Civilian drone industry preparing for takeoff

A new industrial sector will soon emerge in Morocco : the civil drone industry. The Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGAC) has just developed a specific regulatory framework for the manufacture and operation of these unmanned aircraft.A draft decree concerning the design, production, maintenance, and operation of these aircrafts, prepared by the DGAC, has been submitted to the General Secretariat of the Government (SGG).
« This new regulation comes in response to strong demand from foreign investors wishing to establish themselves in the Kingdom to build their production units « , said the DGAC.
The new decree sets out a series of essential conditions. Safety is a non-negotiable requirement. « Unmanned aircraft must be designed and constructed in such a way as to be suitable for their intended function and to be operated, adjusted, and maintained without exposing anyone to risk ,» the draft decree specifies. They must be « safe for the safety of the person operating the aircraft or for third parties in the air or on the ground, including property .»
The design and production of these unmanned, remotely controlled, or autonomous flying vehicles will be contingent upon obtaining a certificate issued by the Directorate General for Civil Aviation This certificate will specify the limitations related to safety, security, operating conditions, and/or privileges.
Article 3 of the draft decree stipulates that the certificate is required for the design, production, maintenance, and operation of unmanned aircraft and their engines, propellers, parts, non-fixed equipment, and remote control equipment. This also applies to personnel, including remote pilots, and organizations involved in these activities, in accordance with the requirements to be established by a decree of the government authority responsible for civil aviation.
This draft decree is currently being finalized by the DGAC. It will establish the rules and procedures applicable to the design, production, and maintenance of drones and their remote control equipment. It will also define the procedures applicable to the operation of these aircraft and to personnel, including remote pilots.
The conditions required to issue this certificate will also be defined in this draft decree. The latter will include the procedures for registering and marking aircraft and for registering their operators, whether amateur or professional.
The draft decree indicates that this certificate may be limited, suspended or withdrawn when its holder no longer meets the conditions and requirements set by the order of the Government authority in charge of civil aviation.
Khadija Skalli