Navigating Ecuadorian Skies: An Expert Legal Guide to Drone Operations

As a resident or prospective expatriate in Ecuador, the temptation to capture the nation's stunning landscapes with a drone is powerful. However, Ecuadorian airspace is a strictly regulated environment. Operating a drone, or Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS), without adhering to the legal framework can lead to significant penalties, including fines and confiscation of your equipment. This guide provides an authoritative, detailed breakdown of the regulations, processes, and common pitfalls to ensure your flights are safe, legal, and compliant.

The Regulatory Authority: Understanding the DGAC

In Ecuador, all civil aviation, including the operation of RPAS, falls under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Dirección General de Aviación Civil (DGAC). This entity, part of the Ministry of Transportation and Public Works (Ministerio de Transporte y Obras Públicas), is responsible for creating, implementing, and enforcing all aviation regulations. Any legal operation of a drone begins and ends with compliance with DGAC mandates.

The Cornerstone of Drone Law: The Current Regulation

While older regulations existed, the primary legal instrument currently governing drone operations is Resolución Nro. DGAC-DGAC-2020-0023-R, issued on February 11, 2020. This comprehensive resolution updated and replaced previous norms, establishing the current requirements for registration, certification, and operation of RPAS in Ecuadorian territory. Citing this resolution is critical in any formal communication or legal context.

The core tenets of this resolution are:

Mandatory Registration: All drones, regardless of weight or use (recreational or commercial), must be registered with the DGAC before their first flight. There is no longer a weight-based exemption for registration.
Operator Certification: Depending on the operational risk, which considers factors like drone weight and flight location, the operator may be required to obtain an RPAS Operator Certificate from the DGAC. This is almost always required for commercial operations.
Operational Limitations: Strict rules govern where, when, and how you can fly. These include geofencing near sensitive sites, altitude ceilings, and visual line-of-sight requirements.
Liability and Insurance: For commercial operations or flights deemed higher risk, proof of a valid liability insurance policy (póliza de seguro de responsabilidad civil) is mandatory. The required coverage amount is specified by the DGAC based on the operation's scope.
Privacy and Data Protection: Beyond aviation law, drone operators are bound by Ecuador's Ley Orgánica de Protección de Datos Personales. Specifically, Artículo 23 on the "Right to one's own image" (Derecho a la Imagen) makes it illegal to capture and use images of identifiable individuals without their explicit consent.

The Official Process: Registering Your Drone with the DGAC

The registration process is now managed online and requires careful preparation. Here is the precise, step-by-step procedure:

**Step 1: Obtain a Firma Electrónica (Electronic Signature)**

Hyper-Specific Detail: A common, non-obvious hurdle for expats is that most high-level online government procedures in Ecuador, including drone registration, require a firma electrónica. This is a digital signature file stored on a secure token or in the cloud. You must purchase this from an accredited entity like the Registro Civil or Security Data. The process can take a few days and costs approximately $30-$50 for a two-year validity. Attempting the process without one will bring you to a halt.

Step 2: Create an Account on the SISAC Portal

The DGAC manages all registrations and certifications through its online portal: SISAC (Sistema de Información y Servicio de la Aviación Civil). You must create a user account here before you can submit any application.

Step 3: Gather and Digitize Required Documentation

You will need high-quality digital scans (PDF format) of the following:

Proof of Ownership: The purchase invoice (factura) in your name. If you bought it second-hand, you'll need a notarized sales agreement (contrato de compra-venta).
Drone Details: A clear photo of the drone’s serial number plate.
Personal Identification: A color scan of your Ecuadorian Cédula (for residents) or passport (for tourists).
Technical Specifications: The drone's user manual, which must detail its Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW).
Liability Insurance Policy (If applicable): The certificate of your póliza de seguro.

Step 4: Complete the Online Application and Pay Fees

Log into SISAC, navigate to the RPAS registration section, and meticulously fill out the electronic forms.
Upload all required documents.
The system will generate a payment order (orden de pago). Hyper-Specific Detail: As of 2024, the registration fee for a typical recreational drone (like a DJI Mavic) is approximately $65 USD. This fee is non-refundable and must be paid through an authorized bank (e.g., Banco Pichincha, Banco del Pacífico) using the code from the payment order.

Step 5: Await Approval and Receive Your Certificate

The DGAC will review your submission. If there are errors, they will notify you through the SISAC portal.
Upon approval, you will be issued a digital Certificado de Matrícula de RPAS, which serves as your drone's official registration. You must have a digital or physical copy of this certificate with you during all flights.

Operational Rules: Flying Legally and Responsibly

Possessing a registration certificate is only the first step. Strict adherence to the following operational rules is mandatory:

Altitude Limit: Do not fly above 122 meters (400 feet) above ground level (AGL).
Visual Line of Sight (VLOS): You must maintain direct, unaided visual contact with your drone at all times. Flying solely by reference to a screen (First Person View/FPV) is not considered VLOS.
Prohibited Zones (No-Fly Zones):
- Airports: Stay at least 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) away from any airport or aerodrome.
- Sensitive Infrastructure: It is strictly forbidden to fly over military bases, prisons, strategic government buildings (like the Carondelet Palace), oil refineries, and hydroelectric dams.
- Emergency Situations: Never fly near active police operations, firefighting efforts, or accident scenes.
- Crowds: Do not fly over groups of people, concerts, sporting events, or public demonstrations.
Night Flying: Prohibited unless you have obtained specific, written authorization from the DGAC for a special operation.
Respect for Property and Privacy: Do not fly over private property without the owner's explicit permission. As stated, filming people without consent is a violation of the Data Protection Law.

Critical Expat Pitfalls and Hyper-Local Warnings

The Galapagos Trap: Hyper-Specific Detail: Tourists and residents often assume they can bring a drone to the Galapagos. This is a critical mistake. Flying a drone within the Galapagos National Park is almost completely forbidden and is enforced with zero tolerance. Only pre-approved scientific research or major media productions with a special permit from the Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD) are allowed. Unauthorized operation will result in immediate confiscation and severe fines. The DGAC registration does not grant you permission to fly here.
Cuenca's Historic Center: Hyper-Specific Detail: Flying a drone within Cuenca's UNESCO World Heritage historic center (El Centro Histórico) is highly restricted. It is considered a "sensitive area" due to the risk to historic structures and public safety. To fly here legally, you need a permit not only from the DGAC but also a separate authorization from the municipal government's Directorate of Historic and Patrimonial Areas (Dirección de Áreas Históricas y Patrimoniales). Simply taking off in Parque Calderón is illegal and will attract unwanted attention from the Guardia Ciudadana.
Importing vs. Bringing: Bringing a single drone in your luggage as a tourist is usually straightforward. However, importing multiple drones or high-value equipment can trigger a complex customs process with SENAE (Ecuador's customs service), requiring a customs agent and payment of significant import duties and taxes.

⚠️ When to Hire an Ecuadorian Attorney

While the registration process for a single recreational drone can be managed personally, you must seek professional legal counsel if:

You plan any commercial drone operation (real estate, agriculture, surveying, cinematography).
Your operation requires waivers or special authorizations (e.g., flying at night, flying Beyond Visual Line of Sight - BVLOS).
You receive any official notice of violation (notificación) from the DGAC or a privacy complaint from an individual.
You are involved in an accident that causes property damage or injury.
You are establishing a business that involves importing and selling drones in Ecuador.

The legal landscape for drone operation in Ecuador is well-defined but unforgiving of non-compliance. By following the precise registration process through SISAC, respecting the stringent operational rules, and being aware of hyper-local restrictions, you can safely and legally capture the unparalleled beauty of Ecuador from above.