Airffic InspectionLe guide d’avenir de l’inspection par drone

REGULATIONS / SA

Arabie saoudite: règles applicables aux drones d’inspection

L’Arabie saoudite réglemente les petits drones non récréatifs (moins de 25 kg) par la partie 107 du GACAR et leur enregistrement par la partie 48. Les drones de 250 g ou plus doivent être enregistrés, de même que tout drone, quelle que soit sa masse, portant un capteur capable de capter des données personnelles ou de relevé, ce qui couvre presque tous les drones d’inspection. Les télépilotes doivent détenir un certificat de télépilote comprenant une vérification de sécurité, et les exploitants un Certificate of Authorization. Les règles standard imposent le vol en vue, de jour uniquement et à ≤400 ft AGL, mais à moins de 400 ft d’une structure, le vol jusqu’à 400 ft au-dessus de son sommet est autorisé. L’AC 107-01 (juin 2025) fait passer les « opérations avancées » de nuit, au-dessus de personnes, hors vue et près des structures par des autorisations fondées sur une évaluation des risques (OA/UOC, SORA acceptée).

Vérifié auprès des sources officielles

Les champs sont consignés dans la langue des notes de recherche.

Autoritéサウジアラビア民間航空総局 (GACA) / General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Saudi Arabia
Cadre principalGACAR Part 107 (non-recreational civil small unmanned aircraft systems, version 3.0; no issue date shown), GACAR Part 48 (registration and marking of small UA and model aircraft, version 3.0), and Advisory Circular AC 107-01 'Advanced Operations with UAS' (version 1.0, 3 June 2025). AC 107-01 sets out an Open/Specific-style approach. An older 2016 AC 101-01 under GACAR Part 101 Subpart F belongs to the previous case-by-case regime.
ImmatriculationUnder GACAR Part 48, model aircraft and small UA of 250 g MTOW or more must be registered and marked. So must any aircraft, whatever its weight, carrying a sensor able to capture personal data or survey/geospatial information, which covers almost every inspection drone. Only Saudi citizens and lawful residents may register. Certificates are issued only after GACA Aviation Security clearance, are valid for 3 years, and the aircraft must show its registration number.
Identification à distanceNeither Part 107 nor Part 48 addresses Remote ID. AC 107-01 lists operations in UTM-designated airspace as advanced operations (not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22)
Licence de télépiloteAnyone acting as remote pilot in command needs a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating (Part 107.13). Requirements: age 18 or over, clearance by the GACA Aviation Security Division, English ability, knowledge and practical tests, and recurrent knowledge every 24 months. Commercial operators also need a Certificate of Authorization (Part 107.17). For advanced operations (night, over people, BVLOS beyond 1 km, dangerous goods), pilots need extra practical training certificates (AC 107-01).
Catégories de risqueSmall UA under 25 kg follow the standard Part 107 limits (an Open-like category). Advanced operations fall into a Specific category under Part 107 Subpart D. They need either an Operational Authorization (one-time or short-term) or a UAS Operator Certificate (longer-term, up to 3 years), backed by an operational risk assessment (SORA is accepted) and an operations manual. UA of 25-150 kg need an OA or UOC, and UA over 150 kg cannot use the Specific category.
BVLOSBVLOS is an advanced operation. It needs an OA or UOC with a strong safety case and ATC approval for segregated airspace, a visual observer for FPV, insurance, and pilot training certificates for BVLOS beyond 1 km (AC 107-01).
Nuit et survol de personnesThe standard Part 107 rules ban night flight, require anti-collision lights in civil twilight, and allow flight over people only if they are taking part or are under cover or inside a stationary vehicle. Night and over-people operations can be authorised by waiver or as advanced operations (OA/UOC). AC 107-01 calls a flight termination parachute a very effective mitigation over people.
Près des ouvragesThe limit is 400 ft AGL, except within a 400 ft radius of a structure, where flight up to 400 ft above its top is allowed (Part 107.59), which helps tower and tall-structure inspection. VLOS is required, with visibility of at least 5 km. ATC authorisation is needed in Class B/C/D airspace and airport surface areas, and permission in prohibited and restricted areas. AC 107-01 treats operations close to buildings or structures where people are present as hazardous advanced operations, and non-shielded operations near uncontrolled aerodromes need agreement with the aerodrome operator.
Intérieur et confiné(not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22)
Images et vie privéeRegistration is required for any drone with a sensor able to capture personal data or survey/geospatial information (Part 48). The Personal Data Protection Law (in force September 2023) applies (not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22)
Changements récentsAC 107-01 (3 June 2025) set up an advanced-operations route (Specific category, OA/UOC, SORA-based risk assessment, up to 150 kg). The issue dates of GACAR Part 107 and Part 48 version 3.0 were not shown in the documents (not verified against an official source, 2026-10-22)

Si le même vol comporte aussi du tournage, le guide Aerial couvre règles et sources pour filmer par drone en Arabie saoudite.

Sources

Sources vérifiées: 2026-10-22