PRIVATE VS CoMMERCIAL PILOTS

In South Africa the law generally divides drone use into private (recreational) and commercial/corporate categories, with different legal requirements for each. These categories are defined under the Civil Aviation Regulations – Part 101: Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) enforced by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA).

1. Private (Recreational/Personal) Use

What it is

• Using a drone for personal enjoyment, hobby flying or personal photography/video, with no commercial outcome, interest, or financial gain.

Key features

• No SACAA registration required for purely private flights (though general safety obligations still apply).

• No Remote Pilot Licence (RPL/RPC) is needed.

• You must still follow basic safety rules:

  • Keep the drone in direct visual line-of-sight (within ~500 m).

  • Don’t fly above 120 m (400 ft).

  • Don’t fly closer than 50 m to people, property, roads, or animals.

  • Avoid flying within controlled/restricted airspace or within 10 km of an aerodrome without permission.

• Only certain classes of small drones (e.g < 7 kg) are permitted for private use.

• You must respect privacy, liability, and other laws even if you don’t need a licence.

Typical scenarios

• Flying for personal videos/pictures

• Hobby drone flying at a park or on private property

• Learning to fly without earning money

2. Commercial & Corporate Use

In South African law, commercial and corporate drone use aren’t separate in how the regulations treat them — both fall under the “other use” category involved in business, organisational, institutional or non-private purposes.

What it covers

• Any drone operations connected to earning revenue, supporting business functions, or organisational purposes, including:

  • Paid aerial photography/videography

  • Inspections (infrastructure, mining, agriculture, energy)

  • Surveying, mapping or GIS work

  • Security surveillance by companies or NGOs

  • Corporate projects (even if not directly for pay)

  • Research operations that support organisational objectives (depending on policy)

Requirements
For commercial/corporate (non-private) use you must:
✔ Register the drone with SACAA (Certificate of Registration).
✔ Obtain a Remote Pilot License (RPL/RPC) issued by SACAA.
✔ Apply for an RPAS Operator Certificate (UASOC/ROC) that certifies your operation.
✔ Get a Letter of Approval (RLA) from the SACAA for the intended operation.
✔ In many cases, secure an Air Service Licence (ASL) from the relevant authority.
✔ Maintain safety management systems, manuals, insurance, and compliance documentation.

Why the extra rules
This regulatory approach recognises that operational risks, public safety obligations, and the potential for interference with other airspace users or people/property on the ground are greater where drones are used as part of business or organisational activities — whether for profit or not.

Typical scenarios

• Aerial filming for a paying client

• Drone surveys commissioned by a business

• A company using drones for maintenance inspections

• An NGO using drones for environmental monitoring (treated like commercial if not strictly private)