Drone Regulations in Zimbabwe: 15 Dos and Don’ts

Earlier today, we published the current regulations on drones from the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ.) With 31 pages, the document is pretty comprehensive, covering most aspects of owning, operating, or hobby-making with drones.

Below is a list that simplifies the contents of the regulations. These are not dos and don’ts in the sense of “best practice” – but are actually what the law allows and does not allow you to do.

So, here we go:

except in special conditions,

Do not:

1. Fly a drone unless you have a valid, CAAZ-issued license

2. Fly a drone that isn’t fit to fly (the specifications on what is fit to fly are in the regulations)

3. Fly drone from two different control stations

4. Fly it when weather is so bad that others cannot see your drone

5. Land a drone on or take off from a road, fly along a road, or within 30m from a road

5. Fly it in controlled airspaces

7. Deliver or drop stuff from drone, or carry dangerous goods

8. Use drugs or alcohol within 8 hours of flying a drone, or while flying it

9.  Tow another drone, or in any other way endanger safety of others

10. Fly drones in formation or in a swarm, do tricks in the air or perform aerial or aerobatic roll in an emergency to avoid collision

11. Fly a drone 400 feet (122 meters) above the surface, or within a radius of 3 nautical miles from an airport

12. Fly a drone next to or above a prison, police station, crime scene, court of law, national key point or strategic installation.

13. Fly a drone beyond visual line of sight (that is, you have to see the drone), or fly it at night

14. Fly a drone above or 30m above a person (or group of people) unless you are together

15.  Fly a drone 30m from a building unless you have the building owners permission.

Do:

1. Register the drone, and get a Remote Pilot Licence to fly it

2. Maintain the drone in an airworthy condition

3. Be aware that you are accountable for safe operation of the drone

4. Report to CAAZ if someone is injured, dies or property is damaged

5. Be aware that you are responsible for avoiding other aircraft

6. Give way to manned aircraft

7. Avoid flying over, under etc… a manned aircraft

8. Follow right of way guidelines of flying

9. Descend by at least 100 feet as soon as a manned aircraft is seen to be around

10. Keep a log book of your drone flights

11. Keep a flight folio where you record any thing unusual that happens, e.g. “hit a tree and cracked propeller. Glued it”.

12. Keep a first aid kit handy

13.  Keep a fire extinguisher on the ground

14. Keep proper documentation for your drones from the State of the country where the drone originated

15. Speak and use English proficiently