Asia
Philippines
CAAP — Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations, Part 11
The CAAP framework is weight-based: below 250 g no obligation, above 7kg registration and a licence are mandatory even for hobbyists. In 2026 CAAP is introducing GPS logging and electronic tagging for registered drones.
400 feet AGL; above that a Special Flight Permit is required.
Sources diverge slightly on the exact threshold for recreational use (between 250 g and 7kg): check case by case.
RPA Controller Certificate required for commercial use or RPAS over 7kg, via a course at a CAAP-approved body.
Mandatory for commercial operations; not required for recreational use under 7kg.
Zones to avoid
No-fly zones usually follow the same recurring categories (airports, military sites, protected areas, historic centers). For this country: Airport buffer widened to 10km after drone sightings near Manila airport; minimum distance 30 m from uninvolved people.
What isn't 100% confirmed yet
The exact registration threshold for recreational use has conflicting secondary sources (250 g vs 7kg).
Verify officially before flying
Source: Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)
Last checked: 2026-08
Go deeper
Why registration exists
Here the threshold usually depends on the drone's weight or whether it has a camera: below a certain weight, often 250 g, many systems don't require registration for recreational use. Check the note above and the official source to see whether your specific drone falls under the requirement. For Philippines, the official reference remains Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). Sources diverge slightly on the exact threshold for recreational use (between 250 g and 7kg): check case by case.
How this usually works
Here the requirement depends on factors like the drone's weight, distance from people, or use case (recreational vs. commercial). The note above describes the most common case: if your situation is different, check the official source to see exactly which scenario applies to you before flying. The exam and certificate are handled by Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). RPA Controller Certificate required for commercial use or RPAS over 7kg, via a course at a CAAP-approved body.
Other countries in Asia
Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.