The Cabinet has passed amendments to the Civil Aviation Law that will regulate the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The new measures come in response to a number of crashes in Taiwan involving drones.
Under the new rules, remote drones weighing 15 kgs or more will fall under the authority of the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA). Those weighing under 15 kgs will come under the jurisdiction of local governments.
Deputy transportation minister Tseng Dar-jen explained the new restrictions on heavier drones.
"It has to do with the difficulty of maneuvering the vehicles, the conditions of their use, and what possible effects they may have," Tseng said. "There has to be a dividing line. The higher the specifications, the bigger the size, the better the performance and the more uses of the vehicle, then the stricter the restrictions, which will be managed by the central government."
In line with international regulations, UAVs in Taiwan cannot fly above 400 feet, the equivalent of a 40-story building. UAVs will not be allowed in prohibited or restricted areas or around runways without permission. UAV operators who violate regulations could face a fine of up to NT$1.5 million (US$45,000).