Drone Laws in the Ivory Coast

Summary of Drone Laws in the Ivory Coast

Agencies Responsible for regulating drones in the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

Drone Regulator in Ivory Coast: Autorité Nationale de l’Aviation Civile (ANAC)

Link to Ivory Coast Drone Laws: Ivory Coast Drone Laws

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UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in the Ivory Coast

The Ivory Coast agency responsible for drone safety, ANAC, 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 the Ivory Coast?

According to ANAC, drone operations are allowed in the Ivory Coast, subject to ANAC regulations. Read on for more details.

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

SAFETY AND PROTECTION OF PRIVACY Morality investigation of the remote pilot or the owner

Upon receipt of an application for a remote pilot license or identification of a remotely piloted aircraft, the ANAC verifies the conformity and accuracy of the request and the information relating to the morality investigation on the applicant provided by the competent authorities in the matter.

Can claim to the issue of certificates by the ANAC, the natural persons whose good character has been attested by the competent authorities in the matter.

Suppose the ANAC becomes aware that the remote pilot or the holder of the identification certificate constitutes a safety hazard. In that case, the ANAC may modify, suspend or revoke (as the case may be) the issued Certificate.

Operator or owner security measures

The holder of a remotely piloted aircraft operating Certificate issued per this Regulation must:

1. Ensure that remotely piloted aircraft not in use are securely stored to prevent and detect interference or unauthorized use.
2. Ensure that the remotely piloted aircraft are protected against acts of unlawful interference.
3. Ensure that the remotely piloted aircraft are stored and prepared for flight in such a way as to prevent and detect unwanted manipulations and to ensure the integrity of vital systems.
4. Designate a security coordinator responsible for the implementation, enforcement, and controls of civil aviation security, and
5. Ensure that all personnel assigned to deploy, handle, and store remotely piloted aircraft are aware of civil aviation security.

Security and protection of privacy

Notification to the authority and persons in the operating area

No remotely piloted aircraft shall be operated or recovered from public or private property without the owner’s permission.

The remote pilot or owner must request authorization from the competent authorities (air traffic services or police) and inform people around the area of ​​operation before starting operations.

Confidentiality and privacy of others

Anyone carrying out operations using a remotely piloted aircraft equipped with cameras or cameras must operate them responsibly to respect the privacy of others.

No person shall use a remotely piloted aircraft to do any of the following:

1. Monitor:
   1. A person without their consent.
   2. Private real estate without the consent of the owner.
2. Photograph or film a person, without their consent, for the purpose of publishing or distributing the photograph or film.

For gatherings, events, or places to which the general public is invited, the remote pilot must have the organizers’ agreement.

Infrared equipment or any other similar thermal imaging equipment installed on a remotely piloted aircraft must have the sole purpose of:

1. Scientific surveys.
2. Scientific research.
3. The mapping and study of the earth’s surface, including land and water surfaces.
4. Valuation of crops, livestock, or farms.
5. Forest valuation and forest management, and
6. other similar research on vegetation or fauna.

IDENTIFICATION AND IDENTIFICATION MARKS Identification of remotely piloted aircraft

No one shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft in Ivory Coast unless ANAC has identified it and issued an identification certificate to its owner.

A remotely piloted aircraft acquires Ivorian nationality when it is identified following the regulations in force.

A remotely piloted aircraft is eligible for identification if it belongs to:

1. To an Ivorian or any other person legally residing in Ivory Coast.
2. To a company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.

Identification conditions

The owner of a remotely piloted aircraft requests the ANAC by sending the items required by the regulations in force.

Assigning an identification number

If the applicant meets the identification requirements, the ANAC registers the remotely piloted aircraft by assigning an identification number and issuing an identification certificate to the owner.

At his request, an applicant may be given an identification mark before purchasing an aircraft to have it affixed by the manufacturer.

Remotely piloted aircraft register

ANAC establishes and maintains a remotely piloted aircraft register containing the following information:

1. The number of the identification certificate.
2. The identification mark assigned to the aircraft.
3. The manufacturer’s name and the manufacturer’s designation of the remotely piloted aircraft.
4. The serial number of the remotely piloted aircraft.
5. The name and address of the owner.
6. The use or the conditions relating to the identification of the aircraft pilot.

