Where and How to Legally Use Drones for Photography

Let's say you're flying to the Maldives. You want to bring back from your vacation not just souvenirs, but also beautiful photos. And it's hard to beat the level of amazingness of photos taken with a quadcopter. However, there's a small problem: aerial photography is not always and not everywhere legal. The use of drones for photography depends on the country, region, and even specific location. We've gathered general principles and steps you need to take to comply with the law.

Study Local Rules and Laws

Each country has its own rules. In some countries, they are very strict, in others, more lenient. Study the rules of the country where you plan to fly your drone. National aviation authorities (e.g., FAA in the USA, EASA in Europe) usually set the main rules. Regional and local authorities may have additional restrictions, such as flight bans in certain parks, reserves, or cities. Always check the relevance of the information: rules can change, so make sure you have the latest data.

Register Your Drone

Many countries require UAV registration. This allows authorities to track owners and ensure compliance with rules. The registration process usually involves providing personal information and drone details. In some cases, marking the drone with a registration number is required.

In Russia, UAVs weighing 150 grams or more are subject to registration. Those that are lighter are often classified as toys, as they have low-capacity batteries and cannot stay airborne for more than 5-10 minutes. So, when buying, look for the “weight” line and choose lightweight models, otherwise, the quadcopter will immediately move into a different “weight category.” This means it will be subject to registration.

How to Register a Drone in Russia

Convenient: the UAV registration process takes place via the public services portal or the unmanned aircraft accounting portal. 10 days are allotted for registration. The application review period is similar.

As a result, the quadcopter will be assigned a unique registration number, which must be printed and affixed in several places on the body. This is done to ensure that all actions with the drone are transparent to the state. Accordingly, if you decide to sell it, lose it, or give it away, you will also have to notify Rosaviatsia (Federal Air Transport Agency). For sale – within ten days (but this will be the new owner's problem), for loss or theft – within two days. Documents required include a sales contract, gift agreement, or police report.

When a Permit is Not Required

Yes, in certain cases, the use of airspace is only permissible with a permit. But you can do without it (and a flight plan too) if several conditions are met:

• the drone's takeoff weight does not exceed 30 kg;
• the flight takes place at an altitude of less than 100 m above ground or water;
• the drone remains within direct line of sight throughout the flight;
• the flight takes place outside air traffic control zones of aerodromes, heliports, prohibited, special zones, and flight restriction zones;
• outside the territory of cities and settlements;
• outside the area of public or sports events;
• at a distance of more than 10 km from aerodrome control points and 2 km from landing sites;
• outside state-protected facilities.

But there's another complication: aerial photography is considered aviation work, and for this, an operator's certificate is required. This is issued by the territorial division of the Ministry of Transport, provided that the UAV is registered and has the necessary permits. Any UAV owner planning to use the equipment for photography is obliged to obtain such a certificate. The certificate is free, the application review period is 10 days, and its validity period is three years.

That is, if you decide to launch a drone and take aerial photos of you and your friends paddleboarding on a lake, you can do so without a permit. But with a certificate.

Examples of Rules in Other Countries

USA: FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) regulates drone use. Drone registration, obtaining a Remote Pilot certificate for commercial operations, adherence to visual line-of-sight flight rules, altitude restrictions, and flying over people are required.

Europe: EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) sets general rules for EU countries. Drone registration, obtaining a license depending on the drone category and type of operations, adherence to flight rules, altitude restrictions, and flying over people are required.

Turkey: The import and use of quadcopters weighing 500g or more without special permission are prohibited. The no-fly zone is 5-9 km from military facilities and airports. Hotel staff will likely be against launching. There are altitude restrictions – 120 meters. Rules often change, it's best to check directly before visiting the country.

Maldives: The Ministry of Civil Aviation website has a special memo for tourists. Currently, all drone flights are considered on a case-by-case basis, and the following procedures must be observed. First, permission from the Maldives National Defence Force is required. Then, apply for permission from the Civil Aviation Authority and third parties, such as resorts. All of this can be done in advance before your vacation.

UAE: As of January 7, 2025, a partial ban on drone use for private individuals has been lifted. Use is regulated by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). All drones, including amateur ones, must be registered through the UAE Drones app and insured. Rules and restrictions remain, including a ban on flights near airports, military bases, and other restricted areas.

Egypt: The import and use of drones in the country without special permission are prohibited. Obtaining it is practically impossible.

General Recommendations

• Check your equipment before each flight: ensure the battery is charged, propellers are in good condition, and software is updated.
• Be mindful of weather conditions: avoid flying in strong winds, rain, or fog.
• Respect privacy and the private lives of others.
• Familiarize yourself with the user manual.
• Be a responsible operator and respect rules and laws.

Drone usage rules in countries are constantly changing, so it is necessary to regularly check the relevance of information. Remember that ignorance of the law does not exempt from responsibility, and compliance with the rules will help you avoid fines, confiscation, and other problems.