Tools / Everyday
Can I fly my drone here?
Bought a drone and not sure where to fly it? The map shows the 5-kilometre no-fly circle around every airport and airfield in the country, and the GCAA rules: mandatory registration for any weight, 400 ft ceiling, line of sight, daylight only, never over people or property. And Dubai? Recreational flying remains suspended until further notice per the latest reports. Plus the fines if you break the rules.
Rules that apply to you
Penalties (the law as cited by the GCAA)
How to use it
- Set your location on the map or tap «my location» — inside a red circle means no flying (5 km from airports).
- Pick the drone's weight and use (recreational or commercial) and read the rules that apply to you.
- Register the drone and get trained through the UAE Drone platform, and check the dynamic zones in the app before every flight.
Questions
Is the map enough?
No. Airport circles are fixed and known, but other restricted areas (military, palaces, events, construction) are dynamic and change, and appear in the UAE Drone app or the Dubai drone map. This map is only a first check.
Must I register a small drone?
Yes. The GCAA requires every recreational drone to be registered regardless of weight, through the UAE Drone platform with UAE Pass, plus a training certificate from an approved centre. The recreational permit covers up to 5 kg and is valid two years per reports. In Dubai, toys under 250 g are excluded from the DCAA directive.
Is Dubai allowed?
The federal ban on individuals was lifted in January 2025, but the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority kept recreational flying suspended «until further notice» per 2025 and 2026 reports, even though it issued a directive in December 2025 with recreational rules (under 2.5 kg, within 500 m, below 122 m, in approved zones, with Remote ID). Check the Dubai app before flying.
What are the fines?
The GCAA page cites the law: flying without a permit or registration is up to a year's imprisonment and/or a fine up to AED 50,000; flying over a prohibited area, without registration marks, or ignoring a landing order is up to 3 years and/or up to 100,000. 2025 reports mention higher ranges (up to 500,000 for unregistered operation and a million for endangering aviation) without naming the text — treat the official figures as a minimum.
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