Civil Aviation (Remote Piloted Aircraft Systems) Regulations, 2017

AI-assisted research summary: These Regulations may be cited as the Civil Aviation (Remote Piloted Aircraft Systems) Regulations, 2017.

AI-assisted research summary: Interpretation provision text: "Section being in the aircraft; or"

AI-assisted research summary: These Regulations apply to any person who imports, tests, operates, procures, assembles, manufactures or maintains a remotely piloted aircraft system registered in Kenya wherever they may be and to any other such aircraft operating in Kenya.

AI-assisted research summary: Owners or operators of remote piloted aircraft systems must ensure components are working and follow the manufacturers' user manual; the Authority may require certain systems with a type certificate to obtain a certificate of airworthiness.

AI-assisted research summary: RPAS (remote piloted aircraft systems) are to be classified and categorized by weight and use into categories A, B, C and Classes 1–3.

AI-assisted research summary: Section 5 lists who may be eligible to own an RPAS, requires notification of ownership changes in writing within seven days, and prohibits persons from owning, registering or operating RPAS with military specifications.

AI-assisted research summary: Imports of RPAS (or components) are prohibited without an Authority permit; the Authority must obtain security clearances before issuing permits; exporters must notify and obtain deregistration; contraventions are offences with fines or imprisonment; the Authority may confiscate imported RPAS of contravening persons.

AI-assisted research summary: Persons must apply to the Authority for authorization before manufacturing, assembling or testing an RPAS or its component; this requires necessary security clearance. Contravention is an offence punishable by a fine not exceeding two million shillings or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both.

AI-assisted research summary: Operators or owners must register their remote piloted aircraft systems with the Authority; the Authority must obtain security clearance and Ministry approval before registration and must establish and implement a system for registration, identification and display. Contravention of registration and modification rules is an offence punishable by a fine up to two million shillings or imprisonment up to six months, or both.

AI-assisted research summary: A remote piloted aircraft system owner may apply for de-registration to register the aircraft in another State.

AI-assisted research summary: Remote piloted aircraft system owners or operators must ensure safe operations, comply with Authority requirements, control operations, register their aircraft and provide the documents listed in Section 11(2); documents in another language must include an English translation; failure to comply with paragraph (1)(b) or (2) is an offence punishable by a fine up to one million shillings or imprisonment up to six months, or both.

AI-assisted research summary: A person must not operate a remote piloted aircraft system in Kenya without authorization from the Authority; the Authority may grant temporary permits for foreign-registered systems for thirty (30) days, renewable once, and different authorizations apply for recreational, private and commercial uses.

AI-assisted research summary: Individuals must not operate remote piloted aircraft systems negligently or recklessly, or in ways that endanger others or enter prohibited/restricted/strategic areas except as allowed by published conditions or Authority permission; contravention is an offence punishable by a fine up to one million shillings or imprisonment up to six months, or both.

AI-assisted research summary: A person must not take onto, cause to be taken onto, deliver or cause to be delivered for loading on a remote piloted aircraft system any goods that they know or have reasonable cause to know are dangerous goods.

AI-assisted research summary: The Authority may approve higher heights and lateral distances for private and commercial remote piloted aircraft operations despite the limitation in paragraph (1)(b).

AI-assisted research summary: A person must not operate a remote piloted aircraft system within 50 metres laterally of any uninvolved person, building, vehicle, vessel or animal unless authorized by the Authority.

AI-assisted research summary: Remote piloted aircraft in controlled airspace must follow the Civil Aviation (Rules of the Air) Regulations; remote pilots must keep visual awareness and avoid other aircraft and vehicles, yielding right-of-way; no person may operate a remote piloted aircraft so close as to create a collision hazard.

AI-assisted research summary: Remote piloted aircraft system pilots or instructors for commercial operations must be certified by the Authority in accordance with the First Schedule to these Regulations.

AI-assisted research summary: Remote piloted aircraft system operators must report all incidents and accidents involving the system to the Authority under the Civil Aviation (Safety Management) Regulations.

AI-assisted research summary: Remote piloted aircraft system operations that commence inside Kenya and terminate outside, or commence outside and terminate inside or over-fly Kenyan airspace, without the required authorization are described.

AI-assisted research summary: The Authority may cancel, suspend, or vary any authorization granted under these Regulations for safety or national security, notwithstanding regulation 12.

AI-assisted research summary: Remote piloted aircraft system (RPAS) flights in controlled airspace must file flight plans; RPAS flights in uncontrolled airspace operating below or within 5 kilometres of the launch area must notify the nearest ATC and follow ATC directions or orders.

AI-assisted research summary: All remote piloted aircraft systems operators must develop and implement emergency and contingency procedures acceptable to the Authority.

AI-assisted research summary: Owners or operators of remote piloted aircraft systems must keep command or control at all times during flight and must report immediately to the Authority if they lose command or control.

AI-assisted research summary: Pilots must notify Air Traffic Control of operations likely to affect manned air traffic; the ANSP must set Authority‑approved integration procedures including communication and surveillance; those procedures must require information be passed to ATC before and during operations.

AI-assisted research summary: Operation in the vicinity of aerodromes: within ten (10) kilometres of an aerodrome from the aerodrome reference point for code C, D, E and F aerodromes.

AI-assisted research summary: Section 27 imposes operating restrictions on approval for operations at an aerodrome in the interest of safety.

AI-assisted research summary: Recreational and sports RPAS must operate within Authority-approved registered clubs; the Authority must set club approval systems, clubs must provide operation details for approval, and the Authority must publish designated RPAS airspace via the IAIP. Club recognition lasts twelve months.

