Agencies Responsible for regulating drones in Antigua and Barbuda
Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority
The ECCAA does not have a website related to drones. Regulations related to drones or Remote Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS) are covered in the general aviation regulations.
UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in Antigua and Barbuda
Are drones allowed in UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in Antigua and Barbuda?
According to ECCAA, drone use is allowed in Antigua and Barbuda, however, regulations are not mature and may be interpreted locally. Read on for more details.
Here are the most important rules to know for flying a drone in Antigua & Barbuda:
- Drone pilots must maintain Visual Line-of-Sight (VLOS) with the drone at all times, except where permission has been granted by the ATC to do otherwise.
- Scan the physical environment for potential obstacles or persons approaching.
- Maintain a safe distance of no less than 50ft from all obstacles including
buildings, persons or structures. - Follow any provisions and conditions issued by the appropriate authorities
particularly the ATC authorities. - Follow all of the manufacturer’s recommended practices for the safe operation of
the Drone. - Do not operate from any seaport or airport and within any airport approach and departure path in Antigua and Barbuda.
- There should be no unauthorized operations within airport approach and departure areas and specifically within 2.5 – 3 miles north and south of the airport runway center-line as well as 5 miles east and west of the threshold and end of the runway
- Do not fly above 300 ft AGL.
- Do not fly closer than 100 ft laterally from vehicles or an open-air assembly of
people. - Do not fly in populous areas including over highways, beaches, stadiums, sporting
events or festivities without permission. - Do not fly within or over restricted and prohibited areas, including airports, military bases, prisons or official residences, government buildings, etc.
- Operate at night or in low visibility conditions without permission is prohibited.
- Do not deploy any unauthorized objects from the unit to the ground.
- Specific restricted areas are Pigotts, Fitches Creek, Cassada Gardens, Hodges Bay, Clare Hall, Potters, Skerritt’s Pasture, St Johnsons Village, the Antigua Recreation Grounds, H.M. Prison, Upper Gambles, and North Sound including the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. Additional restricted areas are Fort James, the St Johns Harbor, and Codrington, Barbuda.
Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in Antigua and Barbuda
Please see the general rules above. The Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority has not created a separate framework of regulations for hobbyists versus commercial providers.
Notes for Commercial Drone Services operations in Antigua and Barbuda
Please see the general rules above. The Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority has not created a separate framework of regulations for hobbyists versus commercial providers.
Useful published information on flying drones in Antigua and Barbuda
Not much public information is available about the use of drones in Antigua and Barbuda. We recommend connecting directly with the ECCAA or using a licensed legal representative in Antigua and Barbuda for more details.
Here is a video of what you can expect using a drone in Antigua and Barbuda…
NOTE: Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS), Small UAS, Remote Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS), unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), and drone are interchangeable terms unless specified. Model aircraft, toy aircraft, Remote controlled aircraft, and RC aircraft may be covered by the same regulations unless specified.
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