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Drone Laws in Chile

Summary of Drone Laws in Chile

Hobbyist Drone Laws For Residents of Chile

Drone Operations in Chile are currently regulated.


  • Hobbyist drone flights are allowed in Chile
  • Hobbyist Chile drone pilot license is required (some exemptions apply)
  • Hobbyist Drone registration is required in Chile for hobbyists (some exemptions apply)
  • Drone Remote ID is not required in Chile for hobbyists
  • Drone Insurance is not required but recommended for hobbyists’ drone operations in Chile

Read below for more details on Hobbyist Drone Laws in Chile and to find links to regulators and other credible sources!

Commercial Drone Laws For Residents of Chile

Drone Operations in Chile are currently regulated.


  • Commercial drone flights are allowed in Chile
  • Commercial Chile drone pilot license is required (some exemptions apply)
  • Commercial Drone registration is required in Chile for commercial drone operators (some exemptions apply)
  • Drone Remote ID is not required in Chile for Commercial Drone Operators
  • Drone Insurance is not required for commercial drone operations in Chile

Read below for more details on Commercial Drone Laws in Chile and to find links to regulators and other credible sources!

Drone Laws For Visitors To Chile

Drone Operations in Chile are currently regulated.


  • Foreign visitor drone flights are allowed in Chile for extremely limited drone types
  • Foreign visitor drone pilot license is required (some exemptions apply)
  • Drone registration is required in Chile for visitors/tourists (some exemptions apply)
  • Drone Remote ID is not required in Chile for tourists
  • Drone Insurance is not required but recommended for tourist drone operations in Chile

Read below for more details on Drone Laws in Chile for Visitors (Tourists) and to find links to regulators and other credible sources!

Drone Laws For Government Drone Operators in Chile

Drone Operations in Chile are currently regulated.


  • Government drone flights are allowed in Chile
  • Government drone pilot license is required
  • Drone registration is required in Chile for Government operations
  • Drone Remote ID is not required in Chile for Government operations
  • Drone Insurance is not required for Government drone operations in Chile

Read below for more details on Drone Laws in Chile for Government Drone Operations and to find links to regulators and other credible sources!

Agencies Responsible for regulating drones in the Republic of Chile

Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC)

Drone Section of DGAC Website


UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in Chile

The Chilean agency responsible for drone safety, DGAC, has provided several internet-accessible details on flying for fun or work. The highlights are enumerated below. For more details, go to the link above.

Are drones allowed in Chile?

DGAC states that drone use is allowed in Chile, subject to DGAC regulations. Read on for more details.

Here are the most important rules for flying a drone in Chile.

  • To fly a drone in Chile, you must register the aircraft and request authorization from the DGAC. 
  • You may only fly one unmanned aerial vehicle at a time. 
  • Never fly at night or in inclement weather. 
  • Avoid flying your drone beyond your line of sight or 500 meters (1,640 feet) from the operator. 
  • Do not fly more than 130 meters above the ground (426 feet). 
  • You must fly at least 20 meters (65 feet) above and 30 meters (98 feet) away from individuals not involved in the drone operation. 
  • Avoid flying over areas where firefighters are working. 
  • Avoid flying within a two-kilometer (1.2-mile) radius of an airport. 
  • Avoid flying over highly sensitive areas such as government or military installations. 
  • Flying is prohibited in Torres del Paine National Park and other areas designated as “no-drone zones.”

Registration

Anyone flying a drone in Chile must obtain a registration card, operating authorization, and RPAS remote pilot credentials from the DGAC.

To register, please get in touch with the DGAC with the following information:

  • Manufacturer and country of origin 
  • The manufacturer’s name, the model, and the serial number 
  • Motorization type 
  • Maximum weight for take-off. 
  • Specifications of integrated technical equipment 
  • Functions of autonomous flight 
  • 10 x 15 cm color photograph of the UAV (jpeg format). 
  • Demonstration of the emergency parachute in action.

After submitting this information, you will receive a registration card, which you should always keep when flying. This registration will be valid for 12 months and must be renewed.

DGAC Drone Registration Link

Licensing

To obtain a DGAC license authorizing you to fly, you must: 

  • Be at least 18 years old. 
  • Submit an affidavit before a notary stating that you have received theoretical and practical instruction on the drone model you will fly. 
  • You must pass the written DAN 151, DAN 91, Meteorology, and Aerodynamics exams. Passing requires a minimum of 75% of the candidates. 
  • The credentials will be valid for 12 months before being revalidated.

DGAC Drone License Request Link

Penalties

The nature and severity of your infraction will determine the amount and scope of the fine. The judges will also consider whether you committed the violation on purpose and for commercial gain. You could face fines of up to $36,000.

Additional Note For Foreign Operators

If you want to fly an unmanned aircraft, you must obtain a license, complete some training, carry a radio to monitor local air traffic control, and stay away from crowds and buildings. However, if your aircraft is made of expanded polyethylene and weighs less than 750 grams, you can fly in unpopulated areas with permission from the DGAC, Chile’s air traffic control. Most DJI drones are metal or carbon which are not allowed, so please check your drone carefully that it passes the allowed specifications.


Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in Chile

You do not need a drone permit or license to fly in Chile if you intend to stay outside urban areas and fly a drone weighing less than 750 g (flying no more than 50 m above obstacles).

