Botswana

UAS regulations

The CAAB has a webpage on drone registration: http://www.caab.co.bw/remotely-piloted-aircraft/ 

It is an offence to operate a Drone (also known as Remotely Piloted Aircrafts (RPAs) in Botswana without first registering with CAAB. Individuals and organisations wishing to register are required to pay BWP250 to CAAB for them to be issued with a certificate of use.

and this is explained further on the flyer: http://www.caab.co.bw/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/CAAB-Operating-Drones-1.pdf 

On 12th May 2016, both Civil Aviation Bye-Law 07-2016 [http://www.caab.co.bw/wp-content/uploads/Bye-Law-07-of-2016-Operation-of-Remotely-Piloted-Aircraft.pdf] and AIC 07/2016 [http://www.caab.co.bw/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/AIC_07_2016-Private-Commercial.pdf  ]  (the website link is Private-commercial) were published and provide the legal requirements for the operation of Remotely Piloted Aircraft within the Republic of Botswana (Commercial and Private) with a MAUW of 20kg and are limited to Visual Line-Of-Sight (VLOS) operations and Beyond Line Of Sight (BVLOS) under Special consideration approval. These regulations do not apply to model aircraft. 

These allow for authorization under special condition approvals for operations BVLOS (as per 5.15) and areas normally restricted (as per 5.10).


[LATEST UPDATE: May 2020, David Guerin; the information below may not be up to date]


New regulations for operating (private) drones in Botswana became effective from 2 July 2015, through aeronautical information circular (AIC) No. 6 “OPERATION OF REMOTELY OPERATED AIRCRAFT” (2015). http://www.caab.co.bw/tempx/REMOTELY%20CONTROLLED%20AIRCRAFT%20A2%20Poster.pdf 

The legal requirements information for operating RPAS in Botswana notes the regulations are only for the operation of RPA for private use. No regulatory statements could be found to clarify regulations for commercial operations. The CAAB has been contacted for a response.

All drones must be registered with the CAAB (Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana), including those used for private use.

You need to register your RPA with the CAAB to obtain a Certificate of Registration. Forms are available online at http://www.caab.co.bw/caab-download.php#toggleView%28q1%29. However, double-check with CAAB for the right forms to use (CAAB Form AIR 101; CAAB Form AIR 123).

For aerial work, or flying in no-fly zone, get permission first and provide: Certificate of registration number for the RPA; Date and time of proposed flight of RPA; Reason for proposed flight of RP; ROC for operator.

• The following regulations apply to the operation of RPA for Private use only, with a Maximum All Weight Up (MAUW) of 20kg and are limited to Visual-Line-Of-Sight (VLOS) operations.The RPA shall not be flown unless the Operator is present.
• The Operator will at all times maintain Visual-Line-of-sight (VLOS) with the RPA. This will be accomplished unaided by any device other than corrective lenses.
• RPA will be flown below 400ft Above Ground Level at all times and no further than 500m from the Operator at the controls of the RPA.
• The Operator may make use of a Visual Observer (VO).
• The Operator or the VO may not fly more than one RPA at any one time.
• The RPA registered in Botswana is not permitted to cross International Boundaries.
• No person shall operate an RPA unless they have in their possession the certificate issued by the Authority for each RPA in operation and the user manual for the RPA.

Operating Remotely Piloted Aircraft in Botswana, General regulatory requirements for the legal and safe operation of RPA within the lower aeronautical space of the Republic of Botswana, 29 Sep 2015, CAAB http://www.caab.co.bw/tempx/REMOTELY%20CONTROLLED%20AIRCRAFT-Peolwane.pdf

Legal Requirements for Operating Remotely Piloted Aircraft in Botswana, 29 Sep 2015, CAAB

http://www.caab.co.bw/tempx/REMOTELY%20CONTROLLED%20AIRCRAFT%20A2%20Poster.pdf