Once again, us South Africans moan about the South African Civil Aviation Authority yet South Africa has the most advanced #UAS relulations in Africa. Not just in Africa, ubut perhaps in the world. Our partner organisation, Greenfly Aviation UASOC, has the ability to fly B-VLOS, when and where we choose, with drones weighing up to 150kg, up to 5km from the pilot, up to 1000ft AGL. We have permission to release objects from the aircraft as well as fly at night - and perform crop spraying or beneficial insect release operations. Our friends like Integrated Aerial Systems have permission to fly up to 25km with similar privileges. Did you know that South Africa now allows swarming as well as piloting from a control room! Soon we will have a Drone Sandbox in the Western Cape where we can test our aircraft and sysems to our hearts content. Thank you to the leadership of Western Cape Government and Tamiko Sher. We, as South African operators and manufacturers are in a really good position to take advantage of the emerging drone industry - and believe me, this is the very beginning. Soon (no date set to my knowledge), South Africa will have a UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management system) and this will unlock B-VLOS operations with unlimited range - and unlock urban delivery opportunties. The market is South Africa is slow, but the market in Africa is budding - and if we consider that most African countries copy & paste RSA regulations, we as South African drone operators are in an excellent position. Take Zambia for example. Their regulations are almost identical to South Africa's and with a bit of negotiation regognise South African operators and pilots in their country. South Africa's leadership in the drone industry will enable a major export market for services into Africa. FlyH2 is at the moment fund-raising to bring our long range aircraft, Dragonfly V, to market, for this exact opportunity.
⭐️Overview of Africa's Progress in BVLOS Drone Regulations⭐️ Over the past five years, Africa has made significant strides in establishing regulations for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations, unlocking new opportunities across various sectors. Current Landscape: Regulatory Adoption: Approximately 33% of African countries have implemented drone regulations, with an additional 25% providing guidance. However, the remaining nations lack formal frameworks, highlighting the need for continued development. South Africa's Framework: South Africa stands out with a comprehensive BVLOS approval process that details pilot qualifications, drone requirements, and risk mitigation strategies. This framework is a model for other nations aiming to establish robust BVLOS operations. Nigeria's Initiatives: Nigeria has been active in BVLOS operations, with pilots conducting BVLOS flights using UAVs like the Tekever AR3 for inspections, surveys, surveillance, and mapping services. Looking Ahead: The African Drone Forum continues to advocate for unified BVLOS regulations, emphasizing their potential to revolutionize sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and logistics. Collaborative efforts among African nations are essential to harness the benefits of BVLOS technology fully. Stay informed and engaged as Africa's drone landscape evolves, paving the way for a connected and innovative future. 🚀 #BVLOS #DroneRegulations #AfricaTech #Innovation #AfricanDroneForum