Dominican Republic

UAS Regulations

The IDAC has an information poster on drones here: 

https://www.idac.gob.do/aviso-sobre-el-uso-y-operacion-de-aeronaves-pilotadas-a-distancis-rpas-o-drones/

IDAC Flight Standards Directorates publishes useful information on the responsible use of drones: https://www.idac.gob.do/si-utilizas-un-rpa-dron/

Here is an unofficial translation to English:

You are responsible for each flight.
Take your time to understand the rules, as you are legally responsible for each flight.
You should never fly through forbidden areas
You should never fly an RPA in prohibited, restricted or airport areas. Failure to comply will result in drastic penalties.
Keep your RPA/drone in sight.
You must keep your RPA in view at all times and operate the RPA below 400 feet.
Remember your insurance policy.
Must be covered by a civil liability policy against third parties, in accordance with the RAD 107.69.
Keep your distance:
It is illegal to fly an RPA over an area congested with people. Never fly within 50 meters of people, vehicles, or buildings.
Consider privacy rights:
Think about what you do with the images you get, as improper use of them can violate Privacy Rights.

 Details are also provided on registration requirements and for the RPA operator: theory exam and skills flight test;
 and from the Law 491-06:

THE SYSTEMS OF DISTANCE PILOTED AIRCRAFT (RPAS) OR DRONES The Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC), in accordance with the provisions of Law 491-06 of Civil Aviation of the Dominican Republic, reiterates to the operators of the  Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) or drones -commercial and recreational- that during their operations must not operate over the prohibited, restricted or dangerous areas published by this institute in the Aeronautical Information Publication or AIP for its acronym in English,  the Dominican Republic, posted on the institution's website: www.idac.gov/servicios/serviciosdenavegacionaerea/AIP, or in violation of the operating rules and operational restrictions set forth in national regulations, especially operating on people who do not  participate directly in the operation, unless they have the appropriate authorization from the competent general aviation authority or ATC and the entity that used  to or control the area.  WARNING, that its non-compliance would entail the initiation of the sanctioning and submission procedures set forth in national legislation.  In the city of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, National District, Capital of the Dominican Republic
 

To confirm, this means all aircraft (inlcuding drones) are banned from operating in prohibited areas:
https://www.idac.gob.do/el-idac-ofrece-explicacion-sobre-operacion-de-aeronaves-en-zonas-prohibidas/
that are listed in the AIP section ENR 6.3-Prohibited, Restricted and Dangerous Zones
https://aip.idac.gob.do/Aip/enroute .

The IDAC generally prohibits the use and operation of private drones in the national territory days (for example in 2020: on March 15 and May 17).
 

[LATEST UPDATE: December 2023, David Guerin]

The information below is updated through this link: https://www.idac.gob.do/necesidad-de-reglamentar-innovaciones-del-transito-aereo-no-tripulado-sin-comprometer-seguridad-operacional/

Drones under 4.4 pounds don't require an authorization to be flown. These must be made out of flexible material so that they would break on contact with persons or objects. These should not be flown higher than 1500 feets and no further than 455 meters from the pilot operating the drone.

 

Resolution No. 008-2015 (07/20/2015)

 

That regulates the use and operation of remote aircraft systems (RPAS) or drones in the national territory

http://idac.gob.do/descargas/4318/

 

The resolution is marked with number 008-2015, signed by Dr. Alejandro Herrera, general director of IDAC, protected by Law 491-06, which gives him the responsibility for issuing rules and regulations that promote operational safety.

 

Unmanned aircraft weighing less than 4.4 pounds will not require authorization from the IDAC Operations Department, although they do have to meet some conditions. As the fact of being constructed with flexible materials, that on contact with objects or people can break, or distort. And they should not exceed 1,500 feet, 455 meters, in flight with their operator. The website of the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC) was last checked in April 2016.

 

Last Updated April 30, 2016