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RADP / Pulse Ghana  >  news  >  business

Civil Aviation moves to restrict use of drones

Abu Mubarik

Statistics from GCAA shows a sharp increase in the use of remotely piloted aircraft systems, also known as drones for commercial and private purposes.

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A drone is a small aircraft piloted by computers on board or by remote controls on the ground. They are often used for military purposes because they don't put a pilot's life at risk in combat zones. However, with the advancement of technology, drones can now be produced for commercial use.

READ MORE:10 emerging technologies shaping African tech

At a stakeholders’ forum to discuss drone usage and its integration in Ghana’s airspace, a number of measures were proposed to ensure air safety.

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“The proposed restrictions is that RPAS or drones should not be flown within 10 km radius for instrument airports and 5 km for non-instrument airports. It should also not be flown 400 feet high,” Mr. Kofi Danso, Air Traffic Control, GCAA said at the forum.

The GCAA in June rolled out new guidelines for the use of drones, because of the threats they pose to humans, property and other aircrafts.

The new guidelines are meant to serve as supplementary  to the Ghana Civil Aviation (Safety) Regulations, 2011, L.I. 2000.

The guidelines are also to ensure safety in the operations of the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS).

The new guidelines are as follows:

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1. No person shall operate an RPAS without a license issued by the Authority.

2. No RPAS pilot shall operate an RPAS except in accordance with the ratings, limitations or endorsements of their license.

3. The exercise of the privileges granted by a remote pilot license shall depend on the validity of the license, the medical certificate and if applicable, of the ratings contained in the license.

4. An RPAS piloting license shall be valid for a period of five (5) years, renewable every year upon proof of a valid medical certificate.

READ MORE: Aviation Authority takes strict stance on use of drones

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According to the GCAA, more on the initial directives could be assessed on their website under the heading, “Safety Directives on Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS).”

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Abu Mubarik Abu Mubarik Abu Mubarik is a writer at Pulse Ghana with special interests in Ghana politics, international relations and geopolitics.

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