Certification and licensing

Basic requirements and procedures

What certificates or licences are required to operate drones and what procedures apply?

Article 30 of Annex I of ANAC Resolution 368/2019 sets forth that a drone operator who wants to operate commercially requires a CO-VANT certificate, which specifies the class of drone and the type of operation.

Also, article 46 of the aforementioned Resolution sets forth that anyone who wants to be a drone pilot needs a competence certificate, whose requirements are being of Argentine legal age, passing theoretical and practical training, and having medical certification.

Taxes and fees

Are certification and licensing procedures subject to any taxes or fees?

Articles 1 and 4 of ANAC Resolution 457/2019 set forth fees of 480 Argentine pesos for authorisation as a member of the remote tripulation and of 1,200 pesos for the authorisation of drone operation.

Eligibility

Who may apply for certifications and licences? Do any restrictions apply?

According to article 46 of Annex I of ANAC Resolution 368/2019, to obtain the certifications and licences the following requirements apply. One must:

  • be of Argentine legal age;
  • be able to read, speak and understand Spanish;
  • possess a Class 4 aeronautical medical certification;
  • have completed the instruction in a certified civil aeronautical instruction centre; and
  • have passed a theoretical exam of basic aeronautical knowledge.
Remote pilot licences

Must remote pilots obtain any certifications or licences to operate drones? If so, do the relevant procedures differ based on the type of drone or operation?

Yes, remote pilots must obtain a certificate of competence under the same requirements that are listed in question 13.

Article 48 of Annex I of ANAC Resolution 368/2019 sets forth that the certificate of competence will allow the operation of B, C or D drone classes (fixed wing, rotating wing or aerostats).

Foreign operators

Are foreign operators authorised to fly drones in your jurisdiction? If so, what requirements and restrictions apply?

Yes, according to article 53 of Annex I of ANAC Resolution 368/2019, foreign operators are authorised to fly drones in Argentina.

If the foreign operator has a certificate of competence from its country, it must be filed with ANAC. The aforementioned authority will validate the certificate as long as it has been duly apostilled and translated into Spanish by an Argentine authorised translator. A foreign operator may also request an Argentine certificate following the requirements listed in question 13.

Certificate of airworthiness

Is a certificate of airworthiness required to operate drones? If so, what procedures apply?

According to article 9 of Annex I of ANAC Resolution 368/2019, the accreditation of an airworthiness certificate will not be required for the user of drones for their registration, but ANAC is empowered to follow the necessary verifications and request documentation that proves the airworthiness of Class C drones, all prior to its registration.

For the registration of Class D drones, ANAC will additionally require the existence of an official certification issued by the manufacturer that certifies the airworthiness status.

Class D drones manufactured in Argentina must have a certification issued by ANAC according to the rules of Part 21 of the Argentine Civil Aviation Regulations.