Drone Laws in Cayman Islands

Summary of Drone Laws in the Cayman Islands

Agencies Responsible for regulating drones in the Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. Cayman Islands follows UK Overseas Territories Drone Rules.

Drone Regulator in The United Kingdom: Civil Aviation Authority of The United Kingdom

Authority in the Cayman Islands: Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands (CAA)

Contact Information

If you need additional details we have not covered or specific case help, contact Air Safety Support International at:

• Address: The Director General, Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands, PO Box 10277, Grand Cayman, KY1-1003 Cayman Islands
• Phone: + 1 345 949 7811
• Fax: + 1 345 949 0761
• Email: civil.aviation@caacayman.com

Please continue reading for more details on the Cayman Islands Drone Laws.

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Drone Laws of UK Overseas Territories – General rules for flying drones in the Cayman Islands

The agency responsible for drone safety, CAA, has provided details on flying for fun or work. We outline the highlights below. For more details, click on the link above.

Are drones allowed in the Cayman Islands?

According to CAA, drones are allowed in the Cayman Islands, subject to CAA regulations. Read on for more details.

Rules to follow when flying a drone in the Cayman Islands

The laws for flying small drones (under 25kg) are made to keep everyone safe. If your drone is heavier than 25kg, it’s treated like an airplane, and different rules apply. When flying a drone, you must:

1. Keep it where you can see it without help to avoid accidents.
2. Never fly it in a way that could be dangerous to people or things.
3. Don’t drop anything from your drone that could cause harm.

You can’t fly your drone:

• Out of your sight.
• Higher than 120 meters (400 feet) above the ground.
• For paid work (like taking photos) without permission.
• Near many people (more than 400), close to someone (within 45 Meters (150 feet)), or near vehicles and buildings not under your control.
• Inside the boundaries of an airport.

If you’re flying a drone for work, you need to:

• Be sure it’s safe to fly.
• Remember, being careless or risky is against the law.
• Have a guide on how to do your job safely if you have permission for aerial work.
• Have insurance for flying drones for work.

If there are specific Permissions required for the planned operation, these include:

• Under Article 73(4)(b): Permission to conduct Aerial Work (commercial operations)
• Under Article 73(3): Permission for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations
• Under Articles 73(4)(a), (c), (d), (e): Permission for operating at reduced distances from persons, vehicles, vessels or structures
• Under Articles 73(4)(a): Permission to operate at a height of more than 120 meters (400 feet) above the surface
• Under Article 73(4)(f): Permission to operate within the boundary of an aerodrome

The CAA can make special rules or stop drones from flying in certain areas.

Links to the Restricted Zone Maps.

The following links may be used to access the maps for the restricted zones applicable to:

• Owen Roberts International Airport (Grand Cayman)
• Charles Kirkconnell International Airport (Cayman Brac)
• Edward Bodden Airfield (Little Cayman)
• H M Prison Northward

Operational Guidance for the Use of Small Unmanned Aircraft in the Cayman Islands

Visual Line of Sight (VLOS)

Flying drones with a clear line of sight means you must see your drone and its surroundings when it’s flying. This helps avoid crashes. You can use glasses, but not binoculars or telescopes. The drone must stay within your eyesight. Normally, if you can see your drone within 500 meters (1600 feet), it’s okay. But for smaller drones, they should be closer.

Operating Height

The maximum flying height is 120 meters (400 feet) above the ground. This keeps drones away from airplanes, which usually fly higher. The height is measured from the ground right below the drone, so it changes over hills or cliffs.

VLOS Operations at Night

Flying drones at night is allowed if you can still see them. You’ll need to include night flying rules in your operations manual, like checking the area in daylight, noting any hazards, and using proper lights on the drone and the take-off area.

Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Permission required

You need special permission and a good safety plan to fly beyond what you can see. This might include technology to avoid crashes, flying in an area where no other aircraft can go, or proving the flight is safe.

