Drone Laws in Zambia

Summary of Drone Laws in Zambia

Agencies Responsible for regulating drones in the Republic of Zambia

Drone Regulator in Zambia: Zambia Civil Aviation Authority (ZCAA)

Contact Information

If you need additional details we have not covered or specific case assistance, you can contact the Zambia Civil Aviation Authority directly at:

• Address: Civil Aviation Authority, Former Zambia Airways Technical Base Hangar 38/947M Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, P.O. Box 50137, LUSAKA
• Phone: +260 211 251 677
• Email: Civil.Aviation@caa.co.zm

Please continue reading for more details on Zambia Drone Laws.

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UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in Zambia

The Zambian agency responsible for drone safety, ZCAA, has provided several internet-accessible details on flying a drone for fun or work. The highlights are enumerated below. For more details, click on the link above.

Are drones allowed in Zambia?

According to ZCAA, drones are allowed in Zambia, subject to ZCAA regulations. Read on for more details.

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

To legally fly a drone in Zambia, you must obtain a Remote Pilot Aircraft Letter of Approval (RLA), a Certificate of Registration, and an RPAS Pilot’s License (RPL). The Zambia Civil Aviation Authority can provide you with all the necessary documents.

• Drones can fly up to 120 meters in altitude (394 feet). 
• The drone’s altitude cannot exceed that of the highest object within a 300-meter radius. 
• Drones must remain within the pilot’s visual line of sight and cannot fly more than 500 meters horizontally away from the pilot (1,640 feet). 
• In Zambia, drone operators are required to have insurance. 
• Drones are not permitted to fly within a distance of ten kilometers (6.2 miles) of an airport. 
• Drones cannot be flown near sensitive areas, such as nuclear power plants, prisons, police stations, crime scenes, or significant national facilities. 
• On public roads, drones are not permitted to be launched or landed. 
• Nighttime operation of drones is not possible. 
• In Zambia, drones must have a license plate displaying their nationality and registration number. In addition, when a drone exceeds 1.5 kilograms, it cannot be used for private purposes (3.3 pounds).

Drones in Zambia must be identified with a fireproof license plate indicating their nationality and registration number. In addition, the badge must have a white background and be labeled with black letters.

RPAS Registration

Toy Drones do not require registration by the CAA.

Professional drones require registration by the CAA

Payment of ZMW 1,260=00 per drone for the Aircraft Certificate of Registration into the appropriate ZCAA account and submit the proof of payment to the ZCAA Accounts Unit for receipt issuance.

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Notes for foreign drone pilots visiting Zambia

Where drones are coming into the country for a specific operation and for a limited period, an Application for Temporary Importation and Special Authorization is required.

A. CUSTOMS CLEARANCE

Since the drone is being temporarily imported into Zambia, before the Customs Clearance of the drone, you must make arrangements with the ZCAA to inspect the RPAS for ZRA temporary importation clearance purposes.

In order therefore, for the ZCAA inspectors to carry out RPAS inspection for temporary importation of the drone, you are required to meet the following statutory costs and requirements.

1. Provide the following Details.
   • The Make, Model, and Serial Number of the drone.
   • The certificate of registration marks and nationality of the Drone.
   • Proof of Ownership of the Drone.
2. Pay ZMW 3,150.00 per drone for Aircraft Inspection of a Foreign Registered Aircraft into the appropriate ZCAA account and submit the proof of payment to the ZCAA Accounts Unit for receipt issuance.

B. SPECIAL AUTHORISATION, SAFETY OVERSIGHT AND SURVEILLANCE

Before the commencement of your drone operations, you are required to make arrangements with the ZCAA for an inspector to provide Safety Oversight and Surveillance for the operations.

Further to the above, before the granting of the Special Authorization and the provision of Safety Oversight and Surveillance for your RPAS operations, you will be required to meet the following statutory costs and requirements.

3. Provide the following details if not already provided.
   • The Purpose of the operation of the drone.
   • The certificate of registration and insurance of the Drone.
   • Detailed Maps and GPS Coordinates of operational sites.
   • The height above ground level at which the RPAS will be operating.
   • Dates and times of the drone operations.
   • The ROC Certificate of the drone operator if for commercial operations.
   • IDs and Pilot Licences for the pilots flying the drone.
   • Consent letters from relevant competent authorities if applicable.
4. Pay the ZCAA statutory fee, i.e., letter of approval fee of ZMW1,050.00, in the appropriate ZCAA account, and submit the proof of payment to ZCAA for receipt issuance. 
5. Provide Transport to enable the inspector to travel to/from operational sites and while on duty in operational areas.
6. Provide full board (accommodation and meals) to the inspector while on duty in Operational sites.
7. Pay ZCAA approved half-rate per diem of ZMW1300.00 X0.5=ZMW650.00 (as amended from time to time) per inspector per night for the total number of nights into the appropriate ZCAA account and submit the proof of payment to ZCAA Accounts Unit for issuance of a receipt.

Be further informed that for the ZCAA to provide safety oversight and surveillance during your RPAS operation, you shall be required to meet the following:

• Obtain Zambia Air Force (ZAF) Airspace clearance and other required permits before you embark on any RPAS operation in Zambia.
• Liaise with Zambia Police in every area where the RPAS will be flying and submit the associated police contact details to the ZCAA for verification purposes.
• Liaise with Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL) for accompaniment by a controller to coordinate with ATC wherever necessary.

IMPORTANT: Whether for Private or Corporate purposes, Remote Pilot License “RPL” Is required to operate a drone.

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Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in Zambia

Private use of a drone is permitted if it does not exceed 1.5 kilograms in weight or if it does not exceed 7 kilograms in weight but has a maximum kinetic energy of 15 kJ. 

A first aid kit and a fire extinguisher must always be carried with you during a drone flight.

See the general rules above.

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Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in Zambia

Commercial drone pilots operating in Zambia must possess a ZCAA-issued Remote Pilot License (RPL). To get an RPL, the applicant must:

• Be at least 18 years old to obtain an RPL. 
• Possess a medical examination report. 
• Demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency
• pass the ZCAA’s required exams.

See the general rules above.

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Useful published information on flying drones in Zambia

Here is an example of what is available when flying a drone legally in Zambia…

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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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