The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has received the go-ahead to implement a new charging structure to own and operate Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) from Parliament. The approval of the Civil Aviation (Regulatory Fees and Charges for UAS) Regulations 2020 paves the way for full implementation of UAS regulatory framework in Kenya, says a KCAA press release.
These charges are a reduction from the revoked rates under the Kenya Civil Aviation (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems) Regulations, 2017. Under the new cost structure, Kenyans and entities wishing to own and operate UAS will now pay a KD3,000 (USD27.00) registration fee.
Individuals or entities that have already imported drones are encouraged to apply to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority for registration and approval to lawfully engage in safe and secure drone operations of all types which could include precision agriculture, wildlife management, inspection of power grid, building, dams, solar inspection, research, crop spraying and data collection, forest management, road traffic monitoring and surveillance and aerial mapping.
The Civil Aviation (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) Regulations, 2020 categorises drones based on the risks posed by their operations, from low risks to high risks under categories, A, B and C. The purpose of the UAS, and risk to public safety and security form the basis for consideration by the Authority in registering, issuing of approvals and authorizations for operations.
The proposed charges had been gazetted by the cabinet secretary, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Works, James W. Macharia, EGH under legal notice No. 4 of 2021 on 22 January 2021.
Kenya Civil Aviation Authority Director General, Capt. Gilbert Kibe, said the gazettement of the Regulations heralded a new era in the country’s aviation ecosystem by opening up the sector to innovations. “Innovation in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) has been accelerating at such an exponential rate. The capabilities of this technology are limitless – from the positives such as filming movies, documentaries, sports, weddings and delivering medicines.”
(1,000 Kenyan shillings = USD 9.10 (22 March 2021)
- UAS IMPORT & REGISTRATION
Issuance of Import Permit 3,000
Registration 3,000
Certificate of Deregistration or Cancellation 2,000
Reservation of special Registration Marks Series 10,000
Copy of the UAS Register 3,000
Change of ownership 2,500
Amendment of a certificate of registration 2,000
Issuance of temporary permit 20,000
- Airworthiness
Issue of Certificate of Airworthiness 5,000
- Remote Air Operator Certificate (ROC)
Initial issue 80,000
Renewal of ROC 50,000
Amendments of ROC 5,000
Addition of UAS to the ROC. 2,000
Inclusion of new UAS Type 10,000
Approval of manuals. 5,000
- Training organisation
Training organization approval 80,000
Renewal of ATOs certificate 50,000
Modification/Amendment of Approval 5,000
- CERTIFICATION OF UAS RESALERS AND DISTRIBUTORS
Initial issue 80,000
Renewal 50,000
Modification/Amendment of Approval 5,000
- AUTHORIZATIONS
Operation authorizations Category A
Category B & C 2,000/2,500
Overflight permit 10,000
- LICENSING
Issue of LICENSING
Issue of SRPL 2,000
Issue of RPL 4,000
Beyond Visual Line of Sight (B-VLOS) Rating 2,000
Extended Visual Line of Sight (E-VLOS) Rating 2,000
RPA Observer Certificate 2,000
RPA Certificate (for class A operations) 2,000
Renewal of RPL 2,000
Instructor rating for RPL 3,000
Radio telephone exam 2,000
Reissuing of duplicate RPL 10,000
Validation of RPL 5,000
Examinations SRPL 4,000
Examinations RPL 4,000
Examinations Repeat (partial pass) 2,000
Validation of ICAO Contracting States Licenses
SRPL 2,000
Validation of ICAO Contracting States Licenses
RPL 4,000
- OTHER SERVICES
Issue/Reissue/Amendment of a letter of approval/no objection etc 4,000
Details of the new charging structure can be obtained from: www.kcaa.or.ke
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