Aruba Drone Laws
As drone use has become increasingly popular, drones have become increasingly common tools used to capture footage of vacation getaways and create entertaining diversions while on vacation or while on a local getaway.
Although they are common diversions, most places have strict rules in place regarding the precise way that you are able to use drones.
Aruba is no exception, and before you take your drone out for a day in Aruba, make sure you familiarize yourself with the different rules and regulations currently in place in Aruba.
Insurance and Registration: An Aruba Requirement
Knowing whether or not to bring your drone with you on vacation begins with knowing exactly what is required of you as a drone user.
Whether you are intending to use drones as a recreational pursuit, or you are using them in a commercial capacity, you must register your drone with local government.
This will make sure that you are following all safety regulations put in place, and allows the government of Aruba to keep close tabs on drone use.
Drone insurance is not necessary or required for drone use in Aruba, but it is usually encouraged.
As a whole, drones are not considered dangerous or hazardous, but drone insurance can help provide peace of mind for anyone wanting to use drones without the risk of being held personally liable for any accidents or incidents that occur during use.
Drone insurance is not provided by local government entities, and must be secured independently.
Usage Restrictions in Aruba
Aruba’s usage restrictions are fairly standard for drone use, as they prioritize the privacy and safety of people who are directly involved with or nearby all drones being used.
The most significant usage restriction is the usage restriction regarding visibility.
Strict visibility must be maintained at all times while using a drone, save one situation: if the first-person viewfinder is being used by the original drone user, a second person can be the one keeping a close eye on the drone, while the first user focuses on the first-person view on the drone itself.
This situation must also be identified in the application submitted for drone registration.
In the same vein, you are not allowed to use drones in any situation that involves low visibility.
This means that drone use is not permitted at night, or in weather that negatively impacts the ability to see—most commonly, weather involving a great deal of cloud cover or fog.
Light rain may not prohibit drone use, but heavy rain and thunderstorms certainly will.
If you are not certain about the state of the weather and your drone, it is likely better to avoid taking the drone out, and try again after the storm has passed.
Restrictions on Drone Location
In Aruba, drones are not permitted in close quarters with airports, which is fairly standard everywhere.
Aruba also restricts the use of drones in areas related to the military, ships, or the government, and also limits or altogether restricts the use of drones on the beach.
Drones are also not allowed to be used in neighborhoods, to protect people’s privacy, and are limited to use in areas that are not frequented by large groups of people.
These location restrictions are among the many reasons it is important to license and register your drone device with the proper authorities: when you register your drone, you are required to provide information about your intended use for your drone, including the location you intend to fly.
If the location in question is not permitted, you will be denied your permit, or urged to resubmit.
Drone usage restrictions may be more substantial in Aruba than in other areas.
The height restriction in Aruba, for instance, is 200 feet, while some other areas allow drones to be used up to 400 feet.
Special permission can be granted during the registration process, provided that you give a reason for your desire to increase the height limit and that reason is seen as legitimate by the governing board.
Personal Information Required for Drone Use
As discussed previously, Aruba requires that all drone users register their “vehicles.”
Registration makes it possible to contact drone users in emergencies, or in case of changes to usage allocations.
Drone users are required to provide the cell phone numbers they can be reached at during a drone excursion, so the proper authorities can get a hold of drone users if the need arises.
This is not done frivolously, and is typically reserved for instances in which a drone enters restricted airspace unintentionally, or changes need to be made to the use approval.
Drone use is taken very seriously, and although it may seem as though the government requires far too much information to permit drone use, drones can be used inappropriately and can prove harmful if they are not used correctly.
Aruba’s government and powers that be recognize the possible issues with drone use and put firm restrictions in place to limit the possibility of dangerous accidents involving drones.
Further Stipulations
Because safety is paramount, Aruba also restricts the use of drones over areas involved in accidents, natural disasters, and other dangerous events.
Wildfires, car accidents, and more are all prohibited from being filmed or photographed using a drone.
This is due, in part, to the potential harm that can befall the drone user, and in part due to the possible harm that can occur from drones and other aircraft interacting or interfering with one another.
The most substantial requirement that Aruba places on drone users is the registration requirement.
Users must provide their name, a local telephone number, the purpose and duration of their intended use, and the type of drone that is going to be used.
Once these requirements have been fulfilled and the registration has been approved and established, drone pilots are free to use their drones, whether that use is designed for personal or professional operation.
Drone laws are continually changing, however, so it is wise to continually make sure there are no updates being made to drone laws and restrictions in Aruba.