Recreational or private flights do not require authorization from the DGAC as long as the RPAS is made of expanded polyethylene (Most DJI drones are metal or carbon which are not allowed, so please check your drone carefully that it passes the allowed specifications). Weight up to 750 grams. Only in private places with the authorization of the owner. Do not operate at more than 50 meters high. The operator must respond to any damage caused to third parties. DAN 91 Information

There are a few rules to follow within Chile’s permitted zones:

  • Fly your drone at a maximum altitude of 130 meters. 
  • Fly your drone during the day and keep it in sight. 
  • Have third-party insurance valid in Chile (with a Spanish translation). 
  • Keep at least 30 meters away from people when flying your drone (20 m vertically). 
  • Fly at least 2 kilometers from airports (1 km for aerodromes), and heliports, and prioritize all other aircraft types. If you see another plane during your flight, you must land immediately. 
  • Pilot a drone outfitted with a lighting system (to be more visible). 
  • Tow or launch any objects from your drone unless you have permission. 
  • Avoid flying your drone over public, military, or critical infrastructure. 
  • Do not fly near a natural disaster or anywhere emergency personnel will be required to intervene. 
  • have a drone parachute for drones weighing more than 750 g

Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in Chile

You do not need a drone permit or license to fly in Chile if you intend to stay outside urban areas and fly a drone weighing less than 750 g (flying 50 m above obstacles). As long as the RPAS is made of expanded polyethylene (Most DJI drones are metal or carbon which are not allowed, so please check your drone carefully that it passes the allowed specifications).

Any entity or person who performs aerial work for commercial purposes must obtain their Operator Certificate Air (AOC), in accordance with the provisions of the Aeronautical Standard DAN 119 “Standard for Obtaining a Certificate of Air Operator.” DAN 119 Information
and DAN 137 “Aerial Works.” DAN 137 Information

There are a few rules to follow within Chile’s permitted zones:

  • Fly your drone at a maximum altitude of 130 meters. 
  • Fly your drone during the day and keep it in sight. 
  • Have third-party insurance valid in Chile (with a Spanish translation). 
  • Keep at least 30 meters away from people when flying your drone (20 m vertically). 
  • Fly at least 2 kilometers from airports (1 km for aerodromes), and heliports, and prioritize all other aircraft types. If you see another plane during your flight, you must land immediately. 
  • Pilot a drone outfitted with a lighting system (to be more visible). 
  • Tow or launch any objects from your drone unless you have permission. 
  • Avoid flying your drone over public, military, or critical infrastructure. 
  • Do not fly near a natural disaster or anywhere emergency personnel will be required to intervene. 
  • have a drone parachute for drones weighing more than 750 g

For commercial flights or 750 g+ drones flying in urban areas, you will need:

  • a license to fly
  • to register your drone
  • ask authorization systematically

Useful published information on flying drones in Chile

Here is a sample of what you might expect if you follow the drone laws and fly in Chile…


Authoritative Sources of Information on Chile Drone Laws

We will attempt to keep an updated list of online authoritative links to regulators and other official websites here:



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?

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5 responses to “Drone Laws in Chile”

  1. Jean-Baptiste

    Hello,

    I have discussed with the Chilean DGAC, and unfortunately, foreigners cannot fly drones in chile.
    To be precise, the “under 750g” category only applies to polyethylene made drones, so carbon/metal made drones such are DJI drones or custom fpv drones require registration+ CEO authorization, which unfortunately is not possible for foreigners.

    I have this information from the DGAC itself who I spoke by mail with, so it is a reliable source.

    Furthermore, even locals cannot fly under 750g drones if they are not made of polyethylene.

    Could you please update your website so others know ?

    Thanks

    1. Editorial Team

      Thanks Jean-Baptiste. We have added the clarifications above

    2. tino

      So the dji mini series cannot be flown in chile?

      1. Editorial Team

        We dont have any reports of any visitor flying with this drone. You should always check in with the DGAC to see if there are any new rules.

  2. Hélio Ferreira

    Hi there!

    First of all, thanks for providing all this useful information in an accessible way!

    Now, I’m writing to let you know that drone laws have been updated in Chile. It seems that the “emergency state” that the country was in ended, and with that so the online registrations. From what I understood, it is now required to personally go to the DGAC (DIRECCIÓN GENERAL DE AERONÁUTICA CIVIL) to register your RPA.

    More information here:
    https://www.dgac.gob.cl/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Procedimiento-para-el-registro-de-RPA-y-regularizacion-de-RPA-registrados-provisoriamente-11.ENERO_.2022.pdf

    And here:
    https://www.dgac.gob.cl/actualizacion-registro-provisorio-de-rpas-o-drones/

    🌻

Leave a Comment

5 thoughts on “Drone Laws in Chile”

  1. Hello,

    I have discussed with the Chilean DGAC, and unfortunately, foreigners cannot fly drones in chile.
    To be precise, the “under 750g” category only applies to polyethylene made drones, so carbon/metal made drones such are DJI drones or custom fpv drones require registration+ CEO authorization, which unfortunately is not possible for foreigners.

    I have this information from the DGAC itself who I spoke by mail with, so it is a reliable source.

    Furthermore, even locals cannot fly under 750g drones if they are not made of polyethylene.

    Could you please update your website so others know ?

    Thanks

    Reply
  2. Hi there!

    First of all, thanks for providing all this useful information in an accessible way!

    Now, I’m writing to let you know that drone laws have been updated in Chile. It seems that the “emergency state” that the country was in ended, and with that so the online registrations. From what I understood, it is now required to personally go to the DGAC (DIRECCIÓN GENERAL DE AERONÁUTICA CIVIL) to register your RPA.

    More information here:
    https://www.dgac.gob.cl/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Procedimiento-para-el-registro-de-RPA-y-regularizacion-de-RPA-registrados-provisoriamente-11.ENERO_.2022.pdf

    And here:
    https://www.dgac.gob.cl/actualizacion-registro-provisorio-de-rpas-o-drones/

    🌻

    Reply

Leave a Comment