by RCAA to an applicant if the applicant is able to ensure safe operation of RPA, taking into account the applicant’s organizational set-up, competency of the personnel especially those flying the RPA, procedures to manage safety including the conduct of safety risk assessments, and the airworthiness of each of the aircraft. The certificate is valid for up to one (01) year.
Other permits may be required from various agencies for certain aspects of Remotely Piloted Aircraft System operation that come under their purview, such as Rwanda National Police (RNP) or Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) for aerial photography & filming, and/or overflight of security-sensitive locations, or Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency (RURA) for the use of radio frequencies if need be.
WHERE & HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE DRONE PERMITS & PERMISSIONS
Rwanda Civil Aviation – RCCA is the one mandated to issue out all Filming & importation Permits, for all Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operations – commonly known as Drones. RCAA upon receipt of your application(s) (which you may choose to do individually or contact Realm Africa Safaris™ to assist) will process and coordinate with other relevant agencies regarding the evaluation of your application(s) for any Rwanda Drone Filming permit(s), and will respond to the applicant(s) on the outcome of their application(s). Application for Rwanda Drone operating certificate or permit can be done by filling in Form RCAA-Form-RPAS002.
RULES & REGULATIONS OF FLYING A DRONE IN RWANDA
The following Rwanda Drone Filming Rules and Regulation will guide your Rwanda Filming experience:
All drones intended for filming In Rwanda must be registered prior to flight using form RCAA-Form-UAS001. Citizens of Rwanda can only make this registration with a minimum age of 21 years. The registration fee is 110,000 RWF (about USD130). According to reports, the processing of the registration takes about three (03) months.
All Film crew planning to Film in Rwanda Using Drone(s) need a local contact on whose behalf the drone will be registered for filming in Rwanda. All other terms are very transparently explained on the website of the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA).
Maximum Altitude: The maximum altitude allowed is 100 meters (328 feet) above ground.
Maximum horizontal distance: The constraints include the maximum distance between pilot and drone of 300 meters, as long as direct visual contact is ensured.
Compulsory insurance for your Drone: A Rwanda Drone filming permit from the RCAA for drone flights can only be obtained in Rwanda if your drone is insured.
Maximum take-off weight (MTOW): Drones in Rwanda can weigh up to 25 kilograms.
Distance to airports: Without airspace clearance, flights within a radius of 10 kilometers (6 miles) around an airport are not allowed.
Other safety distances: It is not permitted to have a side flight of less than 50 meters to persons, buildings, vehicles, ships, and animals unless they are directly involved in your filming project. For flights over uninvolved persons, you need a special permit from the RCAA.
Hours of Drone Operation(s) in Rwanda: Drone flights at night are not allowed in Rwanda.
Special legislation: Drones must not fly faster than 100 kilometers per hour (87 knots). Drones must be marked with a number assigned to you by the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority. The label may, e.g., via a permanent marker, a sticker or engraving.
Regulations for commercial pilots: no distinction between private and commercial use
Good to know: The airports in Rwanda state that drones must be registered.
Helpful Links: Info page of the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority.
We have researched the listed Rwanda drone Filming Rules and regulations to the best of our knowledge but still can’t the correctness of the information as this is likely to change at the full discretion of the Rwandese government.
