The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority has moved to clamp on the growing use of remotely piloted aircraft systems which includes drones widely used in aerial photography.
The guidelines issued today said the safe operation of aircraft necessitates compliance with a number of requirements which are established in the Annexes to the Chicago Convention and the Ghana Civil Aviation Regulations/ Directives (GCARs/ GCADs).
These requirements apply equally to RPAS operations and are intended to mitigate risk to persons and property on the ground and other airspace users. Where differences occur from manned aviation, they are specified in these directives.
The goal of Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) in addressing RPAS is to provide a regulatory framework through Directives and supporting Procedures for Air Navigation Services (PANS) and Guidance Material, to underpin routine operation of RPAS throughout Ghana in a safe, harmonized and seamless manner comparable to that of manned operations.
Most importantly, introduction of remotely piloted aircraft into Ghana’s airspace, especially the approach corridor and at aerodromes, should in no way increase safety risks to manned aircraft, persons and properties.