Applicability
Part 101 is applicable to RPAS operated for the purpose of:
-
Commercial operations
-
Corporate operations
-
Non-profit operations
-
Private Operations
The following are excluded:
-
Autonomous unmanned aircraft
-
Unmanned free balloons
-
Aircraft operated in terms of Part 94
-
Model aircraft
-
Toy aircraft
RPAS Operations Versus Required Approvcal
|
|
Type of Operation |
Commercial |
Corporate |
Non-profit |
Private |
Required
approval | | | | | |
|
ASL | | YES | N/A | N/A | N/A |
|
ROC | | YES | YES | YES | N/A |
|
RLA | | YES | YES | YES | N/A |
|
RPL | | YES | YES | YES | N/A |
|
C of R | | YES | YES | YES | N/A |
|
NOTE: RMT is required for maintenance on RPAS classified as class 3 and higher |
Abbreviations:
-
ASL – Air Service Licence
-
ROC – RPAS Operators Certificate
-
RLA – RPAS Letter of Approval
-
RPL – Remote Pilot Licence
-
CofR – Certificate of Registration
-
RMT – RPAS Maintenance Technician
RPAS Classification
* Refer to Regulation 101.01.3 and Document SA-CATS 101 for grouping and classification of RPAS. (Click on "Legislation" to the right of this page to view Regulations.)
RPAS classification parameters
Classification of RPA is achieved through four parameters;
- Mass of an RPA
- Impact velocity of an RPA (this value has to be converted to an impact energy of the RPA)
- Height above ground level
- Flight rules
Determination of RPA impact energy
Refer to APPENDIX B of Technical Guidance Material (TGM) for RPAS Part 101 for instructions and example of how to determine impact energy of an RPA. Please
click here to access the TGM.
Rules of Flight
Radio line-of-sight (RLOS)
RLOS means a direct electronic point-to-point contact between a transmitter and receiver. See appendix C for illustration diagrams. The following options are available for RLOS:
See APPENDIX C of Technical Guidance Material (TGM) for RPAS Part 101 pictorial view of RLOS flight rules. Please
click here to access the TGM.
NOTE: Currently, RPAS operations are limited to RLOS operations. Beyond radio line-of-sight (BRLOS) is reserved for future use
Accidents and Incidents
The purpose of investigation of an accident or incident is, subject to section 12 of the Act, to determine, in terms of the provisions of this part, the facts of an accident or incident in the interest of the promotion of aviation safety and the reduction of the risk of aviation accidents or incidents, and not to establish legal liability. Once accident investigations are concluded a report is compiled in the interest of promoting aviation safety.
What has to be reported to the SACAA?
All accidents and incidents involving an RPA shall be reported as prescribed in Part 12, where there is –.
- any injury or death to a person;
- damage to property; or
- destruction of the RPA beyond economical repair.
Note: All incidents involving an RPA where loss of control occurred shall be reported to the holder of the RPAS Operators Certificate (ROC).
The SACAA website has a list of investigators on standby who should be contacted should an accident or incident occur.