Malawi

UAS regulations

The CAA Malawi website doesn't appear to be functioning. A query email was sent to contacts within Malawi for information (David Guerin, May 2020).

Drone  regulations were published in January 2017 via AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION CIRCULAR A3/2017 'TECHNICAL GUIDANCE ON OPERATIONS OF REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT (RPA) IN MALAWI AIRSPACE':

[The following link does not work:}

http://www.civilaviation.gov.mw/phocadownload/airworthiness/AC-3RPA-Operations-Guidance-Malawi.pdf  

Presentation to the Village Reach UPDWG:
http://www.villagereach.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2018_02_15_UPWDG-Presentation_Hastings-DCA_14_02_18.pdf

and the associated guidance from Village Reach, UNICEF, etc.: Malawi RPA Toolkit: A Guideline for Drone Service Providers and Implementers in the Development, Humanitarian and Research Fields

https://www.updwg.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Malawi-RPA-Toolkit-2019_Dec.-Final.pdf

There is also information on drones on document pages 66-67 of the Malawi National Transport Master Plan: Civil Aviation Sub-Sectoral Plan:
https://www.malawi.gov.mw/images/Publications/NTMP_Final_Documents/Sub_Sector_Aviation/NTMP_Aviation_Sub-Sectoral_Plan.pdf

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

From the CAAM website in 2017:

Acceptable uses of RPA
 

For private use:

(a)    The RPA may only be used for an individual's personal and private purposes where there is no commercial outcome, interest or gain;

(b)    The person shall obtain prior authorisation from the  Department of Civil Aviation;

(c)    The pilot must observe all statutory requirements relating to liability, privacy and any other laws enforceable by any other authorities.

For all other use:

(a)    The RPA operated for commercial, corporate and non-profit operation  must be registered  and have an RPA Operator Certificate (ROC) issued by the  Department of Civil Aviation. 

Dangers of negligent operation of an RPA:

(a)   Collision with other aircraft, with possible fatal results

(b)   Injury to the public

(c)   Damage to people's property

(d)   Legal liability for breaking laws  such as privacy by-laws and other laws enforceable by other  
        authorities.

Do's and Don'ts:

DON'TS

DO NOT, through act or omission, endanger the safety of another aircraft or person therein or any person or property through negligent flying/operation of Remotely Piloted Aircraft, or toy aircraft.

Do not fly/operate Remotely Piloted Aircraft, or toy aircraft 30 m or closer from:

1. Any person or group of persons (like sports field, road races, schools, social events, etc.)
2. Any property without permission from the property owner.

Unless approved by the  Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), DO NOT fly/operate Remotely Piloted Aircraft or toy aircraft:

1. Near manned aircraft
2. 10 km or closer to an aerodrome (airport, helipad, airfield)
3. In controlled airspace
4. In restricted airspace
5. In prohibited airspace.

Do not fly/operate Remotely Piloted Aircraft, or toy aircraft higher than 150 ft from the ground, unless approved by the Director of Civil Aviation.

DO'S

1. Fly/operate Remotely Piloted Aircraft, or toy aircraft in a safe manner, at all times.
2. Remotely Piloted Aircraft or toy aircraft should remain within the visual line of sight at all times.
3. Fly/operate RPA in daylight and clear weather conditions.
4. Inspect your aircraft before each flight.

Note: All the application for Remote Pilot Aircraft use shall be addressed to the Director of Civil Aviation, director@civilaviation.gov.mw or Postal Address

The Director of Civil Aviation
P/Bag B311
Lilongwe 3

 [Updated 5 Oct 2017, by David Guerin].