How to license to pilot drone?

In Brazil, to operate a drone safely and legally there is no “license” like that of a pilot by plane, but a regulatory process that guarantees the safety of airspace and the responsibility of the operator.

Driving drones in the national territory is no longer a purely recreational activity and, with the increasing professionalization of the sector, requires proper regulation to ensure the safety of airspace and legal compliance.

If you seek to act professionally with drones or just want to fly more peacefully, understanding the licensing process is critical.

For this, you need to follow some steps involving registration, authorization and, in some cases, piloting courses. Next, we will explain the entire bureaucratic process, the necessary documents and the steps to become an authorized drone pilot.

Understanding the Brazilian regulation

First of all, it is crucial to understand that drones regulation in Brazil involves three main organs:

• ANAC (National Civil Aviation Agency): Responsible for regulating civil use of aircraft, including drones (technically called RPAs – remotely piloted aircraft). Anac classifies drones into three classes, based on maximum takeoff weight (MTOW-Maximum Take-Off Weight), and defines the rules for registration, driver qualification and operations;
• Decea (Airspace Control Department): Linked to the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), Decea is responsible for the control of airspace. Any drone flight, whether recreational or professional, needs prior decea authorization, usually requested through the Sarpas (Airspace access system by remotely piloted aircraft);
• Anatel (National Telecommunications Agency): Responsible for approving equipment that uses radio frequencies, such as drones and their remote controls. It is essential that your drone be approved by Anatel to be legally operated in Brazil.

Anac divides drones into three classes, and the requirements for the pilot vary according to them:

• Class 3: Drones with maximum takeoff (MTOW) from 250g to 25 kg.
  • Requirements for the pilot: Minimum age of 18 years, drone piloting course (not required by law, but highly recommended and a differential in the market), and knowledge of safety and regulation rules. For non -recreational operations, drone registration is required at ANAC.
• Class 2: Drones with 25 kg to 150 kg.
  • Requirements for the pilot: Minimum age of 18 years, Aeronautical Medical Certificate (CMA) of 4th class (or higher), Remote Pilot License (Remote Pilot Certificate – CHPR) issued by ANAC, and deep knowledge of safety and regulatory rules. The drone must be registered with Anac.
• Class 1: Drones with Mtow above 150 kg.
  • Requirements for the pilot: There are larger aircraft and require specific and more rigorous certification, comparable to the manned aircraft. The process is more complex and aimed at very specific operations.

Read more:

How to take license to pilot drone

The vast majority of recreational drones and many professional drones fall into class 3. Although Anac does not require a “formal license” for the pilot of this class, it is essential to follow the steps below to operate legally:

Step 1: Anatel Drone Approval

• What it is: certifies that the equipment is in accordance with Brazilian telecommunications standards.
• How to do it: Make sure your drone already has Anatel’s approval seal. Usually drones from well -known brands purchased in national stores are already approved. If you have imported the drone or not sure, you will need to request the approval (or check if it has already been approved by a third party) through the Anatel website or a dispatcher.

Step 2: Drone registration on Sisant (Anac)

• What it is: Anac’s Sisant (unmanned aircraft system) is where you register your drone for non -recreational operations. Even for recreational use, registration is recommended for drones with weight above 250g.
• How to do:
  1. Access the website Sisant.
  2. Create a user account (if not yet).
  3. Fill in the requested data on the drone (model, serial number, etc.).
  4. Attach the necessary documentation (invoice, liability term, etc.).
  5. Wait for the approval of the registration. When approved, you will receive a registration certificate.

Step 3: Accreditation in Decea (Sarpas)

• What it is: Sarpas (Remotely Piloted Air Space Access Request System) is the Decea platform to request flight authorization.
• How to do:
  1. Access the website Sarpas.
  2. Create a user account.
  3. Before each flight, request authorization informing the date, time, place and purpose of the flight. It is crucial to check the area restrictions (near airports, prisons, etc.).
  4. Wait for the approval of the request.

Necessary documents (general for class 3 and sarcas)

• Photo ID (RG or CNH);
• CPF;
• Proof of residence;
• Drone purchase invoice or liability term for possession;
• Anatel approval certificate (or approval number);
• For non -recreational operations, liability insurance for third parties will be required, which covers possible damage caused by the drone.

Recommendations and additional bureaucracy:

• Piloting Courses: Although not required for class 3, a drone riding course is highly recommended. It offers knowledge about safety rules, meteorology, basic equipment maintenance, and flight techniques, preparing it to operate with more safety and professionalism;
• Mandatory insurance: For non -recreational operations, civil liability insurance for damage to third parties is mandatory;
• Manuals and Regulation: Stay up to date with your drone flight manuals and ANAC (RBAC-e 94) and Decea regulations;
• Beware of security: Always prioritize safety. Do not fly over people, in restricted areas, or in adverse weather conditions.

To operate class 2 drones (25 kg to 150 kg), the process is more rigorous and involves, in addition to the above steps, the obtaining of the Aeronautical Medical Certificate (CMA) and the theoretical and practical test for the Remote Pilot Driver Certificate (CHPR) with ANAC.