Palau

UAS Regulations

The Republic of Palau National Aviation Administration (AG.ADMINISTRATOR/DGCA,  Richard Alonz) has kindly provided the following documents regarding drone use in Palau:

PART 22—SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (please contact the Administrator DGCA for a copy):

Contents
 Subpart A—General
§22.1    Applicability.
§22.3    Definitions.
§22.5    Falsification, reproduction or alteration.
§22.7    Inspection, testing, and demonstration of compliance.
§22.9    Accident reporting.
Subpart B—Operating Rules
§22.11    Applicability.
§22.12    Requirement for a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating.
§22.13   Registration.
§22.15    Condition for safe operation.
§22.17    Medical condition.
§22.19 Remote pilot in command.
§22.21    In-flight emergency.
§22.23    Hazardous operation.
§22.25    Operation from a moving vehicle or aircraft.
§22.27    Alcohol or drugs.
§22.29    Daylight operation.
§22.31    Visual line of sight aircraft operation.
§22.33    Visual observer.
§22.35    Operation of multiple small unmanned aircraft.
§22.36    Carriage of hazardous material.
§22.37    Operation near aircraft; right-of-way rules.
§22.39    Operation over human beings.
§22.41    Operation in certain airspace.
§22.43    Operation in the vicinity of airports.
§22.45    Operation in prohibited or restricted areas.
§22.47    Flight restrictions in the proximity of certain areas designated by notice to airmen.
§22.49    Preflight familiarization, inspection, and actions for aircraft operation.
§22.51    Operating limitations for small unmanned aircraft.
Subpart C—Remote Pilot Certification
§22.53    Applicability.
§22.57    Offenses involving alcohol or drugs.
§22.59    Refusal to submit to an alcohol test or to furnish test results.
§22.61    Eligibility.
§22.63    Issuance of a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating.
§22.64    Temporary certificate.
§22.65    Correctness' of aeronautical knowledge.
§22.67    Knowledge tests: General procedures and passing grades.
§22.69    Knowledge tests: Cheating or other unauthorized conduct.
§22.71    Retesting after failure.
§22.73    Initial and recurrent knowledge tests.
§22.74    Initial and recurrent training courses.
§22.77    Change of name or address.
§22.79    Voluntary surrender of certificate.
Subpart D—Waivers
§22.200    Waiver policy and requirements.
§22.205      List of regulations subject to waiver.
 

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Public Advisory; Subject: UAS/Drone "KNOW BEFORE YOU FLY"
Date: May 03, 2017   PA No.: 8.17.05
Purpose: The purpose of this Advisory is to inform the general public the requirements for the use of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) or Drone for Recreational or Commercial operations within Palau Navigable Airspace Area of Responsibility.
 
PNAA Directive; Subject: Use of Palau Navigable Airspace
Date: August 01, 2018 PA No.: 01-18
Purpose: The purpose of this Directive is to inform the general public the requirements for the use of Palau Navigable Airspace under PNC Title 8 as amended by RPPL 5-19 and Aviation Rules and Regulations.

Please see the content of these documents below:
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PNAA Public Advisory
Subject: UAS/Drone "KNOW BEFORE YOU FLY"   Date:  May 03, 2017       PA No.:  8.17.05
Purpose: The purpose of this Advisory is to inform the general public the requirements for the use of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) or Drone for Recreational or Commercial operations within Palau Navigable Airspace Area of Responsibility.
 
Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones as they are often called, are increasingly available online and on store shelves. Prospective operators—from consumers to businesses—want to fly and fly safely, but many don’t realize that, just because you can easily acquire a UAS, doesn’t mean you can fly it anywhere, or for any purpose. “Know Before You Fly” is an educational campaign that provides prospective users with the information and guidance they need to fly safely and responsibly.
 
General: The recreational use of UAS is the operation of an unmanned aircraft for personal interests and enjoyment. For example, using a UAS to take photographs for your own personal use would be considered recreational; using the same device to take photographs or videos for compensation or sale to another individual would be considered a commercial operation. You should check with the Palau National Aviation Administration and Bureau of Aviation for further determination as to what constitutes commercial or other non-hobby, non-recreational UAS operations.
 
Any person or persons who plan or want to operate Drone/UAS or take to the air any airborne object shall make a written request to the Palau National Aviation Administration for an authorization or permit to operate or use Drone/UAS within Palau's Navigable Airspace.
      
Compliance is Mandatory: 
 
