Hiring a Drone in Tanzania.
Filming Permits in Uganda.
Importing Drones into Rwanda. Importing drones into Rwanda requires special Drone permit clearance & permissions .The process of importing Drones into Rwanda can be daunting but Eco film fixer will help you temporarily import your drone(s) for filming in Rwanda.
Drones in Rwanda are STRICTLY accepted for use in any one of the following activities;
- Aerial photography/Filming.
- Agriculture for crop monitoring/inspection.
- Search and rescue or delivery of emergency supplies.
- Research and development.
- Educational/academic uses.
- Recreational/Leisure.
PERMITS & PERMISSIONS NEEDED WHEN IMPORTING DRONES INTO RWANDA.
All persons intending to import Drones into Rwanda for either photography or filming In Rwanda, MUST apply for an Activity permit operators certificate from Rwanda Civil Aviation –RCAA
An Activity Permit is granted by RCAA to an applicant for single activity or block of repeated activities to be carried out of specific area of operational profiles and conditions. The permit is valid for the period of Filming activity.
An Operator Certificate is granted by RCCA to an applicant if the applicant is able to ensure safe operation of RPA, taking into account the applicant’s organizational set-up, competency of the personal especially those flying the RPA, producers to manage safety including the conduct of safety risk assessments, and the airworthiness of each of the aircraft. The certificate is valid for up to one (01) year.
Other permits may be required from various agencies for certain aspects of Remotely Piloted Aircraft System operation that comes under their purview, such as Rwanda National Police (RNP) or Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) for aerial photography & filming ,and/or over flight of security-sensitive locations, or Rwanda Utilizes Regulatory Agency(RURA) for the use of radio frequencies if need be.
WHERE & HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE DRONE PERMITS &PERMISSIONS?
Rwanda Civil Aviation –RCCA is the one mandated to issue out all filming & importing Permits, for all Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operations-commonly known as Drones .RCCA upon receipt of your application(s) which you may choose to do individually or contact Eco film fixers to assist) will respond to the applicant(s) on the outcome of their application(s). Application for Rwanda Drone Operation certificate or permit can be done by filling in Form RCAA-FORM-RPASOO2.
RULES AND REGULATIONS OF FLYING A DRONE IN RWANDA.
The following Rwanda Drone Filming Rules and Regulation will guide your Rwanda Filming experience:
All drones intended for filming In Rwanda must be registered prior to flight using from RCAA_FORM_UAS001.Citizens of Rwanda can only make this registration with a minimum age of 21years. The registration fee is 110,000RWF (about USD130). According to reports, the processing of the registration takes place about three (03) months.
All Film Crew planning to Film in Rwanda Using Drones (s) need contact on whose behalf the drone will be registers for filming in Rwanda .All other terms are very transparently explained on the website of Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (RCCA).
Maximum Altitude: The maximum altitude allowed is 100meters (328feet) above ground.
Maximum horizontal distance: The constraints include the maximum distance between pilot and drone of 300 meters, as long as direct visual contact is ensured.
Compulsory insurance for your Drone: A Rwanda Drone filming permit that RCAA for drone flights can only be obtained in Rwanda if your drone is insured.
Maximum take –off weight (MTOW): Drones I Rwanda can weigh up to 25kilograms.
Distance to airports: Without airspace clearance, flight within a radius of 10kilometers (6 miles) around an airport are not allowed.
Other Safety distances: It is not permitted to have a side flight of less than 50 meters to persons, buildings,vehicles,ships and animals unless they are directly involved in your filming projects. For flights over uninvolved persons, you need a special permit the RCAA.
Hours of drone Operation(S) in Rwanda: Drone flights at night are not allowed in Rwanda.
Special legislation: Drones most not fly faster than 100 kilometers per hour (87knots). Drones must be marked with a number assigned to you by Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority. The Label may, e.g. via a permanent marker, a sticker or engraving.
Regulations for commercial pilots: no distinction between private and commercial use
Good to know: The airports in Rwanda state that drones must be registered.
We have researched the listed Rwanda drone Filming Rules and regulations to the best of our knowledge but still can’t the correctness of the information as this is likely to change at full discretion of the Rwandese government.
Requirements for filming using a Drone in Rwanda.
Rwanda Visa Advice
You will need to purchase the tourist or Business visa for you to get into Rwanda for Filming. Many film crews prefer obtaining their visas before they come to Rwanda but visas can be obtained easily upon arrival at any entry point and in this case Kigali International Airport upon paying either USD30.00 for Tourist Visa you will be able to get it immediately. Those who come from countries that benefit from the Rwanda Visa Waiver For example From the East African Community member states, USA, COMESA Member states among others don’t need to pay for the Visa and they will be cleared upon arrival at any point of entry into Rwanda contact us here for more details.
Rwanda Vehicle Hire Services
Eco film fixers organizes transport for film crews depending on their interest, budget and the nature of roads in such selected locations they are filming in Rwanda. For rough terrains, like in National Parks, we recommend Customized 4×4 Land Cruisers which costs from USD200-250 per vehicle per day with Driver/Fixer or 4×4 Safari Vans from USD200 per Van per day with driver/Fixer. For us to estimate how much it will cost in terms of fuel, we will need to look at your filming schedule to establish mileage and distance to be travelled. We also organize both charter and schedule air transport for those that need to fly in order to reduce on the number of hours.
Why use Eco film fixers for Importing a Drone in Rwanda.
Eco film fixers is a local fixer company, we assist filming companies and Production agencies in Rwanda and East Africa as a whole we have done this for the last 8 years. We handle all fixer services required with our professional team of local fixers and driver guides. We have all relevant connections with other service providers and government agencies in Rwanda to make sure that accreditation and filming permits are processed in the shortest time possible. Contact us for details and all relevant information you would like to know about Importing a Drone into Rwanda.
