Completely autonomous UAS and remotely piloted UAS

Drone Legislation - Our partner responds

Is there any distinction between public, leisure and commercial Unmanned Aerial System (UAS)? What regulations are provided for UAS operations in each group?

Yes, there is a distinction between the recreational or leisure Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) and the commercial ones. The main difference is that all the RPAS operators and members of their crew, who desire to carry out commercial operations in Panama, shall have an Operation Certificate issued by the AAC according to the local aeronautical regulations. This certificate will allow the operator to carry out commercial operations of such RPAS, in accordance with the conditions and limitations established within.

Is there a distinction, in terms of regulation, between completely autonomous UAS and remotely-piloted UAS?

Yes, the distinction is made in the definitions’ section of the Regulations. In fact, the regulations mention in Section E, that the same applies to i) all the remote piloted aircraft systems (“RPAS”); (ii) all the RPAS of any weight, that were specifically designed for performing aerial work or cargo transportation; and (iii) all the RPAS’s operators and members of their crew, who desire to carry out commercial operations in Panama

More info on Aviation Law in Panama – Contact:

María de Lourdes Marengo (mmarengo@pmalawyers.com)

PATTON MORENO & ASVAT, the experienced legal guidance you can trust.

- An extract of the Drone Legislation Guide, originally published by L2b