Drone Laws in Indonesia

Summary of Drone Laws in Indonesia

Agencies Responsible for regulating drones in the Republic of Indonesia

Drone regulator in Indonesia: Ministry of Transportation Republic of Indonesia and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

Regulator Drone Site: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

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UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in Indonesia

The Indonesian agency responsible for drone safety, DGCA, has provided many 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 Indonesia?

According to DGCA, drone use is allowed in Indonesia, subject to strict DGCA regulations. Read on for more details.

Here are the most important rules to know for flying a drone in Indonesia:

• Indonesia has a maximum flying altitude of 150 meters (= 500 feet). If you wish to fly higher, you must obtain permission 14 working days before the scheduled flight. 
• Drone flights must be conducted within the pilot’s direct line of sight. Maximum horizontal distance and FPV: Drone flights must be undertaken in the pilot’s direct line of sight. 
• There is no requirement to purchase aviation liability insurance for your drone now. 
• Drones must have a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of no more than 7 kilograms. 
• Flights are permitted only in uncontrolled airspace. In addition, runways at airports must be at least 15 kilometers away from drone operations. 
• Other safe distances include avoiding crowds and staying away from densely populated areas. The distance between the ground and the clouds must be at least 150 meters (vertical) or 600 meters (horizontal) (horizontal). 
• Drones with cameras must maintain a minimum distance of 500 meters from prohibited or restricted areas. 
• Drones are permitted to operate in Indonesia only when the sun is visible. The law prohibits flights at night and in inclement weather. Minimum visibility of 4.8 kilometers is required. 
• You should be aware that if your drone is equipped with a camera, it may approach the land border up to a maximum distance of 500 meters. In addition, drones may not be operated from a moving vehicle except for vessels (boats, ships). 

Prohibited Areas

According to the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation, certain areas are entirely off-limits to drone flights (dubbed “Forbidden Areas”), including but not limited to: 

• Areas where flight activities are entirely prohibited (referred to as “Prohibited Areas”) 
• Areas that are entirely designated for government aviation but may occasionally be opened to civil aviation. 
• Fifteen kilometers from any aircraft runway and flights greater than 150 meters altitude. 
• Airspace that is controlled and where air traffic control, flight information, and alert services are provided. 
• If your drone is equipped with a camera, you must maintain an additional 500 m safety distance from prohibited flight areas.

Penalties

It will depend on the nature and severity of your infraction. The judges will also consider whether you committed the violation intentionally and/or for commercial gain. Failure to comply with local regulations may result in a fine of up to IDR 5,000,000 and up to three years in prison.

Note for Foreign Operators

There are no apparent restrictions on bringing drones into Indonesia (Bali) if the import is deemed legitimate (generally one drone per person).

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Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in Indonesia

In Indonesia, there is no requirement to register or obtain a permit for recreational drone use. 

However, if you are flying your drone recreationally, you must fly: 

• At a maximum altitude of 150 meters above the ground. 
• Away from moving vehicles, people, and large crowds. 
• A drone that is less than 2 kilograms in weight. 
• You must be at least 18 years old to participate. 
• Do not fly from a moving vehicle from a fixed point. 
• Maintain minimum flight visibility of 4.8 kilometers (15 kilometers) and 15 kilometers away from airports (any airport, seaplane base, or area where aircraft or helicopters take off and land) and yield to all other aircraft types. 
• Only during the day (no tolerance for night flights) and always within your sight. 
• Keep a safe distance from clouds (150 m below & 600 m distance). 
• At any given time, there is only one drone. 
• Slower than 161 kilometers per hour and not under the influence of any drug or alcohol. 
• If you wish to fly outside the limitations of Indonesian regulations (e.g., BVLOS), you must obtain permission from the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). It takes about two weeks to get, but remember that these are typically granted only for government purposes. 

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Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in Indonesia

You must follow all the steps and code of conduct of recreational drone use practices. 

In addition, for any flight with a commercial purpose, you will systematically need the following: 

• an authorization from the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) 
• an insurance policy that covers your commercial activities

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Useful published information on flying drones in Indonesia

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

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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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