š In this blog post weāll share all law links & known rules about recreational & commercial drone use in The Bahamas (Nassau). Give a š at the end of this post if you enjoyed it & feel free to ask any questions or share your experience in our Bahamas Drone Discussion Group. Keep in mind that the content below is updated to the best of our ability & does not replace official sources & your own research.
Recreational vs commercial drone use in The Bahamas
The Bahamas differentiates commercial & recreational drone use. Both uses are subject to restrictions & a strict code of conduct. Additionally, depending on the weight of your drone, different rules may apply.
ā In The Bahamas, drone regulation falls under the Civil AviationĀ Authority (BCAA) & they can be contacted anytime via:
Email: dronesupport@bcaa.gov.bs
Phone: (+1) 242 397 4700
ā When flying any drone in the Bahamas, you will always need on you:
Your ID
The proof of registration of the aircraft.
The proof of liability insurance for your drone.
When required, a valid flight authorisation, airworthiness certificate & a valid pilot licence or permit.
Can I bring my drone to The Bahamas?
šØ You must register your drone (we will explain you how below) prior arriving in the Bahamas or Nassau International Airport. If you do not do this, your drone will be ceased by the country's customs. ā Note, if your drone gets ceased, you should be able to get it back upon your return to Nassau Airport providing you pay the security (storage) fee.
šØ There is a 50% deposit for any registered drone to be paid in cash š¤. This 50% amount is based on the value of your drone. It is fully refundable upon your return to the airport's customs, allow a bit more time to get it all sorted.
šØ Be aware of the airline you purchase to travel as some main ones will only accept your drone on-board if its batteries are detached & placed in a firecase during travel time. Most airlines will have a battery voltage limit based on the recommendation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). You can find more info about a specific airline here.
š” Smart! Get your drone batteries' firecase today and make sure you're complying with aviation safety rules.
Where can I fly my drone in The Bahamas?
ā We did not find an official fly zone map for drones in The Bahamas "If you have more information about this, please share it in our Bahamas Drone Discussion Group". Thankfully in the meantime, app.airmap.io has listed all flight zones in a convenient way.
The Bahamas' Drone Fly Map
šØ Note that the entire island of Nassau is under restricted airspace & you might need an authorisation to fly there. The whole East side of Nassau Island is under the Airport control zone.
š² National / Marine parks & reserves might be on a case by case permission & you might need to check directly with the local park or reserve authorities. š³
š” Smart! Pack some spare drone batteries, you never know how close is the next power plug overseas. Also make sure you have a travel adaptor for The Bahamas.
Recreational drone use in The Bahamas
šØ Before anything you will need to register your drone (no matter what size or use intentions) prior being able to take of in The Bahamas' skies. From then, if your drone weights less than 15 kg you will need to:
fly at a maximum of 120 m altitude, during daytime & always within sight.
fly only during good weather (it is forbidden to fly on foggy days &/or if clouds are below 150 m altitude).
fly away from individuals (15 m horizontally & 30 m vertically) & respect privacy rights.
obtain consent before flying above any property or any individual.
fly away from any crowds even if you obtained their approval.
avoid dropping anything from your UAV while in flight.
fly at least 8 km away from airports or heliports. You must also give priority to all other categories of aircraft & if you see n aircraft during your flight, land immediately.
šØ If your drone weights between 15 kg & 25 kg, you will need a specific approval from the Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority to be asked during your registration process. You will also need to subscribe to an insurance covering all risks.
How to register my drone in The Bahamas?
ā The process is fairly easy according to official source as you simply need to register your drone via this link. It will only take you a few minutes to register. You will need your drone's specs to complete the registration process.
Commercial Drone use in The Bahamas
ā Additionally to the recreational use & conditions, if you wish to fly for commercial purposes in The Bahamas you will need:
register your drone and indicate its for commercial purposes
a license to operate your drone (your overseas one should be accepted š)
a third party insurance covering all risks
a certification of airworthiness of your unmanned aerial vehicle
š” Water glare is a killer for drone photos, make sure you have a lens filter with you in The Bahamas before flying over the seas.
What do I risk for flying a drone illegally in The Bahamas?
The amount & scope of the fine will depend on the nature & severity of your infraction. The judges will also evaluate if you intentionally committed the infraction and/or if you had any commercial purposes to do such.
Once you got everything in order, you can start flying above The Bahamas' awesome landscapes and create videos like this one:
ā Please leave a comment when you receive news and/or gain experience with your drone in The Bahamas! Have fun and safe flight! #bahamas #regulation #law #laws #rules
š” You're a local, have a question or want to share a travel experience? Head to our Bahamas Drone Discussion Group
Disclaimer: Although greatĀ care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information researched, we take no responsibility for any loss, harm or damage caused as a direct or indirect consequence of relying on this information. It is your responsibility to seek advice from qualified local & relevant authoritiesĀ for needed information about local drone rules and regulations.
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