Suppose a remotely piloted aircraft is leased or is subject to a lease, charter, or hire-purchase contract to a person meeting the conditions. In that case, ANAC temporarily registers the remotely piloted aircraft in the parties’ names to the charter or hire-purchase contract for the duration of the lease, charter, or hire-purchase contract.

The remotely piloted aircraft identification certificate is neither assignable nor transferable.

Arrangement of identification marks

Identification marks must be displayed on the remotely piloted aircraft.

Identification marks should be as visible as possible.

However, the ANAC may authorize a waiver of this requirement if the size of the aircraft does not allow it to be so marked.

Dog tag

A remotely piloted aircraft must have an identification plate inscribed on which the identification marks are of flame-retardant metal or other material of appropriate physical properties.

The identification plate must be proportionate to the size of the remotely piloted aircraft and visibly affixed to the outside of said aircraft.

Airworthiness Certification

Airworthiness of remotely piloted aircraft systems

Remotely piloted aircraft weighing less than 25 kg are exempt from airworthiness certification. 

Without limiting these provisions, using a remotely piloted aircraft system that is not in a safe operating state is prohibited. 

Per operating rules, this condition must be determined during the pre-flight check. 

The remote pilot must abort the flight if he knows or has reason to believe that continuing the flight would endanger other aircraft, people, or property.

Maintenance and inspection

The remote pilot or the owner of a remotely piloted aircraft system must:

1. Maintain the remotely piloted aircraft system in conditions permitting safe operation.
2. Inspect the remotely piloted aircraft system before any flight to determine if the system can operate safely.
3. Keep an up-to-date register of all checks carried out before each flight operation. These recordings could then be consulted during an incident or accident.

Inspections and demonstrations

The remote pilot or the owner of a remotely piloted aircraft system must, upon request, make available to ANAC:

1. The remote pilot license with the associated aircraft class.
2. The identification certificate for the remotely piloted aircraft system and
3. any other document, file, or report that the remote pilot or the owner of a remotely piloted aircraft must keep under these regulations.
4. The remote pilot or the owner of a remotely piloted aircraft system shall, upon request, allow ANAC to perform any testing or inspection of the remotely piloted aircraft system of the remote pilot to determine compliance with the requirements of this Regulation.

Operating rules 

Remotely piloted aircraft operator certificate

Per these regulations, the operator or owner of a remotely piloted aircraft must hold an Operation Certificate issued by ANAC. 

The Certificate authorizes the operator of a remotely piloted aircraft to conduct operations under the conditions and limitations specified in the operations specifications that accompany the Certificate. 

The ANAC’s issuance of the Certificate is contingent on the operator’s ability to demonstrate compliance with its methods of control and supervision of flight operations and the training of its personnel concerning the scope of its operations. 

The certificate request is sent to the ANAC following the regulations in effect. 

The Certificate can only be issued after a fee is paid.

The ANAC issues the Certificate to the applicant if he:

1. Has its main operating base in Ivory Coast.
2. Fulfills the conditions required by this Regulation.
3. has qualified remote pilots for the safe operation of his (her)remotely piloted aircraft, and
4. satisfies any other condition required by the ANAC.

The Certificate contains at least the following elements:

1. The name of the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC).
2. The number of the Certificate and its date of validity.
3. The name of the operator of the remotely piloted aircraft, the trade name (if different), and the address of the main operating base.
4. Date of issue, name, signature, and title of representative of the ANAC.
5. Contacts of those responsible for operations.
6. Description of the types of operations authorized.
7. The type or model of remotely piloted aircraft used and the authorized areas of operation.

Note: Those responsible for the operations must always be reachable during the operation.

The Certificate is valid for 12 months.

The continued validity of the operating Certificate depends on the operator’s ability to comply with the requirements of these regulations.

Dangerous operations

No one should:

1. Operate remotely piloted aircraft carelessly or recklessly that could endanger the life or property of others.
2. Allow a remotely piloted aircraft to drop or drop an object if such action could endanger the life or property of others.

