Drone Laws in Jamaica

Summary of Drone Laws in Jamaica

Agencies Responsible for regulating drones in Jamaica

Drone Regulator in Jamaica: Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA)

Online link to Jamaica Drone regulations: Jamaica Operations of Unmanned Aircraft Regulations FSN – Gn-2015-R3 Revised January 28, 2020

Contact Information

If you need additional details we have not covered or specific case help, contact the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority at:

• Address: 4 Winchester Road, Kingston 10
• Phone: (876) 929-3552 / (876) 960-3948
• Email: aisjamaica@jcaa.gov.jm or jcivav@jcaa.gov.jm

Please continue reading for more details on Jamaica Drone Laws.

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UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in Jamaica

The Jamaican agency responsible for drone safety, JCAA, 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 legal in Jamaica?

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

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

JCAA issues guidelines to two categories of operators:

1. Recreational UAV operators or Hobbyists – i.e., persons who operate model aircraft or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for recreational purposes (see Hobbyist section below for specific guidelines).
2. Professional (commercial & non-commercial) operators – i.e., persons or companies which operate Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for non-recreational purposes, including business-related activities such as, but not limited to, aerial photography, surveillance, geometric surveys, power line inspections, crop observations
   and research and development (see the Commercial section below for specific guidelines).

Flights must be conducted:

• within the operator’s visual line of sight (VLOS)
• clear of all visual obstructions, including clouds, buildings, hills, etc.
• without a first-person view device
• safely and without recklessness
• at safe distances away from all obstacles

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Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in Jamaica

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles shall not be operated:

1. at a height exceeding 400 feet (122 meters) above ground level
2. beyond a maximum range of 1640 feet (500 meters)
3. at a distance beyond the unaided visual range of the operator(s) of the aircraft
4. using a First Person View (FPV) or computer-aided visual of the UAV
5. over or within 500 feet (152 meters) of an organized open-air assembly of people
6. Over or within 165 feet (50 meters) of any person. However, during take-off and landing, the aircraft may be flown within 165 feet (50 meters), but no less than 100 feet (30 meters) of any person. These stipulations do not apply to the person in control of the aircraft.
7. over private or public property or dwelling without prior permission
8. within 16,500 feet (5,000 meters) of any aerodrome or rotorcraft designated landing zones, such as helipads
9. if not equipped with fail-safe mechanisms that will cause the aircraft to land in the event of a loss of radio control communications and the person in charge of the aircraft has been satisfied that the mechanisms are in good working order before flight
10. if the aircraft has not been verified as being able to complete its intended flight, taking into consideration the payload, wind, and propulsive power availability for the duration of the flight
11. autonomously or on pre-programmed automatic flights
12. at night or during low visibility conditions
13. to drop or discharge any items to the ground
14. within or over restricted or prohibited airspace.

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Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in Jamaica

The JCAA considers the following in a Professional Category similar to Commercial Use elsewhere.

• Professional (commercial & non-commercial) operators – i.e., persons or companies which operate Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for non-recreational purposes, including business-related activities such as, but not limited to, aerial photography, surveillance, geometric surveys, power line inspections, crop observations, and research and development.

All professional operators must apply to the JCAA for a Special Aerial Work Permit before each flight.

All Drone operators in this category must:

• Apply to the JCAA in writing for approval, providing all details of the intended operation.
• Do not fly the aircraft unless the Authority has received written permission stating any applicable restrictions or conditions. Having received approval, the professional operator must observe and comply with all the conditions included in the permit to exercise the authority provided to operate a UAV.

Note: Applications for restricted airspace require a minimum of one month’s notice as approvals are required from the specific airspace managers.

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Useful published information on flying drones in Jamaica

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

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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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