Drones: KCAA Set to Effect New Licensing Charges [Full Price List]

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) is set to begin operationalization of the Civil Aviation (Regulatory Fees and Charges  for Unmanned Aircraft Systems) Regulations 2020 after the National Assembly acceded to it on March 6, 2021.

The Parliament greenlight set the stage for implementation of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) regulatory framework in Kenya. The proposed charges had been gazzetted by the  Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and  Public Works, Mr. James W. Macharia, EGH under Legal Notice No. 4 of 2021 on 22 January  2021. 

The charges represent a reduction from revoked rates under the Kenya Civil Aviation (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems) Regulations, 2017. The controversial licensing fees had sparked widespread uproar and concern, leading to a review process that brought on bought various stakeholders.

Under the new structure, Kenyans and entities wishing to own and operate a drone will pay a Ksh3,000 registration fee.

It breaks down charges to be levied for other services – including issuance of a temporary permit, change of ownership, issue of certificate of airworthiness, Remote Air Operator Certificate (RAOC), approval of training organizations, overflight permit and more.

Kenya Civil Aviation Authority Director General, Capt. Gilbert M. Kibe expressed confidence that the new regulatory framework would fuel innovation in the sector.

“Innovation in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) has been  accelerating at such an exponential rate. The capabilities of this technology are limitless – from the positives such as filming movies, documentaries, sports, weddings and delivering  medicines,” he noted.

KCAA also encouraged individuals or entities that have already imported UAS to apply for registration and approval to lawfully engage in safe and  secure drone operations.

They highlighted possibilities for use of drones in areas including precision agriculture, wildlife  management, inspection of power grid, building, dams, solar inspection, research, crop  spraying and data collection, forest management, road traffic monitoring and surveillance  and aerial mapping. 

The Civil Aviation (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) Regulations, 2020 categorizes drones based on the risks posed by their operations, from low risks to high risks under categories,  A, B and C. The purpose of the UAS, and risk to public safety and security form the basis  for consideration by the Authority in registering, issuing of approvals and authorizations  for operations.

Here is the full list of charges under the new structure:

FEES AND CHARGES FOR SERVICES RENDERED BY KENYA CIVIL AVIATION
AUTHORITY IN RELATION TO UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM

No. Service Charges (KSh.)

A. UAS IMPORT & REGISTRATION
Issuance of Import Permit 3,000
Registration 3,000
Certificate of Deregistration or Cancellation 2,000
Reservation of special Registration Marks Series 10,000
Copy of the UAS Register 3,000
Change of ownership 2,500
Amendment of a certificate of registration  2,000
Issuance of temporary permit 20,000
B. Airworthiness
Issue of Certificate of Airworthiness 5,000
C. Remote Air Operator Certificate (ROC)
Initial issue 80,000
Renewal of ROC  50,000
Amendments of ROC  5,000
Addition of UAS to the ROC 2,000
Inclusion of new UAS Type 10,000
Approval of manuals. 5,000
D. TRAINING ORGANIZATION
Training organization approval 80,000
Renewal of ATOs certificate 50,000
Modification/Amendment of Approval 5,000
E. CERTIFICATION OF UAS RESALERS AND DISTRIBUTORS
Initial issue 80,000
Renewal 50,000
Modification/Amendment of Approval 5,000
E. AUTHORIZATIONS
Operation authorizations Category A
Category B & C
2,000
2,500
Overflight permit 10,000
F. LICENSING
Issue of SRPL 2,000
Issue of RPL 4,000
Beyond Visual Line of Sight (B-VLOS) Rating 2,000
Extended Visual Line of Sight (E-VLOS) Rating 2,000
RPA Observer Certificate 2,000
RPA Certificate (for class A operations) 2,000
Renewal of RPL 2,000
Instructor rating for RPL 3,000
Radio telephone exam 2,000
Kenya Subsidiary Legislation, 2021 43
No. Service Charges
(KSh.)
Reissuing of duplicate RPL 10,000
Validation of RPL 5,000
Examinations SRPL 4,000
Examinations RPL 4,000
Examinations Repeat (partial pass) 2,000
Validation of ICAO Contracting States Licenses
SRPL
2,000
Validation of ICAO Contracting States Licenses
RPL
4,000
G. OTHER SERVICES
Issue/Reissue/Amendment of a letter of approval/no objection etc 4,000