Updated August 5, 2026
General Civil Aviation Authority
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is the UAE's federal aviation regulator. Recreational and commercial drone operations are governed by CAR-UAR (Unmanned Aircraft Recreational Flights), Issue 04 (September 2025). All drones must be registered via the UAE Drones platform (drones.gov.ae), and pilots must obtain training from a GCAA-accredited organisation.
Overview
Full name
General Civil Aviation Authority
Type
Government Agency
Jurisdiction
AE
Notable Facts
Important information about drone regulations
All UAS must be registered via UAE Drones platform regardless of weight
MOIAT Letter of Conformity required before registration
GCAA-accredited training certificate required before flying
Dubai operations also require separate DCAA permits
Unit Systems
Measurement units used in this regulator's jurisdiction
Weight
Kilograms (kg)
Distance
metric
Altitude
Meters (m)
Speed
Kilometers per hour (km/h)
Official Resources
About this regulatory authority
Country
AE
Region
National
Type
Government Agency
Updated
8/5/2026
Last updated: August 5, 2026