Day operations

All remotely piloted aircraft operations must be carried out between sunrise and sunset.

Night operations are prohibited in the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.

Visual or sight operations

When operating a remotely piloted aircraft, the remote pilot must maintain permanent visual contact with the aircraft to:

1. Maintain operational control of the remotely piloted aircraft.
2. Always know the position of the remotely piloted aircraft.
3. Determine the behavior, altitude, and direction of the aircraft remotely piloted.
4. Monitor the airspace for the presence of other aircraft or hazards, and
5. ensure that the remotely piloted aircraft does not constitute a danger to the life or property of others.

Operation of several remotely piloted aircraft

The operation of multiple aircraft systems remotely piloted by a remote pilot simultaneously is prohibited in the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.

Operation near aircraft, priority rules

The remote pilot must maintain vigilance to detect and avoid other aircraft and machines and give them priority of passage. 

The remote pilot should not fly over, under, or in front of another aircraft or craft unless the situation is clear. 

No one shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft in such a way as to create a risk of collision or collision with another aircraft.

Operation over people

No person shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft at any height within the lateral limits of 50m of a person or a gathering or crowd of persons in an open space.

Operation in controlled airspace

A remotely piloted aircraft may not operate in controlled airspace unless authorized by the control body in charge. 

A remotely piloted aircraft must operate at least 10 kilometers from any aerodrome’s reference point. 

Any person operating a remotely piloted aircraft must ensure that the appropriate control unit is notified when the remotely piloted aircraft enters controlled airspace inadvertently.

Operation in uncontrolled airspace

If a remote pilot must fly in uncontrolled airspace, they must notify the nearest airspace control unit as soon as possible.

Operations in a special status area

No one may operate a remotely piloted aircraft in a space with special status published in the PA of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire unless this person has obtained written authorization from the competent authority.

Pre-flight, inspection, and actions to be taken before an operation by remotely piloted aircraft

Before any flight, the remote pilot must:

1. Evaluate the operating environment by considering the risks associated with people and properties in their immediate environment, both on the ground and in the air. This assessment should include:
   1. Local weather conditions.
   2. Local airspace and any flight restrictions; c) the position of people and goods on the ground.
   3. Any other danger on the ground.
2. Ensure all persons involved with the remotely piloted aircraft are briefed, including operating conditions, emergency procedures, contingency procedures, roles and responsibilities, and potential hazards.
3. Ensure that all links between the ground station and remotely piloted aircraft function correctly.
4. Ensure that the remotely piloted aircraft system is airworthy.
5. If the remotely piloted aircraft is motorized, ensure that it has sufficient power to operate for the entire planned duration of the operation and operate for at least 5 minutes after the end of the operation.

Anyone involved in the operation must perform the tasks assigned by the remote pilot.

Remotely piloted aircraft operating limitations

All remote pilots must comply with the following limitations:

1. The speed of the remotely piloted aircraft must not exceed 87 knots (87 kts) calibrated at maximum power in level flight.
2. The altitude of the remotely piloted aircraft must not exceed 300 feet (300ft) above the ground.
3. The lateral distance from a person, building, structure, vehicle, vessel, or animal unrelated to the remotely piloted aircraft must be at least 50m.
4. the lateral distance between the remotely piloted aircraft and its remote pilot must not exceed 300 m.
5. the remotely piloted aircraft must not operate over or within any congested area of ​​a town, village, or locality.
6. As observed from the ground station, the minimum flight visibility must be at least 3 NM (5 km).
7. The minimum distance of the remotely piloted aircraft from the clouds must not be less than:
   1. 500 ft (150m) below the cloud.
   2. 2000 ft (600 m) horizontally from clouds.

Special Activities Manual (MAP)

In addition to the manufacturer’s operating procedures, the owner or remote pilot must create an ANAC-acceptable Specific Activities Manual. 

Normal operations, link loss operations, and emergency operations should all be covered in the manual. 

ANAC provides a template for the Special Activities Manual for Remotely Piloted Aircraft. 

The holder of an operating certificate must set up a record-keeping system (registers) that allows for adequate recording and reliable traceability of activities. 

