Muscat: As part of the efforts to uphold the highest standards of aviation safety and mitigate risks to individuals, it is mandated for all operators of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) or drones engaged in commercial or government projects, to complete training from a CAA-approved training organization.
Based on regulation, 1412/2023, the training should be aligned with the Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) 102/ Subpart F or its equivalent, ensuring operators possess the necessary knowledge and skills for safe and compliant UAS operations.
The circular is effective starting from December 1, 2024, and applications for UAS operations submitted after the aforementioned effective date will not be processed without submitting a valid training certificate issued by a CAA-approved Training Organization.
The Civil Aviation Authority's (CAA) decision 1412/2023 regulated drone activity, including some exceptions to the use of certain types.
While giving some exceptions, the decision tightens rules on the safety and privacy concerns over the use of drones or unmanned aircraft.
a license is not needed to use indoors, children’s toys unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), whose weight does not exceed 250g and whose maximum height does not exceed 100 m above the ground, unless they carry sensors to collect data or photographic devices.
Regulations
The decision stipulates that the licensee must ensure there is no danger to people or their property, and should not transport materials or goods or perform delivery services without prior authorization. The licensee shall be responsible for any damage caused to people or public or private properties and all other liabilities or expenses. The licensee should notify the concerned parties immediately upon the occurrence of any drone accident. Prohibitions The licensee is banned from operating drones within a radius of 5 km of airports, ports, protected places, and any other locations determined by the authority. The license cannot fly the drone after sunset without permission or film private places, flying over them, filming any military or security operations, displays, or traffic accidents, infringe on privacy, intercept, or disrupt means of communications. Drones cannot be used to fly aerobically during shows, or competitions, chase manned aircraft, and fly near them. Fines In the event of a violation of these regulations, the competent authority may cancel the license or impose an administrative fine.
A fine of RO600 will be imposed for not following weather-related or other safety guidelines, RO500 for practicing without a license, RO300 for failure to follow the time and place in the license, RO300 for failure to comply with the actual purpose of using drones, RO200 for failure to carry the license or refusal to present it to the competent authority or the concerned authorities upon request.
New rules Licenses issued to practice aviation activity and aerial work under old regulations shall continue to be valid until the expiry of their term, and their renewal shall be by the provisions of new regulations. Other details A drone is an aircraft that is remotely piloted, wired or wirelessly, by devices or platforms, or a self-piloted aircraft whose paths and functions are prepared in advance using artificial intelligence algorithms. It can be used for commercial, research, or service works, such as photography, aerial survey, spraying, transporting equipment and materials, search and rescue, and other uses including recreational activities such as photography, racing, parades, and others.
Registration Eligibility
The following details are required to obtain a license, which includes the age of the applicant, if he is a natural person, must not be less than 18 eighteen years, and must be registered in the Sultanate of Oman if he is a legal person. It is necessary to pass the test or training determined by the competent authority by civil aviation regulations. The application for obtaining the license shall be submitted to the competent authority according to the form prepared for this purpose. The competent authority shall study the application for obtaining the license and verify all documents, technical data, and specifications in coordination with the concerned authorities.
The applicant may be notified if he does not fulfill the documents, data, and specifications The technical team will notify the deficiencies in his application, and grant him a period not exceeding 30 days from the date of notification to correct the deficiencies, otherwise, the application will be considered canceled.
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