All About Drones SA

10/07/2026

Drone Compliance Reminder: Dropping Objects or Substances from a Drone
Did you know that releasing or dropping items or substances from a drone is not permitted without the necessary approval?
As a drone operator, you may not release, dispense, drop, deliver, or deploy any object or substance from a drone unless approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA).
This includes activities such as, but not limited to:
• Dropping promotional items
• Delivering packages or goods
• Releasing liquids, powders, or other substances
• Deploying equipment or objects from the aircraft
These restrictions exist to protect people, property, and other airspace users from the risks associated with uncontrolled or unintended releases.
The delivery, deployment, release, or dropping of any object or substance from a drone is prohibited unless specific approval has been granted by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). Any such operation must be conducted strictly in accordance with the conditions and limitations of that approval.
Before attempting any specialised drone operation, ensure that you understand the regulatory requirements. obtain the necessary approvals and capabilities of the drone.
Compliance isn't just about following the rules—it's about operating safely, responsibly, and professionally.
Fly safe. Fly legal. Fly responsibly.

04/07/2026

Private Drone Operators: Know Your Limits
Flying a drone for recreational or private use comes with responsibilities. Understanding and following the regulations helps keep the skies safe for everyone.
As a private drone operator, you must:
• Always remain within 500 metres of your position
• Maintain unaided Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) with your drone throughout the flight
• Not exceed 150 feet (45 metres) above ground level
• Remain below the height of the highest obstacle within 300 metres of the drone
These limitations are designed to reduce the risk of collisions, maintain situational awareness, and ensure that drones remain safely separated from other airspace users.
Before every flight, take a moment to assess your surroundings, identify obstacles, and ensure your operation can be conducted safely and legally.
Safe flying isn't just about controlling your drone—it's about understanding the rules and operating responsibly.
Fly smart. Fly safe. Stay compliant.

30/06/2026

Think Before You Take Off

One of the most common drone regulation violations is flying too close to people, roads, and private property.

Before every flight, remember that drones may not be operated within 50 metres of:

Property, structures, or buildings without the owner's permission
Public roads
Any person or group of people not directly involved in the operation

These separation distances are designed to protect the public, safeguard privacy, and ensure safe drone operations for everyone.

As a drone pilot, you are responsible for assessing your operating area and ensuring your flight can be conducted safely and legally. A few extra minutes spent planning can prevent accidents, complaints, and potential enforcement action.

It is important to note that operations within these distances may be conducted if approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and where all required permissions and risk mitigation measures are in place.

Professional pilots don't just focus on capturing great data or imagery—they prioritize compliance and safety every time they fly.

Fly responsibly. Fly professionally. Fly legally.

11/06/2026

Some Airspace Is Strictly Off Limits, unless duly authorised to operate within them.
Never operate your drone above or near prohibited or restricted airspace, including prisons, police stations, courts, crime scenes, nuclear power plants, national key points, strategic installations, or within controlled airspace unless properly authorised.
Permission is required from SACAA and controlling authority to operate in these areas.
These areas are protected for national security, public safety, emergency operations, and manned aviation activity. Unauthorized drone operations in these zones can place lives at risk, interfere with critical operations, and may lead to serious legal consequences.
Responsible pilots always plan their flights carefully, understand the surrounding airspace, and respect all restricted areas before take-off.
Know where you fly. Respect the airspace. Fly responsibly.

10/04/2026

A proud moment for the All About Drones team!

After a successful demonstration of the Joyance JT30 to SACAA, we continue pushing the boundaries of advanced drone operations in South Africa. From precision control to operational excellence, this milestone reflects our commitment to safety, compliance, and innovation in the UAS industry.

Well done to the entire team for the hard work and professionalism that made this possible. The future of drone operations is here—and we’re excited to be part of shaping it.

03/04/2026

Know Your Drone. Know the Limits.

Not all drones are treated the same. If your drone weighs more than 7 kg or has an impact energy exceeding 15 kJ, you may not operate it unless you have the appropriate approval from the South African Civil Aviation Authority.

Heavier and higher-energy drones pose significantly greater risks in the event of a failure or collision. That’s why stricter regulations and approvals are in place—to ensure operations are conducted safely and responsibly.

Before you fly, make sure your drone falls within the legal limits or that you have the required authorization in place.

Stay compliant. Stay safe. Fly smart.

22/03/2026

Airspace safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Never operate your drone within 10 km of an aerodrome—including airports, airfields, and helipads. These are high-risk zones, and even a small drone can create a serious collision hazard that endangers lives and disrupts critical aviation operations.

Always maintain strong situational awareness before and during your flight. Plan your operation, check nearby aviation activity, and always keep clear from any manned aircraft. If you see or hear a manned aircraft, give way immediately and increase separation.

Manned aircraft always has right of way.

Responsible pilots understand that the sky is shared. Respecting the sharded airspace protects passengers, crews, and people on the ground. This keeps drone operations safe and lawful for everyone.

13/03/2026

Drones are powerful tools—but they come with important responsibilities. If you plan to use a drone for any commercial, corporate, or organisational purpose, you must be a licensed Remote Pilot (RPC) and operate in full compliance with the regulations set by the South African Civil Aviation Authority.

This applies even if no money is exchanged. If the flight provides any form of benefit—whether for a business, company, client, marketing, promotion, inspection, research, or even for a non-profit organisation—it is considered a regulated operation and must comply with the required licensing and approvals.

Operating without the proper certification and approvals is illegal and can lead to serious penalties.

At All About Drones, we promote safe, responsible, and compliant drone operations for everyone in the sky.

Know the rules. Respect the airspace. Fly right.

04/10/2025

🚁✨ We’re growing our team! Looking for licensed drone pilots (BVLOS required) with their own transport. If you’re ready to take your career to new heights, send your details to [email protected].

20/02/2025

🚀 Exciting news! All About Drones will be exhibiting at this weekend’s SACAA Safety Event! ✈️✨ Join us at our stand as we showcase our passion for aviation and safety. We’d love to see you there!

General Aviation Safety Week is just one day away.

Join the SACAA’s movement of keeping you safe in the sky. Follow us for live updates!