Drone Laws in the Sultanate of Oman

Last updated on April 15th, 2023 at 07:03 pm

Agencies Responsible for regulating drones in the Sultanate of Oman

Drone Regulator in Oman: Oman Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)

Link to Oman Drone Laws: Oman CAR-102 Civil Aviation Regulation Remote Piloted Aircraft (Drones) Effective: 30th December 2021

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UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in Oman

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

Are drones allowed in Oman?

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

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

Here is a summary table provided by the CAA of prerequisites for using an unmanned aircraft in Oman:

An RPA is operated in standard RPA operating conditions providing adherence to the following: 

• Except for a MicroRPA (less than 250 gm), all RPAs must be registered with the CAA before their use within the Sultanate of Oman (see paragraph (h)); and
• The RPA is operated within the visual line of sight (VLOS) of the person using the RPA; and 
• the RPA is operated at or below 400 ft AGL by day; and
• the RPA is not operated within 30 m of a person who is not directly associated with the operation of the RPA; and
• the RPA is not used:
  • in a prohibited area; or 
  • in a restricted area; or 
  • in a dangerous area; or 
  • over a populous area; or 
  • within three nautical miles (5.5km) of the movement area of a controlled aerodrome; and 
  • clear of all landing and takeoff paths to all runways of all aerodromes. 
• the RPA is not operated over a place where a fire, police, or other public safety or emergency operation is being conducted without the approval of a person in charge of the operation; and
• the person operating the RPA operates only one RPA.
• Drones shall be registered by the first owner of that drone, who will then advise the CAA when one of the following occurs:
  • The drone is sold, or ownership is transferred to another person; or 
  • The drone is destroyed through a crash where no injuries were incurred by third parties or buildings; or 
  • The drone is no longer being flown due to unserviceability. 

Note: Registration of drones can be carried out through the CAA website www.caa.gov.om, where the owner must register the drone upon the first arrival in Oman or after the ownership of that drone to another person. 

Excluded RPA can be operated without a certain license and permissions. 

1. A micro RPA is an excluded RPA. 
2. A very small RPA is an excluded RPA if it is being operated:
   • by or on behalf of the owner of the RPA; and
   • by a person who holds a remote pilot license that authorizes the person to use the RPA; and
3. A small RPA is an excluded RPA if it is being operated:
   • over land owned or occupied by the owner of the RPA; and
   • in standard RPA operating conditions; and
   • for the purposes of one or more of the following:
     • aerial spotting;
     • aerial photography;
     • agricultural operations;
     •  aerial communications retransmission;
     • the carriage of cargo;
     • any other activity similar to an activity mentioned in the subparagraphs above. No remuneration is received by the operator or owner of the RPA, the owner or occupier of the land, or any person on whose behalf the activity is being conducted.
4. A small RPA, or a medium RPA, is an excluded RPA if it is operated for sport or recreation. 
5. A small RPA, or a medium RPA, is an excluded RPA if it is being used in standard RPA operating conditions by:
   • A person for the sole purpose of meeting the experience requirement mentioned in CAR- 102.255(2)(c) for the grant of a remote pilot license; or 
   • The holder of a remote pilot license for the sole purpose of getting practical experience and gaining competency in the operation of an RPA, including a kind of RPA that is not specified in the holder’s remote pilot license. 
6. A medium RPA is an excluded RPA if it is being operated:
   • by or on behalf of the owner of the RPA; and 
   • by a person who holds a remote pilot license that authorizes the person to operate the RPA; and 
   • over land owned or occupied by the owner of the RPA; and 
   • in standard RPA operating conditions; and 
   • for the purposes of one or more of the following:
     • aerial spotting. 
     • aerial photography. 
     • agricultural operations. 
     • aerial communications retransmission. 
     • the carriage of cargo. 
     • any other activity like an activity mentioned in the subparagraphs above. No remuneration is received by the operator or owner of the RPA, the owner or occupier of the land, or any person on whose behalf the activity is being conducted. 
7. An RPA is an excluded RPA if it is being operated:
   • by a person solely for the person receiving training from an RPA operator who holds a certificate under this regulation that authorizes the operator to conduct operations using the RPA; and
   • per the operator’s documented training procedures. 

Note for foreign operators

If you’re traveling to Oman and want to bring your drone, PACA lists these special considerations for foreigners who wish to fly drones:

• Oman currently permits only commercial drone flights. 
• Permits are required for all commercial flights. Before entering the country, a permit must be obtained.
• If Drone operations involve the use of foreign remote-piloted civil aircraft, the operator shall be required to obtain an RPA Operator Permit before conducting any commercial air operations. 

1. Service name and description

• Issuance of approval to operate Drone in Oman Airspace
• Service is requested by Government, companies, and individuals (in the future)
• Drone operator shall be 18 years old and above (Passport /ID copy).

2. Service stages brief description

• Fill in AWR application form 033
• Submit all documents required
• Making sure that the request complies with CAA requirements.
• Aware of Civil Aviation Low/Civil Aviation Regulation (CAR107)  and   executive regulation
• Paying the imposed fees before granting the approval.

3. Service provider

Department of Flight Safety – Airworthiness Section

4. Service-related information

• The average required time to provide the service depends on receiving the complete application and receiving no objection letters from ROP,NSA,RAFO and Ministry of information in case of filming production. 

5. Service-required documents

• Sponsor/contractor covering letter
• Applicant covering letter
• Certificate of  Insurance (in future)
• Operation Manual/Drone Specifications
• Operational Site coordinates/flight level required
• Prove  Remote pilot; License/Training (in the future)

Permit Requirements for Flying a Drone in Oman

Before flying, a permit is required. 

The permit must be obtained at least 15 days before the anticipated flight date and must be received before entering the country (even if you do not intend to fly that day). 

Permits may be obtained by submitting the following information to Oman’s National Survey Authority (NSA): 

• The drone pilot’s name and the names of any other individuals involved in the planned photography/videography shoot. 
• The primary contact’s information. 
• The shoot’s objective. 
• Specifics of the flight (i.e., location, coordinates, takeoff and landing locations, and time span for the planned flight). 
• A description of the drone(s) that will be used, as well as photographs. 

Drone authorization 

The minimum age requirement for obtaining a drone license is 18 years. 

Drones should also be insured against “civil liability” for the duration of the license’s validity period. 

Licenses will be valid for one year and will be renewable. 

Documents required to apply for a drone license include the following: 

• A description of the drone’s technical specifications 
• A statement of the drone’s mission 
• Determine the time and location of the drone’s flight, with the area determined using coordinates, a digital map, or an illustration. 
• Identify the individuals who wish to operate the drone

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Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in Oman

See the general rules above.

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Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in Oman

See the general rules above.

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Useful published information on flying drones in Oman

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

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NOTE: 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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