CAACI offers drone safety rules and reminders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAACI offers drone safety rules and reminders

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (29 October 2020)

As the use of drones/small unmanned aircraft (SUA) become more popular locally, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands (CAACI) would like to remind the public of the following:

Each operator is legally responsible for the safe conduct of each flight. Prior to each flight be sure that your drone is undamaged and all components are working. Drones must be kept within your sight at all times and it is your responsibility for avoiding collisions with other people or objects. Do not fly your unmanned aircraft in any way that could endanger people or property.
As a protective measure, “no‐fly” zones , were introduced in February 2015 and it is illegal to fly an unmanned aircraft within 3 nautical miles of Owen Roberts International Airport (Grand Cayman), Charles Kirkconnell International Airport (Cayman Brac) and Edward Bodden Airfield (Little Cayman) without a specific written permission issued by the CAACI. In addition, a “no fly” zone has also been established around HM Prison Northward and it is illegal to fly an unmanned aircraft within 1 nautical mile of the Prison perimeter without the specific written permission of the Director of Prisons.
To operate your drone/SUA for commercial purposes, the operator must be in possession of a current permission issued by the CAACI. Permission will ensure the competence of the operator to provide a safe service and will require him/her to be medically fit and hold “adequate third‐party liability insurance”. Any organisation or individual undertaking commercial aerial work without such permission required may be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $3,400. The application for a Permission to undertake aerial work should be made on the application form which can be found at the following link: Small Unmanned Aircraft Operation Application

The CAACI is responsible to the Governor, for the oversight of the use of Small Unmanned Aircraft (SUA)/drones in the Cayman Islands as identified in the legislation of the Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) Order 2013, Article 73. The above national regulations have been developed for the use of SUA/drones, in keeping with the legislation, and identify the requirements applicable to the operation of these aircraft in the Cayman Islands.
We hope that all drone user , recreational and commercial, will take the time to understand the rules and failure to comply could lead to a criminal prosecution.
For more information, please visit: https://www.caacayman.com/air‐safety‐regulation/flight-operations/small‐unmanned‐aircraft/  or call 949‐7811.
Background info to augment:
The CAACI has full designation for safety oversight as a UK OT, and is one of only three OTs to enjoy such delegation. The CAACI is responsible for both technical and economic regulation of the Cayman Islands’ aviation industry. In addition, the Cayman Islands is classified as Category 1 by the USA Federal Aviation Administration under their “International Aviation Safety Assessments” programme that evaluates a country’s civil aviation authority’s ability to effectively regulate its aviation industry. The requirement for such rating lies with the CAACI being assessed as having technically qualified and highly experienced staff to effectively oversee the aviation industry in accordance with established standards and recommended practices of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).