Chapter One
Title of the Law, Definitions, Scope of Application, and Objectives: Title of the Law, Definitions, Scope of Application, and Objectives
Article (2)
The following words and expressions, wherever mentioned in this Law, will have the meaning
indicated opposite each of them unless the context implies otherwise:
UAE: The United Arab Emirates.
Emirate: The Emirate of Dubai.
Executive Council: The Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai.
GCAA: The General Civil Aviation Authority.
DCAA: The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority.
DP: The Dubai Police.
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DANS: The Dubai Air Navigation Services Corporation.
Government Entity: This includes any of the Government departments, public
agencies or corporations, authorities and councils affiliated to
the Government of Dubai, or similar entities.
Director General: The director general of the DCAA.
Aircraft: Any machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from
the reactions of the air other than the reactions of the air against
the surface of the earth, and that is designated for civilian
purposes. This includes all aerial vehicles, such as various types
of aircraft and fixed- and rotary-wing balloons.
Unmanned Aircraft: An Aircraft flying without a human pilot on board. This includes
Radio-controlled Aircraft, Remotely Piloted Aircraft, and
Autonomous Aircraft.
Radio-controlled Aircraft: An Unmanned Aircraft that is controlled and steered, within the
visual line of sight of an Unmanned Aircraft Pilot, using a hand-
held radio transmitter.
Remotely Piloted Aircraft: An Unmanned Aircraft that is controlled and steered wirelessly
from a Remote Control Station.
Autonomous Aircraft: An Unmanned Aircraft that is programmed to be controlled and
steered autonomously.
Air Routes: Designated routes in the Airspace, within which the flying of
Unmanned Aircraft is permitted.
Airspace: The portion of the atmosphere extending vertically and
horizontally above the territory of the Emirate.
Airspace Safety: The procedures taken by the DCAA to ensure the safety of
Airspace in accordance with the relevant recognised
international standards.
Controlled Airspace: The portion of the Airspace that is controlled by the DANS.
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Airport: A demarcated area on the ground, on a water body, or on top
of a structure, which meets all relevant internationally
recognised standards and requirements and which is designated
for Aircraft landing, take-off, overnight stay, and maintenance.
This includes the buildings, control towers, runways, devices,
equipment, systems, and other facilities attached to that area.
Heliport: An area whose coordinates are defined through signs, whether
located on the ground or installed on top of structures, on
marine platforms, or on ships, which is designated for the safe
landing and take-off of helicopters, and which meets all relevant
internationally recognised standards and requirements.
Prohibited Area: A defined portion of Airspace within which the conduct of
Operations is prohibited.
Restricted Area: A defined portion of Airspace within which the conduct of
Operations is circumscribed by certain conditions.
Danger Area: A defined portion of Airspace within which risk factors, that may
compromise the safety of Operations, exist.
Approved Area: A defined portion of Airspace, approved by the DCAA in
coordination with the DANS, within which the conduct of
Operations is permitted.
Operations: This includes the operation of Unmanned Aircraft and their
control systems, Operation Tests, and all Related Activities
thereof.
Related Activities: The activities determined pursuant to a resolution of the Director
General. These include, without limitation, Operation Tests and
the operation of Unmanned Aircraft Airports.
Operation Tests: A set of technical procedures and processes to which an
Unmanned Aircraft is subjected in order to verify its
airworthiness and to ensure Airspace Safety.
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Infrastructure: All facilities, utilities, and software required for operating
Unmanned Aircraft, regardless of the type of their control
systems.
Unmanned Aircraft Airport: An area designated for the landing and take-off of Unmanned
Aircraft, which is approved by the DCAA in coordination with the
DANS and the concerned entities.
Person: A legal or natural person.
Owner: A Person who owns an Unmanned Aircraft or any part thereof;
the Infrastructure; an Unmanned Aircraft Airport; or any fuel or
power supply station.
Operator: A Person authorised by the DCAA to conduct any of the
Operations, in accordance with the provisions of this Law and
the resolutions issued in pursuance hereof.
Permit: A document issued by the DCAA authorising a Person to use an
Unmanned Aircraft or conduct any of the Related Activities.
Permit Holder: A Person who obtains a Permit from the DCAA to conduct any
of the Related Activities.
Contractor: A Person who is licensed to practise the contracting profession
in accordance with the legislation in force in the Emirate, and
who is appointed to conduct any works for an Owner or an
Operator.
Consultant: A Person who is licensed to practise the engineering consultancy
profession in accordance with the legislation in force in the
Emirate, and who provides engineering or technical
consultations for an Owner or an Operator.
Unmanned Aircraft Pilot: A qualified Person assigned by an Operator to operate and
control an Unmanned Aircraft throughout a flight.
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Controller: A qualified Person assigned by an Operator to assist the pilot of
a Remotely Piloted Aircraft in safely operating it, or to supervise
Autonomous Aircraft Operations.
Crew Member: A qualified Person assigned by an Operator to perform any
duties related to Unmanned Aircraft systems throughout a flight.
Remote Control Station: A set of devices which are used for controlling a Remotely
Piloted Aircraft and which form part of its operating system. This
includes any equipment or other components used to pilot the
Remotely Piloted Aircraft.
Operational Safety
Certificate:
A document issued by the DCAA authorising an Operator to
conduct Operations.
Independent Safety
Assessor:
A Person authorised by the DCAA to verify whether or not an
Owner or Operator is in compliance with the safety procedures,
requirements, and conditions adopted by the DCAA.
Incident: Any act or measure that is related to the operation of an
Unmanned Aircraft and that may compromise the safety of its
operation or cause harm to life or property.
Accident: An Incident that occurs as a result of the operation of an
Unmanned Aircraft and that causes harm to life or property, or
damage to the Unmanned Aircraft.
Scope of Application