🖐 In this blog post we’ll share all drone rule links & known rules about recreational & commercial drone use in Argentina (Buenos Aires). Give a 👍 at the end of this post if you enjoyed it & feel free to ask any questions or share your experience in the Argentina Drone Discussion Group. Keep in mind that the content below is updated to the best of our ability & does not replace official sources & your own research.
Recreational vs commercial drone use in Argentina
Argentina differentiates commercial & recreational drone uses. Both are subject to restrictions based on the weight of your drone & a code of conduct.
✅ In Argentina, the regulation and control of drone use falls under the National Civil Aviation Administration of Argentina (ANAC) & they can be contacted anytime via:
Email: normaer@anac.gob.ar
Phone: (+54) 11 5941 3000/3007
The Argentinian authorities will differentiate your drone based on its empty weight in 3 categories:
small (less than 10 kg)
medium (between 10 & 150 kg)
large (more than 150 kg)
Can I travel with my drone to Argentina?
✅ Good news is that currently there are no restrictions on bringing drones into Argentina as long as your import is considered as legitimate (generally one drone per person).
🚨 Be aware of the airline you purchase to travel as some main ones will only accept your drone on-board if its batteries are detached & placed in a firecase during travel time. Most airlines will have a battery voltage limit based on the recommendation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). You can find more info about a specific airline here.
💡 Smart! Get your drone batteries' firecase today and make sure you're complying with aviation safety rules.
Where can I fly my drone in Argentina?
✅ We did not find an official fly zone map for drones in Argentina "If you have more information about this, please share it in the Argentina Drone Discussion Group". Thankfully in the meantime, app.airmap.io has listed all flight zones in a convenient way organised in a 3 colour legend.
Argentina drone fly map
🚨 You should not fly above or near military installations & strategic infrastructure. Fly away from airports & any aerodromes or airports in the country. Between 1 to 5 km from any airport Argentinian runway is considered as a controlled zone where you are limited to a 43 m altitude flight.
🦅 National parks & reserves are on a case by case permission & you might need to check directly with the local park or reserve authorities. It seems however that all national parks will need an authorisation to fly a drone within.
💡 Smart! Pack some spare drone batteries, you never know how close is the next power plug overseas. Also make sure you have a travel adaptor for Argentina.
Recreational Drone use in Argentina
✅ Good things first, you will not need a permit or a license to fly a drone in Argentina as long as you fly a drone weighting less than 10 kg & do not fly in a restricted/forbidden zone. However you will need to register your drone prior flying it in Argentina.
✅ To be eligible, you will also need to be at least 16 years old to operate a drone for recreational use in Argentina (if you are between 16 & 18 years old, you will need supervision of an adult).
Saying this, within the permitted zones, you will need to follow a few rules:
mark your drone with an identification plate.
fly at a maximum altitude of 122 m (43 m within a controlled airspace).
fly during daytime only.
fly a drone weighting less than 10 kg (you will need to register it if heavier).
fly 5 km away from airports, heliports (500 m) & give priority to all other categories of aircraft. If you see an aircraft during your flight, land immediately.
fly away from, vehicles, large crowds & respect individuals' privacy.
fly 30 m horizontally away & 10 m vertically away from people
do not carry anything or drop any object with your drone.
it is advised to subscribe to an insurance covering all risks.
fly only one drone at a time & do not carry anything when flying your drone.
ask before flying any governmental, religious or military sites.
do not fly under the influence of any drugs or alcohol.
How to register my drone in Argentina?
✅ The application is described in 4 easy steps by the Argentinian Authorities:
Click to this online form via Casslero Aeronautico Digital (CAD) & complete your application; you will create an account there which is your point of contact.
Pay the registration fee online.
Print your receipt & CAD form in step 1 (🚨 You might need your signature to be stamped) and go to the National Registry of Aircraft - RNA (Av. Paseo Colón N ° 1452 Ground Floor, CABA (Open Mon-Fri between 8am - 1pm).
Receive your completed application within 48h into your created CAD inbox.
💲 The price of the registration will depend on your drone's (empty) weight; for drones:
below 10 kg = about 20€
between 10 & 150 kg = about 40€
above 150 kg = about 55€
🕔 The Argentinian inform being able to process your drone registration in 5 working days but we recommend you apply for it as soon as you can.
✅ You can contact mas@anac.gov.ar for further help.
What do I risk for flying a drone for recreational use illegally in Argentina?
The amount & scope of the fine will depend on the nature & severity of your infraction. The judges will also evaluate if you intentionally committed the infraction and/or if you had any commercial purposes to do such.
Commercial Drone use in Argentina
✅ To operate a commercial drone flight in Argentina, you will need to ask for an authorisation to ANAC & have a insurance for your activities. But before anything, to be eligible you will need:
to be at least 18 years old
have an insurance covering your drone operations
a psychophysiological aptitude certified by a public hospital, which accounts for your visual & auditory aptitude as well as your fine motor skills.
an operations manual & an adequate risk management system with you.
How to apply for a permission to fly my drone in Argentina?
You will need to register your drone in Argentina prior anything. From then, you will need to submit the flight path and motivations & pay about 75€ to process.
✅ You can contact ayudavant@anac.gob.ar for further help.
What do I risk for flying a drone for commercial use illegally in Argentina?
The amount & scope of the fine will depend on the nature & severity of your infraction. The judges will also evaluate if you intentionally committed the infraction and/or if you had any commercial purposes to do such.
Keeping common sense rules in mind, what are you waiting for?! Start flying above Argentina's awesome landscapes & create videos like this one:
✅ Please leave a comment when you receive news and/or gain experience with your drone in Argentina! Have fun & safe flight! #argentina #argentinian #regulation #law #laws #legislation
💡 You're a local, have a question or want to share a travel experience? Head to our Argentina Drone Discussion Group
Disclaimer: Although great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information researched, we take no responsibility for any loss, harm or damage caused as a direct or indirect consequence of relying on this information. It is your responsibility to seek advice from qualified local & relevant authorities for needed information about local drone regulations.
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Sources
Steps to register your drone online (ANAC website)