Colombia

UAS Regulations

The Civil Aviation Authority of Colombia / Unidad Administrativa Especial de Aeronáutica Civil (or Aeronáutica Civil, Aerocivil or UAEAC) has a drone 'landing page' here: https://www.aerocivil.gov.co/servicios-a-la-navegacion/sistema-%20de-aeronaves-pilotadas-a-distancia-rpas-drones/Paginas/default.aspx

Aerocivil has published: "GUIDE FOR APPLICATION FOR UAS FLIGHT AUTHORIZATION AND UAS TRAINING FLIGHT AREAS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE RAC 100 STANDARD Approval date: 07/11/23".

Aerocivil also has a geographic viewer for UAS operations: https://aerocivil.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/media/index.html?appid=b4be4d501c8d4bcabd0c35297521c16e&center=-74.3578;4.7377&level=10

A resolution was made in 2023 (in Spanish): 
https://www.aerocivil.gov.co/normatividad/Normatividad%20Institucional%20Resoluciones%202017/Resolucion_1226_26_junio_2023.pdf 

with an information sheet: https://www.aerocivil.gov.co/servicios-a-la-navegacion/sistema-%20de-aeronaves-pilotadas-a-distancia-rpas-drones/documentos2021/ABCDRONES%2028%20de%20julio.pdf

UAEAC has published UAS regulations (in Spanish, perhaps from 2015) as an appendix to Colombian Aeronautical Regulations (RAC 91) and these are on the ICAO UAS Toolkit Current State Regulations tab: https://www.icao.int/safety/UA/UASToolkit/DocumentsAndPdfs/Columbia.pdf  

Also, "Resolution No. 04201 of December 27, 2018, aims to expand the information and provide compliance instructions in reference to the Airworthiness and Operations requirements necessary for the registration of operators, operators and equipment, and to request permission to perform UAS flights, in accordance with the provisions of Appendix 13 of the Colombian Aeronautical Regulations (RAC 91), in relation to the performance of Remote Piloted Aircraft Systems operations - RPAS In colombia.": is here:  https://www.aerocivil.gov.co/servicios-a-la-navegacion/sistema-%20de-aeronaves-pilotadas-a-distancia-rpas-drones/Documents/RESL.%20%20N%C2%B0%2004201%20%20DIC%2027%20de%20%202018.pdf

Here is an unofficial translation of the Appendix 13 introductory parts:

APPENDIX 13
OPERATION OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS - UAS
1.2. General scope of application
(a) This appendix establishes the applicable rules governing:
(1) The requirements for the operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) with maximum take-off weight (mass) (MTOW) greater than 250 g, used in Civil activities, whatever the purpose of use, which is carried out within the airspace in which the State has jurisdiction Colombian, without prejudice to what is stipulated in international agreements in that Colombia be part.
(2) Any natural or legal person, as appropriate, who:
(i) Exploit and / or operate UAS with an MTOW greater than 250 gr, with any purpose.
(ii) Certify training and training in the operation of UAS.
(b) These rules will not apply to:
(1) Operations with model airplanes.
Note. - The regulation on operation with model aircraft is found in the RAC 4 standard, numeral 4.25.8., or the one that modifies or replaces it in the future.
(2) Operation with UAS with MTOW up to 250 gr.
(3) Operations with unmanned captive balloons.
Note. - The regulation on the operation of aerostats is in the Chapter XXIV of the RAC 4 standard, or the one that modifies or replaces it in the future.
(4) Non-radio controlled rocket operations.
(5) Operations carried out in their entirety in covered or confined spaces, which, for the purposes of this Appendix, are not considered as operation aerial.
Note. - In any case, operations on crowds should be avoided of people or in the vicinity of any person other than the operator.
(6) Operations carried out by the Military or Police Forces within the scope of their functions and in compliance with what is regulated by the AAAE, since they constitute activities of State aviation.
1.3. Classification of operations with UAS Operations with UAS are classified, according to operational risk, as follows:
(a) Class A (open). Corresponds to the operation of UAS that are within the limitations set forth in paragraph (a) of section 2.2. of this Appendix and that have an MTOW greater than 250 gr and up to 25 kg, for which reason they do not require authorization from the UAEAC, since their operation represents a minimal risk.
These devices, taking into account that their operation can be assimilated to Model aircraft will also be subject to the requirements and limitations established in paragraphs a), b), d), e), f), g), h) and i) of 4.25.8 of RAC 4 of the Aeronautical Regulations of Colombia, or of the one that in the future modifies or replace.
(b) Class B (regulated). Corresponds to the operation of UAS that are not within of Class A due to deviation from the limitations established in paragraph (a) of the section 2.2. of this Appendix or that have an MTOW greater than 25 kg and of up to 150 kg, for which they will always require authorization from the UAEAC, even when your operation could involve a very low risk.
(c) Class C (certified - RPAS). Corresponds to the operation of UAS outside the limitations set out in section 3.2. of this Appendix, with MTOW greater than 150 kg, international overflights and those that provide transport services, for which, for now, their operation is not authorized in the airspace where the Colombian State has jurisdiction, even though its operation could be of low risk.
Note. - The UAEAC reserves the possibility of issuing special permits based on in the rules of this Appendix, related to operations with UAS that, due to their technical characteristics and due to their operational purpose, they would be classified as Class C, the which are carried out by public or private entities duly recognized or authorized for the exclusive purposes of scientific research, innovation and development.

[Updated Sep 2021, David Guerin]