CAAP warns drone users of proper procedures

MANILA, Philippines - The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) warned users of drones or unmanned aircraft that include filmmakers, photographers, hobbyists, researchers, geodetic survey firms and media agencies that there are existing rules and procedures that apply to the use of such devices.

Under provisions of the Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations (PCAR), any operator found violating rules would be fined P300,000 to P500,000 for each unauthorized flight, depending on the gravity of the violation.

The number of drone users in the Philippines is fast increasing as prices of the gadgets have gone down due to high demand and technological advancement.

CAAP, in its Memorandum Circular No. 20-14 series of 2014 dated June 26, 2014, requires unmanned aircraft vehicle (UAV) owners and operators to register their equipment with the CAAP and be issued license to operate.

Any violation of the memorandum will be dealt with accordingly as the aviation body imposes stiff penalties to regulate operations of UAV, specially in restricted areas like airports, crowded areas and “no fly zones,” according to Capt. Beda Badiola, CAAP assistant director general and head of Flight Standard Inspectorate Service (FSIS).

The FSIS oversees and regulates all flight operations of manned and unmanned aircraft in Philippine airspace.

In its memo, CAAP defines controller of UAV as a person who performs a function similar to the flight crew of regular aircraft.

Large UAV means an unmanned airship with an envelope capacity greater than 100 cubic meters, while micro UAV means a drone with gross weight of 100 grams or less, a small UAV.

A toy version of the unmanned aircraft has been a big hit with children. A six-inch metal model of the predator RQ-1 recommended for children aged three and above is highly popular with kids in developed countries.