After two days trying to get a response from the South African Civil Aviation Authority, it is clear why there has been so much confusion with the media’s interpretation of their communications. Finally we have an answer.

It turns out drones ARE NOT BANNED, as was reported.

2oceansvibe eventually managed to get a reply from their Communications Manager, Kabelo Ledwaba, who explained they had a conference of sorts, which is why it took so long to respond. I asked him if it was not the responsibility of the Communications Manager to respond to clear questions, timeously. He then asked me to refrain from making personal attacks. Which, as with their media statements up until this point, I don’t quite understand.

Nonetheless, it seems that there is absolutely ZERO law right now and it doesn’t look like there will be, until around March 2015. The most they have asked for is that the general public “err on the side of caution.”

My questions were:

1) Am I breaking the law if I fly a UAS on my land?

2) Would the altitude I fly it at (on private land) impact the legality?

This is what we eventually got from the SACAA.

Currently there are no regulations in place to enable and regulate operations of UAS in South African civil airspace. In accordance with the Civil Aviation Act, 2009 (Act No. 13, of 2009).

The SACAA would once more like to reiterate that currently there are no guidelines or regulations that can help define and as such regulate the use of unmanned aircraft systems. This is a concern that the organisation is working towards addressing as soon as possible. Further, the SACAA has made an undertaking to have an interim guidance document as a provisional solution to enable restricted operational approval of UAS on a case-by-case basis until regulations are in place. It is envisaged that the interim document will be completed before 31 March 2015, or sooner.

The interim document in question will address most of the issues that have been rasied (sic) not only in south Africa, but are under consideration globally, for instance by the ICAO UASSG, and other international bodies. The SACAA is part of this ICAO Work Group.

In the meantime, the Regulator appeals to all stakeholders to err on the side of caution rather than risk unintended aviation disasters. Notwithstanding, we remain receptive to ideas that would contribute to the rapid development of a widely accepted regulatory framework.

So they have asked that you “err on the side of caution” when flying your drone (official written comment from SACAA’s Communications Manager, Kabelo Ledwaba).

Thanks for finally clearing that up, guys.

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