If you’re using extra people to help watch the drone, that’s also beyond normal sight flying, and you need permission for that, too. This method requires careful planning and communication with your team.

Uninvolved persons

When flying drones, it’s crucial to protect people who aren’t involved in the flight, like spectators or passersby.

People are considered involved if they’re there just for the drone operation, have agreed to be part of it and understand the risks and safety instructions.

The drone operator must ensure these involved people know what to do if something goes wrong.

For everyone else, keep a safe distance – at least 45 Meters (150 feet) away from people, vehicles, and structures you don’t control.

Remember, safety comes first, and privacy matters, too. Don’t fly near buildings without permission, and respect local privacy laws.

If flying over private land, get permission and obey trespass laws.

Vehicles, vessels, structures

Remember, you can’t fly close to people, cars, boats, or buildings unless you control them. You must also consider privacy and security around buildings and get permission to fly over private land.

First Person View

You can’t rely on this video alone when flying drones with a camera that shows live video on screens or goggles (known as First Person View or FPV).

You need a buddy who watches the actual drone to help avoid danger. This person, a Visual Observer, doesn’t need special training but should know the drone rules. They’ll watch for things like other aircraft, buildings, or people and tell you if you need to change direction or land right away.

Remember, you must not fly over people, stay clear of urban areas, and keep safe from vehicles, structures, or people. Also, your drone shouldn’t fly over 400 feet above the ground.

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Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in the Cayman Islands

See the general rules listed above.

If the SUA weighs less than 7kg (15lbs) and is being flown recreationally, the Requirement is:

• not to fly within the restricted zones identified in paragraph 1.3 above;
• not to fly at a height of more than 120 meters (400 feet) above ground level.
• To fly safely and responsibly without endangering other people or causing property damage.

If the SUA weighs between 7kg (15lbs) and 20kgs (44lbs), the aircraft may not be flown:

• within the restricted zones identified in paragraph 1.3 above;
• Within three nautical miles of an international airport (ORIA and CKIA) without the permission of the appropriate air traffic control unit.
• At a height of more than 120 meters (400 feet) above ground level.

It is incumbent upon the pilot/operator to fly safely and responsibly without endangering other people or causing damage to property.

In no circumstances may a Small Unmanned Surveillance Aircraft (SUSA), defined as a small unmanned aircraft that is equipped to undertake any form of surveillance or data acquisition including photographic or filming for either recreational or commercial purposes, be flown:

• over or within 150 meters (500 feet) of any congested area;
• over or within 150 meters (500 feet) of an organized open-air assembly of more than 1000 persons;
• Within 50 metres (160 feet) of any vessel, vehicle, or structure which is not under the control of the person in charge of the aircraft;
• within 50 metres (160 feet) of any person unless:
  • the SUSA is taking off or landing, in which case the separation distance is reduced from 50 Metres to 30 Metres (100 to 160 feet);
  • The person is either the person in charge of the SUSA or is under the control of the person in charge of the SUSA.

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Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in the Cayman Islands

Obtaining a Permission to Undertake Aerial Work

An application for Permission to undertake aerial work should be made on the application form which can be found at the following link: Application Form

The completed application form should be submitted to the CAACI together with a detailed Operations Manual compiled in accordance with the template provided via the following link: Operations Manual Template

Other Agencies or Approvals

A CAACI Permission to undertake aerial work only meets the requirements of aviation legislation. It does not absolve the applicant from the responsibility of complying with the requirements of other national agencies. Other interested parties might include:

• Business Licence
• The Information & Communications Technology Authority (ICTA)
• Lands & Surveys Department

Useful published information on flying drones in the Cayman Islands

Here is a useful introduction video provided by CAA about Drone Flying…

And here is an example of the view when flying over the Cayman Islands…

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NOTE: This page is about the Regulation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: 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, remote-controlled, and RC aircraft may be covered by the same regulations unless specified.

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Traveling with a Drone?

Click here to read our Comprehensive Guide For Traveling With A Drone.

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