"Drone pilots have long complained that the SACAA is not issuing pilot licences fast enough. With an application process that can take up to three years – and to date little by way of enforcement of regulations – only an estimated 1% of those who operate drones in South Africa are doing so legally."
Is that statement true?
https://www.businessinsider.co.za/prote ... ent-2019-9
"The viral drone image could land photographer in jail"
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Re: "The viral drone image could land photographer in jail"
-CoBuS- wrote: Tue Sep 10, 2019 1:27 pm "Drone pilots have long complained that the SACAA is not issuing pilot licences fast enough. With an application process that can take up to three years – and to date little by way of enforcement of regulations – only an estimated 1% of those who operate drones in South Africa are doing so legally."
Is that statement true?
https://www.businessinsider.co.za/prote ... ent-2019-9
Well I can only assume that the reporter ask the question of or read this info from a poster on one of the Facebook groups run by individuals who have absolutely no idea of what is happening and are only focused on pushing their agenda's, in the process allowing the masses with no real insight to document their expert opinions.
To answer your question, completely inaccurate.
License application processing time is around 5days. Enforcement regulations well that's two parts
1. Enforcement ( well the article itself proves that enforcement is available )
2. Regulations are available and gazetted
Then 1% of legal ops vs 99% illegal , I actually have no idea what the share is of each so can't comment on that.
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Re: "The viral drone image could land photographer in jail"
IMHOMultirotordronepilot wrote: Tue Sep 10, 2019 4:34 pm-CoBuS- wrote: Tue Sep 10, 2019 1:27 pm "Drone pilots have long complained that the SACAA is not issuing pilot licences fast enough. With an application process that can take up to three years – and to date little by way of enforcement of regulations – only an estimated 1% of those who operate drones in South Africa are doing so legally."
Is that statement true?
https://www.businessinsider.co.za/prote ... ent-2019-9
Well I can only assume that the reporter ask the question of or read this info from a poster on one of the Facebook groups run by individuals who have absolutely no idea of what is happening and are only focused on pushing their agenda's, in the process allowing the masses with no real insight to document their expert opinions.
To answer your question, completely inaccurate.
License application processing time is around 5days. Enforcement regulations well that's two parts
1. Enforcement ( well the article itself proves that enforcement is available )
2. Regulations are available and gazetted
Then 1% of legal ops vs 99% illegal , I actually have no idea what the share is of each so can't comment on that.
99% recreational drones, used as a toy, no licence required, apply common sense and the guidelines published on the SACAA website, of the "do's and don't's" of where and how to fly their toy's.
1% licenced / operating certificate, utilized in a controlled commercial operation, and compliant and approved operations.
then their are the portion of "non-aviation" business's such as news agencies, estate agents etc, that are oblivious to the regulations, but utilize their drones in a commercial application.
As above, many more applications to become a commercial operator, but so many of these applicants don't have aviation law, and principles in their background, and this draws out the certification endlessly to get the new operator to become compliant with the regulations.
eg. Estate agents, who's knowledge base is selling property, want to diversify into commercial drone operations, for the purpose of capturing footage of their property portfolio, but alas, have no knowledge of the world of aviation, risks, regulations.
IMHO
sometimes we suffer a bit from C.R.A.F.T. sickness..Can't Remember A F@#%ing Thing
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Re: "The viral drone image could land photographer in jail"
As stated above, the issuing of an RPL usually takes around 5 days.
However, you cannot just do a job/take pictures to gain revenue just because you have a RLP. You need to be a holder of an ROC.
It took us 2 years to get our ROC (we were one of the first operators to get our ROC)
Since July 2015 when it started to become illegal to operate commercially without an ROC, we immediately started to apply for our ROC. We however decided not to do jobs without an ROC, as there were a lot of pressure as to "you will never get an ROC if you get caught flying without an ROC" so we lost a lot of opportunities and clients because of this. Fortunately the main business is Survey, so there was still that holding things together.
So getting an RPL is not the issue. The issue is getting an ROC and if you like it or not, you need to have a QA manager, Safety manager, Security manager, Flight Ops manager and Person responsible:Aircraft. So go big or go home, or how other guys see it, go illegal
I guess.
However, you cannot just do a job/take pictures to gain revenue just because you have a RLP. You need to be a holder of an ROC.
It took us 2 years to get our ROC (we were one of the first operators to get our ROC)
Since July 2015 when it started to become illegal to operate commercially without an ROC, we immediately started to apply for our ROC. We however decided not to do jobs without an ROC, as there were a lot of pressure as to "you will never get an ROC if you get caught flying without an ROC" so we lost a lot of opportunities and clients because of this. Fortunately the main business is Survey, so there was still that holding things together.
So getting an RPL is not the issue. The issue is getting an ROC and if you like it or not, you need to have a QA manager, Safety manager, Security manager, Flight Ops manager and Person responsible:Aircraft. So go big or go home, or how other guys see it, go illegal

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Re: "The viral drone image could land photographer in jail"
P1esang wrote: Tue Sep 17, 2019 11:22 am As stated above, the issuing of an RPL usually takes around 5 days.
However, you cannot just do a job/take pictures to gain revenue just because you have a RLP. You need to be a holder of an ROC.
It took us 2 years to get our ROC (we were one of the first operators to get our ROC)
Since July 2015 when it started to become illegal to operate commercially without an ROC, we immediately started to apply for our ROC. We however decided not to do jobs without an ROC, as there were a lot of pressure as to "you will never get an ROC if you get caught flying without an ROC" so we lost a lot of opportunities and clients because of this. Fortunately the main business is Survey, so there was still that holding things together.
So getting an RPL is not the issue. The issue is getting an ROC and if you like it or not, you need to have a QA manager, Safety manager, Security manager, Flight Ops manager and Person responsible:Aircraft. So go big or go home, or how other guys see it, go illegalI guess.
What a delight to read some sensible, well written facts around this topic.



You will find this is rare when discussing any similar topic in this section of Avcom. Looking forward to more of the same
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Re: "The viral drone image could land photographer in jail"
I have just had a chat with the two law enforcement officers who intervened from the ground. Two officers who the City of Cape Town sent for specific training to assist with RPAS related issues. I can't say exactly what the conversation was but I can say that part 185 will have their opportunity to flex some muscles.