I read recently that Chile is getting more open towards flying unmanned aerial vehicles.
At the same time, I just got told on another forum (not sure community guidelines allow me to post another name), that flying drones is prohibited and requires permission from DGAC.
Anyone here have any knowledge or information on this?
I am not talking about massive heavy vehicles, but small light weight ones that weigh maybe a kilo and half or so.
As far as I know you need a permission from the aeronautical authorities to use one anywhere in Chile. That would take a certain amount of time to obtain.
Trip Report:
You can easily get the permission within a week or so (or maybe I got lucky in that). I was flying over non-populated areas, so maybe that's why I got the permissions quickly.
To fly on mainland, you need to talk to DGAC (which acts like Chile's aviation authority).
To fly on Easter Island, you need to talk to CONAF.
And in addition, in some places, you also need to talk to locals. For example, I wanted to fly over the El Tatio geysers near San Pedro de Atacama. Even though I had permission from DGAC, the local chiefs wanted me to pay them in order to fly. The amount of money they asked for far exceeded the cost of the drone itself !
And finally, I was also questioned about the drone when I flew into Chile. They asked if I had got some form of customs clearance over it. I didn't. They wanted to make sure I was going take the drone back out of the country with me and not sell it or something. After some talking, the agent was convinced and let me go.
Do you happen to have any idea how to contact them for permission? I've submitted email to them translated to Spanish but no one has responded. I'm nervous about bringing my phantom 3. I am going to Chile and Easter Island.
There was an article in the paper the other day about drones and it looks like the DGAC is slowing down on permissions because there are now so many. Maybe that is why they haven't bothered answering.
I don't think it will do any good to contact Conaf on Easter Island as the local council has taken over control of the park. It has been been an issue for some time about who should have authority over the park and Conaf staff cannot enter at the moment and your guide has to be local. You would have to talk to someone there but I have no idea who.
This is the process for getting permission (in Spanish):
Dgac permission
By the summer they will add obligatory insurance against possible damages.
Hey,
I don't know the latest news. Femby knows more.
The only "trouble" I had with the drone was at the Santiago airport, when I landed first. They scanned my bags and saw I had a drone. So, they asked me for custom papers. I showed them the letters from DGAC authorizing me to fly the drones. But the officer said he was more interested in custom papers. After a little bit of talking and convincing, he let me go through.
On the island, I didn't have any issues at all. Though, every site I went, I asked the local "official" if it was okay with me flying the drone. They said okay as long as I didn't break stuff. ;)
I also flew the drone (Phantom 2+), around San Pedro. No one is there anyway so its easy to fly around. I didn't fly anywhere else.
Having the permission didn't hurt. But I didn't see any issues or problems where I had to show people the permission.
OhH... DO NOT FLY over the tatio geyers! I asked for permission from the local staff (even though I had permission from DGAC) and they said they would have to ask the two tribal leaders. The tribal leaders were okay, as long as I paid them 1000$ or something. Which is more than the amount I paid for the drone!
Thanks for the help. Was your drone in a checked bag or carry on? Do you think one is a better option than the other?
I spent some time speaking with the consulate but they had no idea and didn't really want to try to find out.
I see a lot of articles about the new rules but I can't find anywhere to submit an application or ask permission?
If I get stopped at the airport I'd like to be able to say I applied but no one responded and show them the form I filled out.
I'm going to be in Portillo and Valle Nevado mostly so I should be able to steer clear of a lot of people and towns.
For the sake of the future utility of this thread here is what I just found. http://www.dgac.gob.cl/portalweb/rest-portalweb/jcr/repository/collaboration/sites%20content/live/dgac/web%20contents/site%20artifacts/noticiasdestacadas/medias/images/drones-20150416.pdf
These appear to be the correct people to contact.
I kept my drone in a carry-on with me at all times. Search around the web. You'll find people saying not to fly the batteries (LiPo) in the checked-in bags. Apart from that one issue, you should realize that baggage handlers might not be careful with your drone case. They may throw the bags onto conveyors or put much heavier bags on top of your drone bag etc... I dont know how sturdy or protective your case is.
Yeah, the consulates weren't much help to me either. I emailed them and they told me to contact the Chilean Air Force!
Luckily, someone gave me the link to the DGAC site along with those emails you posted.
Have a good flight bud.
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