The Interim Regulations on the Flight Management of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles have been announced!

Index number: 000014349/2023-00030

Topic categories: Industry, Transportation/Aerospace, Aviation

Issuing agencies: State Council, Central Military Commission

Written on: May 31, 2023

Title: Interim Regulations on the Flight Management of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Document number: Guoling 761

Release date: June 28, 2023

No. 761

The Provisional Regulations on the Flight Management of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are hereby promulgated, which shall come into effect on January 1, 2024.

May 31, 2023

Interim Regulations on the Flight Management of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Chapter 1 General Provisions

Article 1: In order to regulate the flight of unmanned aerial vehicles and related activities, promote the healthy and orderly development of the unmanned aerial vehicle industry, maintain aviation safety, public safety, and national security, this regulation is formulated.

Article 2: Engaging in unmanned aerial vehicle flight and related activities within the territory of the People's Republic of China shall comply with these Regulations.

The unmanned aerial vehicle referred to in these regulations refers to an aircraft without an onboard pilot or a self-contained power system.

Unmanned aerial vehicles are classified according to performance indicators as micro, light, small, medium, and large.

Article 3: The flight management of unmanned aerial vehicles shall adhere to and strengthen the leadership of the Party, adhere to the overall national security concept, and adhere to the principles of safety first, service development, classified management, and collaborative supervision.

Article 4: The national air traffic management leadership agency shall unify the leadership of the national unmanned aerial vehicle flight management work, organize and coordinate the resolution of major issues in unmanned aerial vehicle management work.

The civil aviation, public security, industry and information technology, market supervision and management departments of the State Council are responsible for the management of unmanned aerial vehicles nationwide according to their respective responsibilities.

Local people's governments at or above the county level and their relevant departments shall be responsible for the management of unmanned aerial vehicles within their administrative regions in accordance with their respective responsibilities.

Air traffic management agencies at all levels are responsible for the flight management of unmanned aerial vehicles within their respective areas of responsibility according to their respective roles and responsibilities.

Article 5: The state encourages research and innovation in unmanned aerial vehicles and the promotion and application of their achievements, promoting the integration and innovation of unmanned aerial vehicles with new technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence. The people's governments at or above the county level and their relevant departments shall provide support for the scientific research and innovation of unmanned aerial vehicles and the promotion and application of their achievements.

The country actively innovates the mechanism of airspace supply and use while ensuring safety, and improves the supporting infrastructure and service system for unmanned aerial vehicle flight.

Article 6: Industry associations related to unmanned aerial vehicles shall strengthen industry self-discipline through the formulation and implementation of group standards, promote laws, regulations, and relevant knowledge on unmanned aerial vehicle management, and enhance the awareness of relevant units and personnel to carry out unmanned aerial vehicle flights and related activities in accordance with the law.

Chapter 2 Management of Civil Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Operators

Article 7: The standardization administrative department of the State Council and other relevant departments of the State Council shall organize the formulation of national and industry standards for the design, production, and use of civil unmanned aerial vehicle systems in accordance with their respective responsibilities.

Article 8: Those engaged in the design, production, import, flight, and maintenance activities of medium and large civil unmanned aerial vehicle systems shall apply for airworthiness permits from the competent civil aviation authority under the State Council in accordance with the law.

Engaging in the design, production, import, flight, maintenance, assembly, and assembly of micro, light, and small civil unmanned aerial vehicle systems does not require an airworthiness license, but the relevant products should comply with the relevant provisions of product quality laws and regulations as well as mandatory national standards.

The design, production, and use of civil unmanned aerial vehicle systems shall comply with relevant national regulations on real name registration activation, flight area restrictions, emergency response, network information security, and take effective measures to reduce atmospheric pollutants and noise emissions.

Article 9: Producers of civil unmanned aerial vehicle systems shall set a unique product identification code for their unmanned aerial vehicles in accordance with the regulations of the competent department of industry and information technology of the State Council.

Producers of micro, light, and small civil unmanned aerial vehicle systems shall label the product type and unique product identification code on the body of the unmanned aerial vehicle, and prominently display legal operating requirements and risk warnings on the outer packaging of the product.

Article 10: Owners of civil unmanned aerial vehicles shall register their real names in accordance with the law, and specific measures shall be formulated by the competent civil aviation authority under the State Council in conjunction with relevant departments.

Civil unmanned aerial vehicles involved in overseas flights shall be registered for nationality in accordance with the law.