The format of the records should be specified in the Special Activities Manual of the Certificate Holder. 

Failure to file the annual balance sheet one month after the allotted period results in suspending its operations for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Licenses

Remote pilot license

Unless they have an Ivorian remote pilot license with a remotely piloted aircraft rating per these regulations, no one shall fly remotely piloted aircraft.

Eligibility for the remote pilot license

To be eligible for a remote pilot license, the applicant must:

1. Be at least 18 years old; be able to read, speak, write and understand French.
2. Pass a theoretical knowledge test running the fields specified by law.
3. Pass a skills test supervised by ANAC.
4. Hold a class 3 medical certificate.

Issuance of a remote pilot license

The application for a remote pilot license, accompanied by a rating for remotely piloted aircraft, is submitted to ANAC following applicable regulations.

The application package must include:

1. An application form.
2. A theoretical knowledge test report.
3. A skills test report.
4. Proof of the applicant’s ability to read, speak, write, and understand French.
5. A copy of a document identifying the applicant.
6. A copy of class 3 medical certificate.
7. A criminal record certificate dated less than three (03) months.

The remote pilot license is valid for five (05) years.

The remotely piloted aircraft rating attached to the license is valid for twenty-four (24) months.

Recent aeronautical knowledge

No person shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft unless he meets one of the following conditions:

1. Have passed an initial test of theoretical knowledge within the previous twenty-four (24) months, as required by these regulations.
2. Have passed a theoretical knowledge retraining test in the last twenty-four (24) months per the requirements of these regulations

Knowledge tests: general

ANAC or persons designated by ANAC conducts the knowledge tests required by these regulations.

A candidate for a knowledge test must be appropriately identified in the applicant’s application file, which includes the following information:

1. One (01) photo.
2. The signature of the applicant.
3. The date of birth showing that the applicant respects the age limit conditions.

The minimum passing score for the knowledge test is 70%.

Initial knowledge test and periodic test

The initial theoretical knowledge test covers the areas of the following knowledge:

1. The regulations applicable to remotely piloted aircraft.
2. The classification of airspaces and their conditions operating.
3. Obstacle clearance and flight limitations affect the operation of a remotely piloted aircraft.
4. Official sources of meteorological data and their effects on the performance of remotely piloted aircraft.
5. The performance and loading of remotely piloted aircraft.
6. Emergency procedures.
7. Crew resource management (CRM).
8. Radio communication procedures.
9. Determining the performance of remotely piloted aircraft.
10. Physiological effects of drugs and alcohol.
11. Aeronautical judgments and decision-making, and
12. Airport operations.

The periodic or retraining test of theoretical knowledge covers the following areas:

1. The regulations applicable to remotely piloted aircraft.
2. The classification of airspaces and their conditions operations, obstacle clearance, and the limitations of flight affecting the operation of a remotely piloted aircraft.
3. Official sources of meteorological data and their effects on the performance of remotely piloted aircraft.
4. Emergency procedures; crew resource management (CRM).
5. Aeronautical judgments and decision-making, and
6. Airport operations.

The remote pilot’s responsibility 

The remote pilot is directly responsible for and in charge of the remotely piloted aircraft system’s operation. 

The remote pilot must ensure that the remotely piloted aircraft will not endanger other aircraft, people, or property if it loses control.

Medical problems and the use of psychoactive substances 

No one shall act as a remotely piloted aircraft pilot if he knows or has reason to believe that his physical or mental condition may pose a security risk. 

No one shall fly a remotely piloted aircraft while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or other psychoactive substances.

SANCTIONS

Financial repercussions 

Anyone who violates the provisions of these regulations faces fines. 

The Civil Aviation Code provides for this. 

Sanctions for crimes 

Any violation of the provisions of the current regulations is punishable by the penalties specified in the Civil Aviation Code. 

Administrative penalties 

Suppose ANAC determines that the conditions that existed at the time of the certificate or license’s issuance are no longer guaranteed. In that case, it may modify, suspend, or revoke the Certificate or license.

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Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in the Ivory Coast

See the general rules above.

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Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in the Ivory Coast

See the general rules above.

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Useful published information on flying drones in the Ivory Coast

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

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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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