Frequently asked questions
- What are the restrictions on operations of unmanned aircraft in Macao air traffic control zone?
- What are the restrictions on operations of unmanned aircraft having a total mass not exceeding 7 kg in Macao air traffic control zone?
1. What are the restrictions on operations of unmanned aircraft in Macao air traffic control zone?
In accordance with Part IX Paragraph 67 of the Air Navigation Regulation of Macau, the restrictions on operations of unmanned aircraft in Macao air traffic control zone are as follows:
A person shall not operate any unmanned aircraft, unless the operation is indoors, within the boundaries of a protected area, including:
a) The airspace within 1000 metres of any aerodrome or landing location;
b) Aircraft flight path area defined as the polygonal line with vertices at the points with the rectangular coordinates of Table A on Paragraph 67(b) of this Regulation;
c) The airspace within 50 meters of the Macao Government headquarters, the Legislative Assembly Building, the Court of Final Appeal Building, the official residences of the Chief Executive and principal officials of Macao, the Central People’s Government institutions in Macao as defined by Administrative Regulation no. 22/2000, the Macao Prison, the youth Correctional Institution, the Ka Ho power station and electrical power substations, The Macao Water Supply Company headquarters and the Ka-Ho Fuel farm;
d) The airspace within 50 meters of the 22 classified World Heritage Historic buildings, including: A-Ma Temple (Barra Temple), Headquarters Building of the Marine and Water Bureau (Former Moorish Barracks), Mandarin’s House, St. Lawrence’s Church and forecourt, St. Joseph’s Seminary Building, St. Joseph’s Seminary Church, forecourt and staircase, D. Pedro V Theatre, Sir Robert Ho Tung Library Building, St. Augustine’s Church, Headquarters Building of the Municipal Affairs Bureau (Building of the Former Leal Senado), Sam Kai Vui Kun (Kuan Tai Temple), Headquarters Building of the Holy House of Mercy of Macao, Cathedral Church, Lou Kau Mansion, St. Dominic’s Church, Ruins of St. Paul’s College (Former Mater Dei Church, forecourt and staircase), Na Tcha Temple (nearby the Ruins of St. Paul’s College), Old City Walls (Section in Calçada de S. Francisco Xavier), Mount Fortress, St. Anthony’s Church and forecourt, Headquarters Building of the Orient Foundation (Former Garden House of the Camões Grotto), Protestant Cemetery, Guia Fortress, Chapel of Our Lady of Snow and Lighthouse; and
e) Areas over which the Civil Aviation Authority has restricted or prohibited flying in accordance with paragraph 66 of this Regulation.
In accordance with Provision 16 of Decree Law No. 52/94/M of 7 November, anyone who performs a flying activity in the protection area as set forth in the aeronautical restrictions and does not comply with the above requirements will be liable to a fine of MOP2,000.00 to MOP20,000.00 imposed by AACM.
In addition, the Civil Aviation Authority pointed out that the unmanned aircraft flying activities are not only about aviation safety but also concerning privacy, use of radio, use of venue and so on, anyone who carries out unmanned aircraft flying activities in Macao must comply with relevant regulations and restrictions, and submit the application to the involved government entities in accordance with their regulations and guidelines.
2. What are the restrictions on operations of unmanned aircraft having a total mass not exceeding 7 kg in Macao air traffic control zone?
In accordance with Part XVI Paragraph 184 of the Air Navigation Regulation of Macau, the restrictions on operations of unmanned aircraft having a total mass not exceeding 7 kg in Macao air traffic control zone are as follows:
A person may operate an unmanned aircraft having a total mass not exceeding 7 kg under the following conditions:
a) the unmanned aircraft does not fly within the boundaries of any protected area specified on paragraph 67. of the Air Navigation Regulation of Macau;
b) the unmanned aircraft flies within the height limits specified on paragraph 184. subparagraph. (2) of the Air Navigation Regulation of Macau;
c) the operation takes place during day time;
d) the unmanned aircraft is not carrying any dangerous substances, including weapons and ammunitions, corrosive, flammable or explosive substances, fireworks, firecrackers, any chemical or biological agent or toxin and any radioactive material or substance;
e) the unmanned aircraft is not discharging anything whether gaseous, liquid or solid;
f) the unmanned aircraft is not towing any object;
g) the unmanned aircraft is not flying within 100 metres of a gathering of 100 persons or more;
h) the UA pilot is on site within 100 metres and with direct control of the unmanned aircraft;
i) the unmanned aircraft is operated under a Visual Line of Sight Operation (VLOS); and
j) the UA pilot is reasonably satisfied that the flight can safely be made.
In accordance with Provision 16 of Decree Law No. 52/94/M of 7 November, anyone who performs a flying activity in the protection area as set forth in the aeronautical restrictions and does not comply with the above requirements will be liable to a fine of MOP2,000.00 to MOP20,000.00 imposed by AACM.
In addition, the Civil Aviation Authority pointed out that the unmanned aircraft flying activities are not only about aviation safety but also concerning privacy, use of radio, use of venue and so on, anyone who carries out unmanned aircraft flying activities in Macao must comply with relevant regulations and restrictions, and submit the application to the involved government entities in accordance with their regulations and guidelines.