Article 11: Units that use civil unmanned aerial vehicles other than micro unmanned aerial vehicles for flight activities shall meet the following conditions and apply to the competent civil aviation authority of the State Council or the regional civil aviation management agency (hereinafter referred to as the civil aviation management department) for the Civil Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operation Certificate (hereinafter referred to as the Operation Certificate):

（1） There are management institutions, personnel, and operators who meet the requirements of this regulation for implementing safe operations;

（2） There are unmanned aerial vehicles and related facilities and equipment that meet the requirements for safe operation;

（3） There are management systems and operating procedures required for implementing safe operations, ensuring the continuous ability to implement safe operations in accordance with the systems and procedures;

（4） Units engaged in commercial activities should also be profit-making legal persons.

After receiving the application, the civil aviation management department shall conduct an operational safety assessment and make a decision on whether to grant or deny permission in accordance with the law based on the assessment results. For those granted permission, an operational qualification certificate shall be issued; If permission is not granted, the applicant shall be notified in writing and the reasons shall be explained.

Using agricultural unmanned aerial vehicles with a maximum takeoff weight of no more than 150 kilograms to engage in agricultural, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery operations in the suitable airspace above the agricultural, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery areas (hereinafter referred to as conventional agricultural unmanned aerial vehicle operations) does not require obtaining an operational qualification certificate.

After obtaining the operation qualification certificate, engaging in commercial general aviation flight activities, as well as conducting routine agricultural unmanned aerial vehicle operation flight activities, does not require obtaining a general aviation operation license and operation qualification certificate.

Article 12: The use of civil unmanned aerial vehicles for commercial flight activities, as well as the use of small, medium, and large civil unmanned aerial vehicles for non-commercial flight activities, shall be insured for liability insurance in accordance with the law.

Article 13: If defects are found in micro, light, or small civil unmanned aerial vehicle systems after they are put on the market, their producers and importers shall stop production and sales, recall defective products, and notify relevant operators and users to stop sales and use. Producers and importers who fail to carry out recalls in accordance with the law shall be ordered to recall by the market supervision and administration department of the State Council in accordance with the law.

If the system of medium and large civil unmanned aerial vehicles cannot be continuously in airworthiness state, it shall be handled by the competent civil aviation authority of the State Council in accordance with relevant airworthiness management regulations.

Article 14: If significant design changes are made to a civil unmanned aerial vehicle system that has already obtained an airworthiness license and is intended to be used for flight activities, a new application for airworthiness license shall be made.

The modification of micro, light, and small civil unmanned aerial vehicle systems shall comply with relevant mandatory national standards. If the airspace maintenance capability, reliable monitoring capability, speed or altitude, and other factory performance and parameters of the civil unmanned aerial vehicle system change, the owner shall promptly update the performance and parameter information on the unmanned aerial vehicle integrated comprehensive supervision service platform.

The modification of civil unmanned aerial vehicles shall comply with the management regulations of the category to which the modified aircraft belongs.

Article 15: The production, maintenance, and use of civil unmanned aerial vehicle systems shall comply with radio management laws, regulations, and relevant national provisions. However, if the civil unmanned aerial vehicle system uses specific radio frequencies determined by the national radio management agency, and the relevant radio transmission equipment has obtained radio transmission equipment model approval, there is no need to obtain a radio frequency usage license and a radio station license.

Article 16: Personnel operating small, medium, and large civil unmanned aerial vehicles shall meet the following conditions and apply to the competent civil aviation authority under the State Council for the corresponding civil unmanned aerial vehicle operator (hereinafter referred to as the operator) license:

（1） Having full capacity for civil conduct;

（2） Accept safety control training and pass the assessment of the civil aviation management department;

（3） No medical history of diseases that may affect the operation behavior of civil unmanned aerial vehicles, and no record of drug use behavior;

（4） There is no record of criminal punishment for intentional crimes that endanger national security, public safety, infringe on citizens' personal rights, or disrupt public order in the past 5 years.

Personnel engaged in routine agricultural unmanned aerial vehicle operation and flight activities do not need to obtain a pilot license, but they should be trained and assessed by the agricultural unmanned aerial vehicle system manufacturer in accordance with the regulations of the competent departments of civil aviation and agriculture and rural areas under the State Council, and obtain an operation certificate after passing the examination.

