Bhutan

Create alternative language version

UAS Regulations

The Bhutan Civil Aviation Authority, Ministry of Information and Communications, Royal Government of Bhutan have created an excellent drone information 'landing page": https://www.bcaa.gov.bt/?page_id=2943

The BCAA has also published the following reminder [https://www.bcaa.gov.bt/?p=2354]:

Reminder: Prohibition on the use of drones

BCAA would like to once again inform the general public that the use of drones within the Bhutanese airspace is strictly prohibited.

Therefore, all are requested to kindly refrain from using/operating drones. Despite our repeated reminders, some people are still using it.

Severe actions will be taken for the illegal drone operators and repeated defaulters henceforth.

NOTE: The drone operations are allowed only for the Government Agencies as per UAS Regulation.

Please refer: https://www.bcaa.gov.bt/?page_id=2943

The BCAA published General Aviation: Unmanned Aircraft System Operations on 01 May 2017.

The regulations are available here: https://www.bcaa.gov.bt/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/UAS-Regulations.pdf

[LATEST UPDATE: August 2024, David Guerin]

Last update / 13.08.2024

Remote Pilot training efforts

2023 - JULY: WBG funded - Drones & Disaster Management: Bhutan

Leverages Robotics for Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment a project collaborated between NAXA and NFL (Nepal), Tara UAV (India), and BFL (Bhutan).
"The RGoB and the World Bank joined forces, signing a $4.2 million financing agreement to strengthen risk-informed decision-making and development planning in three different sub-components of the project. The project comprises three components: Component A, which included developing and piloting a multi-hazard risk decision support system. ... This training was conducted as a part of component A, which focused on developing the participants’ skills in piloting drones during various possible hazards and disasters."

2022 - JUNE: WFP funded - Emergency Preparedness and Response in Bhutan

"The 6-day drone training for Emergency Preparedness and Response in Bhutan with WFP Bhutan has started with the first day session on the Applications of Drones for Disaster Management"
Some of the Major Highlights:
1. Participation of 30 officials from different Bhutanese government agencies (Dept. of Disaster Management, Dept. of Survey, Geology and Mines, Royal Bhutan Army, Royal Bhutan Police,Dessung, Dept. of Hydrology and Meteorology, etc.)
2. Overview of Drone technology and its applications in DRRM
3. Group exercise where participants brainstorm about drone applications in Bhutan.
-Supported by World Food Programme Bhutan [see pp. 5-8]."