Statistics from the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority has shown a sharp increase in the use of remotely piloted aircraft systems, also known as drones for commercial and private purposes.

This has prompted the Authority to roll out new guidelines for  the use of drones, because of the threats they pose to humans, property and other aircrafts.

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The guidelines are also to ensure safety in the operations of the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS).

The new guidelines are as follows:

1.  No person shall operate an RPAS without a license issued by the Authority.

2. No RPAS pilot shall operate an RPAS except in accordance with the ratings, limitations or endorsements of their license.

3. The exercise of the privileges granted by a remote pilot license shall depend on the validity of the license, the medical certificate and if applicable, of the ratings contained in the license.

4. An RPAS piloting license shall be valid for a period of five (5) years, renewable every year upon proof of a valid medical certificate

According to the GCAA, more on the initial directives could be assessed on their website under the heading, “Safety Directives on Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS).”