Article 17: Personnel operating micro and light civil unmanned aerial vehicles do not need to obtain an operator's license, but should be proficient in the relevant aircraft operation methods, understand risk warning information, and relevant management systems.

Individuals without civil capacity can only operate micro civil unmanned aerial vehicles, while individuals with limited civil capacity can only operate micro and light civil unmanned aerial vehicles. A person without civil capacity operating a micro civil unmanned aerial vehicle or a person with limited civil capacity operating a light civil unmanned aerial vehicle shall be guided on-site by a person with full civil capacity who meets the conditions specified in the preceding paragraph.

The personnel who operate light civil unmanned aerial vehicles in unmanned aerial vehicle controlled airspace shall have full civil capacity and be trained and qualified in accordance with the regulations of the competent civil aviation authority under the State Council.

Chapter 3 Airspace and Flight Activity Management

Article 18: The establishment of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight airspace shall follow the principles of overall planning, safety and efficiency, with a focus on isolated flights, taking into account the needs of integrated flights, and fully considering flight safety and public interests.

The establishment of unmanned aerial vehicle flight airspace should clearly define the horizontal and vertical ranges and usage time.

Air traffic management agencies should prioritize the allocation of airspace for unmanned aerial vehicles to carry out military, police, customs, and emergency management flight tasks.

Article 19: The state shall designate unmanned aerial vehicle controlled airspace (hereinafter referred to as controlled airspace) as needed.

Airspace above a true height of 120 meters, restricted areas, and surrounding airspace, military aviation ultra-low altitude flight airspace, and airspace above the following areas should be designated as controlled airspace:

（1） Airports and surrounding areas within a certain range;

（2） The area within a certain range towards our side of the national boundary line, actual control line, and border line;

（3） Confidential units such as military restricted zones, military management zones, regulatory sites, and surrounding areas within a certain range;

（4） Important military facility protection areas, nuclear facility control areas, production and storage areas for flammable and explosive dangerous goods, as well as large-scale storage areas for flammable and important materials;

（5） Power plants, substations, refueling (gas) stations, water supply plants, public transportation hubs, navigation and power hubs, major water conservancy facilities, ports, highways, electrified railway lines and other public infrastructure, as well as surrounding areas and drinking water source protection zones;

（6） Facilities that require special electromagnetic environment protection, such as radio observatories, satellite tracking (navigation) stations, aviation radio navigation stations, radar stations, and surrounding areas within a certain range;

（7） Important revolutionary memorial sites, important immovable cultural relics, and surrounding areas within a certain range;

（8） Other areas designated by the national air traffic management leadership agency.

The specific scope of controlled airspace is determined by the air traffic management agencies at all levels in accordance with the regulations of the national air traffic management leadership agency, announced by the people's governments at or above the city level with districts, and the civil aviation management departments and units responsible for corresponding duties release navigation information.

Without the approval of the air traffic management agency, unmanned aerial vehicle flight activities shall not be carried out in the controlled airspace.

The airspace outside the controlled airspace is the suitable flight airspace for micro, light, and small unmanned aerial vehicles (hereinafter referred to as the suitable flight airspace).

Article 20: In case of special circumstances, the controlled airspace may be temporarily increased, and the air traffic management agency shall determine the horizontal and vertical scope and usage time of the relevant airspace in accordance with relevant national regulations.

To ensure the safety of major national events and other large-scale events, the local people's governments at or above the city level with districts shall issue a notice 24 hours before the temporary increase in controlled airspace takes effect, and the civil aviation management departments and units responsible for corresponding duties shall release navigation information.

To ensure the execution of military tasks or other emergency tasks such as counter-terrorism, stability maintenance, disaster relief, medical rescue, etc., emergency announcements shall be issued by the local people's governments at or above the prefecture level 30 minutes before the temporary increase in controlled airspace takes effect, and the civil aviation management departments and units responsible for corresponding duties shall release navigation information.

Article 21: If it is necessary to set up ground warning signs for controlled airspace in accordance with the regulations of the national air traffic management leadership agency, the people's government of the prefecture level city shall organize and strengthen daily inspections.

Article 22: Unmanned aerial vehicles should usually fly separately from manned aircraft.

