CAAP issues 1st drone license

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) authorized on Thursday an aerial surveillance firm to commercially use a drone, issuing to the company the country’s very first license to operate an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

The certificate of authorization to operate a drone for commercial use was awarded by the CAAP to SRDP Consulting Inc., an engineering company specializing in aerial surveillance for agriculture or topography. It will have to be renewed annually like any license.

With the issuance of the first certificate, CAAP Director General William Hotchkiss pointed out that rules and regulations on owning and operating a drone, being so new, remains a “work in progress” and may still be amended.

Under CAAP’s memorandum circular on UAVs, implemented in November last year, operators who violate the policy face fines of up to P500,000 for each unauthorized flight including operating drones over prohibited areas such as highly populated areas, airports, military training camps and over Malacañang Palace.–Jeannette I. Andrade