Buying a drone is the easy part. Knowing which South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) rules apply to it lets you fly with confidence from day one. If you are looking at agricultural drones for your farm, the first question is whether your flights count as private or commercial use.
By the end of this article, you will know:
- How Part 101 defines private use
- Where crop monitoring and spraying fit
- What the commercial pathway involves
- Which drone suits each category
At Afri Air, we supply DJI agricultural drones to farmers across South Africa, so these questions reach us every week.
How Part 101 Defines Private Use
Part 101 of the Civil Aviation Regulations sets out two categories. Private use covers an individual’s personal and private purposes where there is no commercial outcome, interest or gain. Every other use falls under “all other use”, which has its own approval requirements.
The deciding factor is the purpose of the flight, not the size of the drone or who owns the land.
Where Crop Monitoring Fits
A family photo shoot on your farm is private. Flying a multispectral drone to check crop health is different, because the results shape decisions about yield, inputs and income. That is a commercial interest, so we recommend planning for the “all other use” pathway.
Spraying is clearer still. SACAA’s private-operation limits exclude releasing or dispensing any substance from a drone and cap private drones at 7 kg. Agricultural spray drones sit well above that limit and always fall under commercial requirements.
| Private use | All other use | |
| Purpose | Personal, no commercial gain | Anything with commercial interest |
| SACAA registration | Not listed as required | Required before use |
| RPA Letter of Authority (RLA) | Not required | Required |
| Pilot licence | Not required | RPA Pilot Licence required |
Rules That Apply to Every Private Flight
Even private flying has clear boundaries. Under Part 101, the pilot must:
- Fly only over property they own or have permission to use
- Stay within 500 m of the pilot, keeping direct, unaided visual contact
- Keep 50 m or more from any person or group of people, such as sports fields, schools, social events or public roads
- Avoid manned aircraft, controlled, restricted and prohibited airspace, and areas within 10 km of an aerodrome, unless SACAA approves
- Stay clear of prisons, police stations, courts, national key points and strategic installations
- Observe all laws on liability and privacy
The Commercial Pathway, Step by Step
If your farm flights fall under “all other use”, the path is straightforward:
- Register your drone with SACAA before use.
- Obtain an RPA Letter of Authority (RLA) approving the drone for your use.
- Hold an RPA Pilot Licence. Training is done through a SACAA-approved organisation, and our farm drone licensing guide explains how we help you connect with approved schools.
- Operate under Part 101. SACAA also lists an operating certificate (UASOC) for commercial operations, so confirm the current requirements for your situation.
Starting this process early means your paperwork can move in step with your equipment.
DJI MAVIC 3 ENT M
The Mavic 3M is a compact drone with five cameras; a 4/3 CMOS 20MP RGB camera and four 5MP multispectral cameras (green, red, red edge, and near-infrared). With its 0.7s mechanical shutter speed and 43-minute flight time, you can confidently complete a 200-hectare mapping mission in a single flight.
Flighthub
When you purchase a Mavic 3 Enterprise drone, you also get access to Flighthub. This is DJIโs cloud-based system that helps you manage your drones (fleet management) and see what theyโre doing in real-time. Itโs especially helpful for businesses, security teams, or farms that use multiple drones or need to coordinate large-scale operations. Flighthub makes it easier to keep track of everything from one place.
Matching Your Drone to Your Category
- Crop monitoring: The DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral pairs an RGB camera with four multispectral cameras and RTK positioning for detailed crop analysis. On a working farm, plan for the commercial pathway.
- Spraying and spreading: The DJI Agras T70P offers a 70 L spray tank, a 100 L spreader and 65 kg lift capability for medium to large fields. It is a commercial-category aircraft.
Every agricultural drone purchase from Afri Air includes our pilot training course, including group sessions for farm teams.
DJI AGRAS T70P
The DJI Agras T70P is a versatile agricultural drone built for spraying, spreading, and lifting with maximum efficiency on medium to large fields. With a 70 L spray tank, 100 L spreader, 65 kg lift capability, advanced Safety System 3.0 obstacle sensing, fast operation speeds, and robust transmission, it delivers powerful performance and safer autonomous field coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fly a drone privately on my own farm?
Yes, if the flight has no commercial outcome, interest or gain and stays within the private-use limits above.
Does a small drone avoid commercial requirements?
No. Purpose decides the category. Private operations are also limited to lighter drones, under 7 kg.
Do I need permission to fly over a neighbour’s land?
Yes. Part 101 allows flights only over property you own or have permission to use.
How far can I fly from my position?
Private flights must stay within 500 m of the pilot, with direct, unaided visual contact throughout.
Where can I read the complete regulations?
SACAA publishes them on its Unmanned Aircraft Systems page.
This article is general guidance, not legal advice. Please confirm your specific situation with SACAA.
Fly Compliant and Confident with Afri Air
Knowing your category before you buy means no surprises later, and it lets you focus on what the drone does for your farm. Our team can help you choose the right DJI drone and guide you toward licensed, compliant operation.
Contact Afri Air today to talk through your farm’s needs.
