Fines Could Range To Over $21,000

Mexico is poised to institute new drone laws that will carry hefty fines for flying a drone without a license.

The Mazatlan Post reports that under current rules infractions are considered civil matters. Luis Salazar, an official for the city of Amacuzac, said that Mexico's current drone regulations follow those established by the ICAO. Salazar said in an interview with Notimex that there is already a requirement to license drones, and that local drone regulations must be modified by December when fines will be put into effect.

Those fines could be high. Once the new regulations are published in the Official Gazette of the Federation, flying a drone without a license could cost the operator 403,000 pesos, or about $21,237.50 U.S.

Salazar said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation puts drone pilots in the same category as the pilots of manned aircraft because they occupy the same airspace. But, he said, it is not clear whether aircraft weighing under 250 grams will require a license to operate.

To obtain a drone pilot license in Mexico, the applicant must be 18 years old; Mexican by birth; take a flight course from a certified school; have a military release card; have completed high school, and; be in good health.

(Image from file)

FMI: Source report