Under any of the following circumstances, fusion flight can be conducted with the approval of the air traffic management agency:

（1） According to the needs of tasks or flight courses, unmanned aerial vehicles under the jurisdiction of police, customs, and emergency management departments fly in the same airspace or airport area as manned aircraft used by their own departments or units;

（2） The flight of large unmanned aerial vehicles that have obtained airworthiness permits;

（3） Flight of medium-sized unmanned aerial vehicles with airworthiness permits not exceeding a true height of 300 meters;

（4） The flight of small unmanned aerial vehicles does not exceed a true height of 300 meters;

（5） Light unmanned aerial vehicles can fly within a true height of no more than 300 meters above the suitable airspace.

Under any of the following circumstances, fusion flight does not require approval from the air traffic management agency:

（1） Flight of micro and light unmanned aerial vehicles in suitable airspace;

（2） Conventional agricultural unmanned aerial vehicle operation flight activities.

Article 23: The national air traffic management leadership agency shall coordinate the construction of an integrated comprehensive supervision and service platform for unmanned aerial vehicles, and implement dynamic supervision and services for unmanned aerial vehicles nationwide.

Air traffic management agencies, civil aviation, public security, industry, and information technology departments and units shall collect relevant information on the production, registration, and use of unmanned aerial vehicles in accordance with their respective responsibilities, share it through the integrated supervision and service platform for unmanned aerial vehicles, and take corresponding measures to ensure information security.

Article 24: Except for micro unmanned aerial vehicles, when conducting flight activities, the operators shall ensure that the unmanned aerial vehicles can submit identification information to the unmanned aerial vehicle integrated comprehensive supervision service platform in accordance with relevant national regulations.

Micro, light, and small unmanned aerial vehicles should automatically broadcast identification information during flight.

Article 25: Units or individuals organizing unmanned aerial vehicle flight activities shall comply with relevant laws, regulations, and rules, take proactive measures to prevent accidents, and bear the main responsibility for flight safety.

Article 26: Except as otherwise provided in Article 31 of these Regulations, units or individuals organizing unmanned aerial vehicle flight activities shall submit flight activity applications to the air traffic management agency before 12:00 pm on the day before the intended flight. The air traffic management agency shall make a decision on approval or disapproval before 21:00 on the first day before the flight.

According to the regulations of the national air traffic management leadership agency, those who carry out regular flight activities in fixed airspace can apply for long-term flight activities, which will be implemented after approval. The flight plan should be submitted to the air traffic management agency for filing before 12:00 pm on the day before the planned flight.

Article 27: The application for unmanned aerial vehicle flight activities shall include the following contents:

（1） Information on units or individuals organizing flight activities, operators, and relevant qualification certificates;

（2） Types, quantities, main performance indicators, and registration management information of unmanned aerial vehicles;

（3） The nature and mode of flight of the flight mission, as well as the special general aviation flight mission specified by the state, shall also provide valid mission approval documents;

（4） Takeoff, landing, and alternate airports (venues);

（5） Communication and contact methods;

（6） Expected start and end times of the flight;

（7） Flight route, altitude, speed, and airspace range, as well as methods for entering and exiting airspace;

（8） Command and control link radio frequency and occupied bandwidth;

（9） Communication, navigation, and surveillance capabilities;

（10） For the installation of secondary radar responders or related automatic monitoring equipment, the code application should be indicated;

（11） Emergency response procedures;

（12） Special flight support requirements;

（13） Other necessary information related to airspace use and flight safety as stipulated by the national air traffic management leadership agency.

Article 28: Applications for unmanned aerial vehicle flight activities shall be approved in accordance with the following authorities:

（1） Those flying within the flight control zone shall be approved by the air traffic management agency responsible for that zone;

（2） If flying beyond the flight control zone within the flight control zone, approval shall be obtained from the air traffic management agency responsible for the flight control zone;

（3） Flying beyond the flight control zone shall be approved by the air traffic management agency authorized by the national air traffic management leadership agency.

Article 29: Those who use unmanned aerial vehicles to carry out emergency tasks such as counter-terrorism, stability maintenance, disaster relief, medical rescue, etc. shall submit a flight activity application to the air traffic management agency 30 minutes before the planned takeoff. The air traffic management agency shall make a decision on approval or disapproval 10 minutes before takeoff. For special emergency tasks, the user unit can submit a flight activity application at any time.

Article 30: Units or individuals who have obtained approval for flight activities and organize unmanned aerial vehicle flight activities shall report the expected takeoff time and preparation to the air traffic management agency one hour before the planned takeoff, and can only take off after confirmation by the air traffic management agency.