AI-assisted research summary: Clubs referred to in regulation 28 must set minimum training requirements for recreational and sports RPAS operations.

AI-assisted research summary: Anyone who unlawfully interferes with a duly authorized remote piloted aircraft system operation commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding two million shillings, or imprisonment for up to six months, or both.

AI-assisted research summary: Operators or persons who breach the Regulations or fail to comply with directions commit an offence and are liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one million shillings or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both.

AI-assisted research summary: A person must not operate a remote piloted aircraft system for private purposes unless they have prior authorization from the Authority and comply with its conditions.

AI-assisted research summary: A remote piloted aircraft system pilot for private operation must be trained according to the First Schedule to these Regulations.

AI-assisted research summary: Commercial operators may not conduct remote piloted aircraft system operations unless they hold a valid Remote Piloted Aircraft Operator's Certificate (ROC); the ROC authorizes operations subject to its operations specifications; operators must demonstrate adequate organisational, training, and maintenance arrangements for issuance and must implement an SMS.

AI-assisted research summary: Operators applying for a Remote Piloted Aircraft Operator's Certificate (ROC) must submit an application in the form and manner the Authority prescribes and include any other information the Authority may require; applicants for an initial issue or re-issue must apply at least sixty days before the intended operation.

AI-assisted research summary: Section 34 lists the conditions that must be met for issuance of a Remote Piloted Aircraft Operator's Certificate (ROC), including ownership requirements, applicable regulations and standards for the holder, adequate qualification and staffing for safe commercial operations, and an approved aircraft operator security programme.

AI-assisted research summary: Section 35 lists conditions for the validity and renewal of a Remote Piloted Aircraft Operator's Certificate (ROC): the Authority may specify a shorter period or amend, suspend, revoke or terminate the certificate; the holder must surrender the certificate or notify the Authority of suspension of operations; suspended or revoked ROCs shall be returned to the Authority; an applicant for an expired ROC must make an initial application.

AI-assisted research summary: The Authority may amend a Remote Piloted Aircraft Operator's Certificate when it determines the amendment is necessary for safety, when the certificate holder applies and the Authority determines necessity, or when the amendment is in the interest of national security; the certificate holder must operate according to any amendment unless it is subsequently withdrawn.

AI-assisted research summary: The Authority must conduct surveillance, inspections and tests of the Remote Piloted Aircraft Operator Certificate holder to ensure they remain eligible to hold the certificate and associated approvals.

AI-assisted research summary: Operators must appoint an accountable manager acceptable to the Authority; the accountable manager must ensure sufficient qualified personnel; operators must establish initial and recurrent training to maintain personnel competence.

AI-assisted research summary: A remote piloted aircraft system operator must develop and submit an operation manual to the Authority for approval.

AI-assisted research summary: Holders of a Remote Piloted Aircraft Operator Certificate must not undertake commercial remote piloted aircraft system operations except with authorization issued by the Authority.

AI-assisted research summary: A person must not operate a remote piloted aircraft system for commercial or private purposes unless they hold a valid Remote Piloted Aircraft System pilot certificate issued by the Authority in accordance with these Regulations.

AI-assisted research summary: Pilots of remote piloted aircraft systems must hold a remote pilot certificate, have the specific type rating or be supervised by a rated pilot to qualify, possess the required knowledge for the type, and hold a current Class 2 medical certificate.

AI-assisted research summary: A remote piloted aircraft system pilot certificate is valid only while the holder's medical certificate is valid.

AI-assisted research summary: Prohibits consuming alcohol less than 8 hours prior to reporting for duty.

AI-assisted research summary: Remote piloted aircraft system pilots conducting commercial operations must be trained as set out in the First Schedule to these Regulations.

AI-assisted research summary: Section 46: Instrument and equipment requirements for the class and category of a remote piloted aircraft system

AI-assisted research summary: Operators must have security procedures approved by the Authority; remote piloted aircraft systems are subject to inspections; commercial camera use requires details in security applications; personnel must undergo background checks and training.

AI-assisted research summary: Remote piloted aircraft system operators must be responsible for the security of their system operations, including associated facilities, personnel and equipment.

AI-assisted research summary: Requires response procedures for operations personnel for threats and incidents involving remote piloted aircraft system operations.

AI-assisted research summary: Section 50 requires keeping records for specified topics; records must be stored to protect them from damage, alteration and theft; records must be current and detailed enough to show experience and qualification for commercial operations.

AI-assisted research summary: Persons must not operate remote piloted aircraft systems unless a minimum third‑party insurance policy is in force; the Authority notifies the minimum sum; operators must make available authentic third‑party liability insurance certificates; the Authority may dispense with the requirement depending on class and category.

AI-assisted research summary: Creates a standing Remote Piloted Aircraft System Regulations Multi-Agency Committee appointed by the Cabinet Secretary responsible for civil aviation (in consultation with relevant security MDAs), requires the Committee to consist of nine members, to review policy/regulations regularly, and establishes a secretariat responsible for day-to-day coordination with the Authority.

AI-assisted research summary: Anyone operating a remotely piloted aircraft system fitted with cameras must operate it responsibly to respect the privacy of other persons and their property.

AI-assisted research summary: A person must not cause anything to be dropped or discharged from a remote piloted aircraft in a way that creates a hazard to another aircraft, a person, or property.

AI-assisted research summary: People who know of a regulatory violation must report it to the Authority; the Authority must decide what further investigation or enforcement is required.

AI-assisted research summary: Owners of remotely piloted aircraft systems already imported into Kenya must apply to the Authority to register them within six months of the commencement date of these Regulations.