Operational Limitations:
a.           Unmanned aircraft must weigh less than 55 lbs. (25 kg).
b.           Visual line-of-sight (VLOS) only; the unmanned aircraft must remain within VLOS of the remote pilot in command and the person manipulating the flight controls of the small UAS. Alternatively, the unmanned aircraft must remain within VLOS of a visual observer.
c.           At all times, the small UAS must remain close enough to the remote pilot in command and the person manipulating the flight controls of the small UAS for those people to be capable of seeing the aircraft with vision unaided by any device other than normal corrective lenses.
d.           A small UAS may not operate over any person not directly participating in the operation, not under a covered structure, and not inside a covered stationary vehicle.
e.             Daylight-only operations, or civil twilight (30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset, local time) with appropriate anti-collision lighting. 
f.            Must yield right of way to other aircraft.
g.           May use a visual observer (VO) but not required.
h.           First-person view camera cannot satisfy “see-and-avoid” requirement but can be used as long as requirement is satisfied in other ways.
i.              Maximum groundspeed of 100 mph (87 knots).
j.              Maximum altitude of 400 feet above ground level (AGL) or, if higher than 400 feet (120 meters) AGL, remain within 400 feet (120 meters) of a structure.
k.             Minimum weather visibility of 3 miles (5 km) from control station.
l.               Operations in Class G airspace are allowed with the required AFIS permission.
m.            No person may act as a remote pilot in command or VO for more than one unmanned aircraft operation at one time.
n.           No operations from a moving aircraft.
o.           No operations from a moving vehicle unless the operation is over a sparsely populated area.
p.           No careless or reckless operations, including drinking or using drugs.
q.           No carriage of hazardous materials.
r.              Requires preflight inspection by the remote pilot in command.
s.           A person may not operate a small unmanned aircraft if he or she knows or has reason to know of any physical or mental condition that would interfere with the safe operation of a small UAS.
t.            Foreign-registered small unmanned aircraft are allowed to operate under PNAA Rules and Regulations.
u.           External load operations are allowed if the object being carried by the unmanned aircraft is securely attached and does not adversely affect the flight characteristics or controllability of the aircraft.
v.           Transportation of property for compensation or hire allowed provided that:
     1. The aircraft, including its attached systems, payload and cargo weigh less than 55 pounds (25 kg) total;
     2. The flight is conducted within visual line of sight and not from a moving vehicle or aircraft; and
     3. Most of the restrictions discussed above are waivable if the applicant demonstrates that his or her operation can safely be conducted under the terms of a certificate of waiver.
w.          A remote pilot in command must:
     1. Make available to the PNAA, upon request, the small UAS for inspection or testing, and any associated documents/records required to be kept under the rule.
     2. Report to the PNAA within 10 days of any operation that results in at least serious injury, loss of consciousness, or property damage of at least $500.
     3. Conduct a preflight inspection, to include specific aircraft and control station systems checks, to ensure the small UAS is in a condition for safe operation.
x.           All UAS or Drone Operators must contact Palau National Aviation Administration office at (680) 587-4363 or Aerodrome Flight Information Services (AFIS) of the Bureau of Aviation at (680) 587-3460 prior to any and all UAS or Drone operations within the airspace of Palau.

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PNAA Directive
Subject: Use of Palau Navigable Airspace             Date:    August 01, 2018  PA No.: 01-18
 
Purpose: The purpose of this Directive is to inform the general public the requirements for the use of Palau Navigable Airspace under PNC Title 8 as amended by RPPL 5-19 and Aviation Rules and Regulations.
 
 8 PNC §405. Airspace control and facilities.
              (a) Use of airspace. The Administrator may develop, plan for, and formulate policy with respect to the use of the navigable airspace, and assign by regulation or order the use of the navigable airspace under such terms, conditions, and limitations as he may deem necessary to insure the safety of aircraft and the efficient utilization of airspace.
              (b) Limits on authority. The authority of the Administrator under this Section may be exercised only in that airspace for which air traffic control responsibility has not been assigned to a foreign country by international agreement or other arrangement.
 
General:
 
8 PNC §407. Regulation of air traffic.
              (a) General. In the interests of aviation safety, the Administrator may promulgate air traffic regulations and issue orders:
(1) governing the flight of aircraft;
(2) for the navigation, protection, and identification of aircraft;
(3) for the protection of persons and property on the ground; and
(4) for the efficient utilization of the navigable airspace, including safe altitude of flight and prevention of collision between aircraft, between aircraft and land or water vehicles and objects, and between aircraft and airborne objects.
              (b)  Facilities and personnel.  The Administrator may provide, as required in the interest of aviation safety, the necessary facilities and personnel for the regulation and protection of air traffic.
              (c)  Limits on authority.  The authority granted to the Administrator under this Section shall be exercised only in that airspace for which air traffic control responsibility has not been assigned to a foreign country by international agreement or other arrangement.

General Penalty: Any person who violates any provision of this advisory or any regulation or order promulgate or issued hereunder shall be subject to a civil and/or criminal penalty in accordance with Palau laws (see 8 PNC §701 and 702)
Compliance is Mandatory: 

No person or persons may operates any aircraft or take to the air any airborne objects  without a written authorization or permit issued by the Administrator of PNAA and/or the Minister of Public Infrastructure, Industries and Commerce.

Any person or persons who plan or want to operate any aircraft or take to the air any airborne object shall make a written request  to Palau National Aviation Administration and/or the Minister of Public Infrastructure, Industries and
Commerce for an authorization or permit to operate or use the Palau's Navigable Airspace.

Any Authorization or permit issued by the Administrator of PNAA and/or the Minister of MPIIC shall be forwarded to the Bureau of Aviation Aerodrome Flight Information Services (AFIS). AFIS is responsible to disseminate and inform all aircraft operators operating within Palau's navigable airspace of the notice, advisory, permit or authorization.

All aircraft operators and airspace users must comply with any notice, advisory, permit or authorization issue by the Administrator and/or the Minister.
 
Should, the notice, advisory, permit or authorization jeopardize or pose adverse effect to any flight safety and efficiency, AFIS shall inform the Administrator and/or Minister immediately.

Richard Alonz, Acting Administrator

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[Last updated by David Guerin March 2021]