Senate approves amendments to Civil Aviation Law

Santo Domingo.- The Senate of the Republic passed a bill in its second reading on Tuesday, amending 34 articles of Law 491-06 on Civil Aviation of the Dominican Republic, aimed at updating it and incorporating regulations for the operation of drones.

These legislative amendments seek to enhance operational safety regulations, aligning them more closely with the criteria established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The proposed legislation emphasizes the importance of a robust regulatory framework for civil aviation, essential for ensuring both the security of users and stakeholders in the sector and fostering trust on an international scale.

The bill submitted by the Executive Branch outlines modifications to 34 articles of Law 491-06. The first article of the bill introduces definitions for key terms, including:

1. Remotely Piloted Aircraft: An unmanned aircraft piloted from a remote piloting station.
2. Validation: The written acceptance of a measure adopted by the Civil Aviation Authority of another country in lieu of a measure taken by the Director-General exercising the powers conferred by this law.
3. Device: Instruments, equipment, apparatus, parts, attachments, or accessories used or intended for use in the navigation, operation, or control of an aircraft in flight, including parachutes, safety equipment, communication devices, and any other mechanisms not part of the aircraft or its aeronautical products.