Drone Laws in Argentina

Last update on 27.01.2022 | 14 Kommentare

In this post, we have summarized for you the current drone laws in Argentina.

Basically, flying drones for private purposes is allowed. However, things get more complicated if you want to use a drone for commercial purposes in the country. In both cases, we will explain what to do if you want to use a drone in Argentina.

New rules from July 2020

Argentina has revised the old rules from 2015 and written a new law that will come into force on July 1, 2020. Here is an overview of the changes for drone pilots.

Drones are divided into several categories, the most relevant are the classifications by purpose and weight.

Purpose:

• Recreation: Use for recreation, hobby etc, without any profit intentions
• Commercial: Use for profit

Weight:

• Class A: up to 500 grams
• Class B: more than 500 grams to 5 kilograms
• Class C: more than 5 kg to 25 kg
• Class D: more than 25 kg to 150 kg
• Class E: more than 150 kilograms

Drones must be registered, with the exception of Class A for recreational use. So if you travel to Argentina with a light drone, you can avoid this bureaucratic hurdle. There should be a registration portal for all other drones. When entering the country with your copter, you should prove that you have at least started the registration process.

All registered drones, with the exception of those weighing less than 500 grams for recreational use, should have a mark that is supposed to indicate the intended use due to its color.

All commercial pilots and recreational pilots with drones in classes C, D and E require liability insurance. There is no compulsory insurance for recreational drones in classes A and B.

Recreational pilots may only use their drones in uncontrolled airspace and must maintain direct visual contact. Flights are only permitted in daylight, i.e. from the beginning of dawn to the end of dusk.

Overview: Drone rules in Argentina

Additional regulations for drones in Argentina

In Argentina, your drone may ascend up to a height of 120 meters (400 feet). In controlled airspace, multicopters are only allowed to fly 43 meters (140 feet) high. You are only allowed to operate your drone within the direct visual line of sight.

In Argentina, the minimum age for operating drones is 16. Copter pilots who are under the age of 18 must be monitored by an adult guardian during the drone flights.

Registration takes place via this platform. Please allow a processing time of at least 5 working days.

Safety distances and flight bans

You must keep a distance of 5 kilometers from airports. In addition, your drone must not be closer than 1 km to helicopters and 500 meters to heliports.

Your copter may approach a bystander no more than 30 meters horizontally and 10 meters vertically. Flights over populated areas or crowds are prohibited. You must be at least one kilometer away from settlements during your drone operations.

Flying drones is prohibited in national parks.

The operation of drones in Argentina is only permitted in daylight.

Regulations for commercial pilots

There are three things you need to do to legally operate commercial drones in Argentina:

• Registration of the multicopter in the National Aircraft Register: The costs depend on the size of the drone and start at 800 pesos for unmanned aerial vehicles weighing up to 10 kilograms.
• Permission to operate the drone: 2,700 pesos.
• Permission to operate a drone in Argentina: 1,100 pesos.

During the flight, your drone must have a sticker with your name and address on it.

We have researched the listed drone regulations for Argentina to the best of our knowledge. We cannot guarantee the correctness of the information. If you want to be on the safe side, contact the competent aviation authority. Alternatively, you can also ask the embassy in your country for further information about the regulations. Please leave us a comment when you receive news and/or gain experience with your copter in Argentina!