Georgia imposes tight restrictions on drones and unmanned aircrafts

Georgia is introducing tighter restrictions on flying unmanned aircraft under the country’s sky.

The regulatory norms on operating the aircraft models and operation of unmanned aircraft in the airspace will be launched from today and introduced in phases.

As Georgia’s Ministry of Economy announced, the regulations aim to improve flying safety in Georgia’s airspace.

The regulations do not concern the unmanned aircraft weighing less than 250 grams, toy unmanned aircraft for minors and operation of unmanned aerial vehicles in buildings.

The regulations prohibit "careless operation" of UAVs as well as their usage that could place human life and property in danger. It is also forbidden to cross the border of Georgia with UAVs without the permission from the Georgian Civil Aviation Agency.

Maximum weight of drones should not exceed over 25kg and the altitude of their operation should not be more than 122 metres, with a maximum speed of 54 km/hour.

A 14 year-old person will be allowed to operate drones under adult supervision.

Upon hearing that Georgia was going to introduce tighter restrictions on flying, Radio Free Europe’s Amos Chapple, an early pioneer of drone photography, journeyed to the country to make one last aerial record of Georgia’s highlands, plains and towns before the new rules come into effect.

See his project here.