Aerial shots are some of the most striking images of the country. Here is what the civil aviation rules allow, and what landowners expect.
Drones in Papua New Guinea are regulated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA PNG) under Civil Aviation Rule Part 101. The good news for film crews: most camera drones fall into the simplest category, as long as a few standard conditions are respected.
The standard conditions
— Maximum height of 120 m (400 ft) above ground level
— Daylight flights only, with the drone in visual line of sight
— Consent of the owner or occupier before flying over their property
— At least 30 m from people who have not given their consent
— Extra conditions near aerodromes — and the country has hundreds of airstrips
— The drone must be registered with CASA PNG
When you need an authorisation
Night flights, flights above 120 m, over populated areas or in controlled airspace, and aircraft over 25 kg require a Part 102 operator certificate or a specific approval from CASA PNG. These take time: plan them with the rest of your permits.
Airstrips everywhere
In a country where so many communities depend on small planes, grass airstrips are everywhere, including in places that look completely remote. We check the nearest strips and flight schedules before every aerial session.
Landowners first
Around 97% of the land is owned by clans and families. A civil aviation rule does not replace their agreement. Many villagers have never seen a drone: we explain the flight before take-off, show the images afterwards when we can, and never fly over a sacred site without permission.
Source: CASA PNG, Civil Aviation Rule Part 101, amendment 2 (2020). Rules change: check with us before you travel. See also our full guide to filming permits.
Aerial shots in your plan?
Tell us where you want to fly — we check the rules, the airstrips and the landowners.