Drone Laws in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea Drone Regulations

According to Papua New Guinea’s national aviation authority, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Papua New Guinea (CASAPNG), flying a drone is legal in Papua New Guinea, but we recommend being aware of and compliant with the drone regulations listed below before doing so.

If you’d like to contact the CASAPNG directly before you travel with any questions you might have, here is their contact information: mnawai@casapng.gov.pg / +675 325 7320

Why fly a drone in Guinea? To get great aerial shots like these!

General Rules for Flying a Drone in Papua New Guinea

Based on our research and interpretation of the laws, here are the most important rules to know for flying a drone in Papua New Guinea.

• Fly only during the day and with clear weather conditions.
• Keep the drone within your visual line of sight.
• Do not fly higher than 122 meters (400 feet) above ground level.
• Do not fly over people or congested areas.
• Do not fly within 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) of any airport or airfield.
• Do not fly in controlled airspace, low-flying zones, danger areas, restricted areas, and military operational areas.

For more information on Papua New Guinea’s drone laws, see this document on the CASAPNG website.

Know something we don’t about drone laws in Papua New Guinea? Send us an email at support@horizonap.com. We are not international aviation attorneys and do our best to keep this page up-to-date for drone pilots, but the reality is that given the pace of the small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) industry and how governments are responding, drone regulations in Papua New Guinea can change throughout the year, and those changes can be hard to track. If we missed something, please reach out to let us know.

Certification Requirements for Flying a Drone in Papua New Guinea

If your drone weighs over 10 kilograms (22 pounds) you will need an Unmanned Aircraft Operator Certificate to operate it.

For the application, you will need to provide details of the intended operation, including the aircraft specifications, assessment of risks and airworthiness, and flight procedures. The certificate will be valid for up to 5 years.

Learn more about certification requirements and how to obtain a certificate in this document issued by the CASAPNG.

Want to get a feel for the kind of footage you could get flying a drone in Papua New Guinea? Here you go: