I Finally Got My Drone License + [How To Get A Drone License In Kenya]

Thinking of becoming a drone pilot in Kenya? I will be creating an online course that prepares you for the KCAA license. Join the waitlist here to be the first to know when it launches.

For the past three years, I have written about drones for clients. I wrote about how to fly them safely, the various uses of drones, reviewing top models, and even the latest releases and drone-related news.

Little did I know that I was developing a passion for the industry. I was always eager to research the topics and write about them.

Eventually, I started looking for ways I could practically fly a drone, considering drone laws in Kenya are still new, and I finally did it.

The Training

There are many drone training institutions in Kenya, but I chose KENDRONE for my training, and below are some reasons why;

• They are the pioneers of drone training and commercial drone services in Kenya.
• They have a team of good instructors who are also experienced, drone pilots. Craig Cleave, the Managing Director at KENDRONE, has a strong background in Aviation.
• They offer the best support on how to launch your drone career in Kenya while following the various laws according to KCAA guidelines.

KENDRONE is a leading training institution as well as a service provider of commercial drone services.

Their institution is located at St. Elizabeth Boys High School, Karen, while their practicals are conducted at Ondiri Farm, Kikuyu.

And guess what? Once you complete your course, you can access Ondiri Farm and practice your drone flying skills for free.

What You’ll Learn In The Drone Training Course

Below are the main topics taught in this course;

• Air Law – the various laws guiding how to fly a drone in Kenya.
• Filing a Flight Plan – You learn how to file a flight plan, which comes in handy when flying close to aerodromes or in controlled airspaces.
• Meteorology – Here, you learn how to decode the various meteorology codes (METARS and TAFs), which also helps when flying close to aerodromes.
• Navigation and Flight Planning – Here, you learn about coordinates, GPS, Airspace classification and structures, and operation procedures.
• Human Factors –Here, you learn the various ways to maintain good airmanship by making sure before flying a drone, you are not under stress, not under the influence of alcohol, not fatigued, and not under any medication that would affect your performance.
• Principles of Flight – Here, you learn how drones work; how they generate lift and stay in the air per Bernoulli’s Principle.
• RT&G Study Guide- This is a guide on the various components of a UAS, how they all work, and, most importantly, how to handle the batteries.

You’re wrong if you thought you could just buy a drone in Kenya and start flying. You must get approval from the KCAA regardless of whether you’re flying for commercial purposes or leisure.

For instance, the whole of the Nairobi Airspace is a controlled Airspace, with regular low-flying aircraft. If you fly a drone too high, interfere with manned aircraft, and lack authorization, you risk being jailed for up to 3 years or pay a fine of 1 or 2 million Kenyan Shillings.

How to avoid this and other issues is taught in detail in the course.

What You Need To Attend The Course

To attend the course, you’ll need the following;

• To be 18 years
• Have a Class 3 Medical Certificate
• Pay the fees. At the time of writing this, the cost was Ksh 156,000

Do I Need A License To Fly A Drone In Kenya?

Yes, you will need a license (Remote Pilot License), especially if you will be flying for commercial purposes.

But if you’re planning to fly as a hobby, you can get the RPA (Remote Piloted Aircraft) which is cheaper but limiting in what you can do.

Can I Use A Drone In Kenya?

Yes, you can. You’ll need a license and authorization if you’re a resident, business, or government.

You can get a 30-day permit to operate a drone in Kenya as a foreigner. You can also consider hiring a drone and a pilot.

How Much Is A Drone License In Kenya?

The license itself costs around Ksh 4000. However, to get it for the first time, you must go through an authorized training institution, which charges anywhere between Ksh 120,000 and Ksh 200,000.

To operate commercially, you will also need ops authorization and a ROC (Remote Operator’s Certificate), which costs Ksh 80,000 and is renewed annually for Ksh 50,000.

Since getting a ROC is a complex process for an individual, you can consider using another company’s ROC at a fee.

How Do I Become A Drone Pilot In Kenya?

To become a drone pilot in Kenya, you must attend training in an approved institution, like KENDRONE, and take and pass both the theory and practical assessments.

How Much Does It Cost To Own A Drone In Kenya?

Besides buying the drone (which will cost more than Ksh 100,000 for a good drone), you need to get third-party insurance which costs about KSh 15,000, that is, if you don’t fly it.

But to operate a drone, you need an ops authorization that costs about Ksh 2000 and a ROC from a company with one, which will cost you about Ksh 15,000.

How To Import A Drone Into Kenya

To import a drone, you must get a permit from the KCAA. You can apply for it on the KCAA ROMS platform online.

If you bought the drone locally, you still need to get the import permit to register the drone.

Conclusion

And there you have it. If you want to use drones in Kenya, start by getting licensed and learning the various laws from an institution like KENDRONE.

Remember, this training teaches the basic uses of a drone and the laws. Still, you must go through it before getting into advanced training in drone flying for applications like photography, racing, agriculture, or aerial surveying.

If you would like to hire us, please get in touch asap!