Currently, unmanned aerial vehicles are not a novelty in the market. They are also referred to as quadcopters, model aircraft, drones, or simply unmanned aerial vehicles. However, as statistics show, there are systematic violations of the regulations governing airspace use involving unmanned aerial vehicles in Belarus.

Answered by the district police inspector Rules of use:

• First, model aircraft must not ascend to a height of more than 100 meters above ground or water level.
• Operation is prohibited if their total weight exceeds 0.5 kilograms and there is no marking.
• It is forbidden to be in areas prohibited for their use without coordination with the state authorities in whose interests they are established.
• The user is obliged to comply with the operating rules and fulfill the safety requirements provided by the manufacturer.

It should be noted that flights of UAVs are prohibited over populated areas, except for rural ones. To carry out a flight in permissible areas, the owner must submit a plan or application for the use of airspace to the Unified Air Traffic Organization Center. Documents are submitted through the "Internet Application" system of the State Enterprise "Belaeronavigation" via a personal account after a preliminary service agreement with the mentioned organization is concluded.

The most important condition is that it is necessary to obtain permission from the General Staff of the Armed Forces and indicate this in the flight plan or application for the use of airspace. The permission is issued free of charge and in a short time.

Where is it prohibited to use aerial vehicles?

The coordinates of dangerous zones, within which flights of UAVs are allowed, are provided in the list of dangerous zones in the airspace of Belarus. Familiarization with its graphical representation is possible on the website of the National Cadastral Agency.

What are the consequences for violating the rules of using airspace?

Administrative liability in the form of a warning or imposition of a fine (Article 18.35 of the Code of Administrative Offenses). A natural person will have to pay up to 20 basic units as sanctions, while a legal entity will pay up to 50. A repeated offense within a year is punishable by a fine: for individuals - from 10 to 50 basic units, for legal entities - from 20 to 100 basic units.

National legislation does not explicitly provide for criminal liability for violations of the rules for using unmanned aerial vehicles. However, depending on the consequences that have occurred, the actions of the guilty party may be qualified under the articles of the Criminal Code (for example, as hooliganism, acts of terrorism, violations of air transport operation rules, etc.)

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