New regulations on use of drones
In June 2019, the Civil Aviation Authority, with support from Air Space Drone, the company which supplies the digital platform FlySafe, and MC-Clic, a Monegasque company that specialises in drone design and aerial photography, launched the development of a system for managing low-altitude airspace. This made the Principality the first country to roll out a programme specifically for drones and other unmanned aircraft.
With safety being a prerequisite to deliver a boom in aerial mobility, this initial system has been bolstered by a regulatory framework, which came into force on 6 February 2022. This framework aims to ensure improved management of Monaco’s airspace while adapting national regulations to the technological change that has occurred in the aerospace sector.
More specifically relating to drones, their professional use will now be permitted subject to companies obtaining an authorisation, which will be valid for one year and can be renewed. Additional authorisation must be sought in advance of each flight.
In addition, technical and safety equipment is now mandatory to improve the visibility of drones and to reduce risks on the ground and better protect people from any accidental falls (among other things, devices must have a parachute).
Authorised drones will also be equipped with a signalling mechanism that is compatible with the FlySafe platform, enabling them to be identified and flights to be monitored on the ground. This requires the installation of an electronic unit which is supplied with the authorisation.
For more information:
- Authorisation to operate a drone and flight authorisation
https://en.service-public-entreprises.gouv.mc/Conducting-business/Specific-authorisations/Communications-and-media/How-to-apply-for-authorisation-to-operate-drones