Article 31: Organizing unmanned aerial vehicles to carry out the following flight activities does not require submitting a flight activity application to the air traffic management agency:

（1） Flight activities of micro, light, and small unmanned aerial vehicles within the suitable airspace;

（2） Conventional agricultural unmanned aerial vehicle operation flight activities;

（3） The flying activities of unmanned aerial vehicles under the jurisdiction of police, customs, and emergency management departments within airspace not exceeding 120 meters above their base, ground (water) training ground, shooting range, etc; However, it is necessary to obtain confirmation from the air traffic management agency one hour before the planned takeoff before taking off;

（4） Civil unmanned aerial vehicles perform flight tasks such as inspection, survey, and verification within the controlled area of civil transport airports; However, it is necessary to regularly report to the air traffic management agency for filing and obtain confirmation from the air traffic management agency one hour before the planned takeoff.

If any of the following situations exist in the flight activities specified in the preceding paragraph, an application for flight activities shall be submitted in accordance with Article 26 of these Regulations:

（1） Relay flight of unmanned aerial vehicles through communication base stations or the Internet;

（2） Carrying dangerous goods or releasing items (excluding regular agricultural unmanned aerial vehicle operations and flight activities);

（3） Flying over the gathering crowd;

（4） Operating unmanned aerial vehicles on mobile vehicles;

（5） Implement distributed operations or cluster flights.

Micro and light unmanned aerial vehicles flying in suitable airspace do not need to obtain special general aviation flight mission approval documents.

Article 32: When operating unmanned aerial vehicles for flight activities, the following behavioral norms shall be followed:

（1） Obtain relevant licenses and certificates in accordance with the law, and carry them with you for future reference during flight activities;

（2） Prepare for safe flight before implementing flight activities, check the status of unmanned aerial vehicles, and update electronic fences and other information in a timely manner;

（3） Real time monitoring of unmanned aerial vehicle flight dynamics, implementation of approved flight activities should maintain smooth communication with air traffic management agencies, obey air traffic management, and report promptly after the flight is completed;

（4） Maintain necessary safety intervals in accordance with the regulations of the national air traffic management leadership agency;

（5） Those who operate micro unmanned aerial vehicles should maintain flight within line of sight;

（6） Those who operate small unmanned aerial vehicles in suitable airspace shall comply with the regulations of the national air traffic management leadership agency on speed limits, communication, navigation, and other aspects;

（7） If flying at night or under low visibility weather conditions, the lighting system should be turned on and ensured to be in good working condition;

（8） For those who implement beyond visual range flight, they should grasp the flight dynamics of other aircraft in the flight airspace and take measures to avoid collisions;

（9） When under the influence of alcoholic beverages, anesthetics, or other drugs, it is not allowed to operate unmanned aerial vehicles;

（10） Other flight activity behavior norms stipulated by the national air traffic management leadership agency.

Article 33: When operating unmanned aerial vehicles for flight activities, the following avoidance rules shall be followed:

（1） Avoid manned aircraft, unpowered aircraft, and ground and water transportation vehicles;

（2） Single aircraft avoiding cluster flight;

（3） Micro unmanned aerial vehicles avoid other unmanned aerial vehicles;

（4） Other avoidance rules stipulated by the national air traffic management leadership agency.

Article 34: It is prohibited to use unmanned aerial vehicles to carry out the following acts:

（1） Illegally filming military facilities, military industrial facilities, or other classified locations;

（2） Disrupting the work order of government agencies, organizations, enterprises, institutions or public places;

（3） Obstructing state officials from carrying out their duties in accordance with the law;

（4） Placing promotional materials or other items containing content that violates laws and regulations;

（5） Endangering the safety of public facilities, units, or personal property;

（6） Endangering the life and health of others, illegally collecting information, or infringing on the personal rights and interests of others;

（7） Illegally obtaining or leaking state secrets, or illegally providing data information to foreign countries;

（8） Other behaviors prohibited by laws and regulations.

Article 35: Units that use civil unmanned aerial vehicles for surveying and mapping activities shall obtain surveying and mapping qualification certificates in accordance with the law before engaging in surveying and mapping activities.

Foreign unmanned aerial vehicles or unmanned aerial vehicles operated by foreign personnel may not conduct surveying, mapping, radio wave parameter testing and other flight activities in China.

Article 36: Model aircraft shall fly within the airspace designated by the air traffic management agency for aviation flight camps, except as otherwise provided by the national air traffic management leadership agency.

Chapter 4 Supervision and Management and Emergency Response

Article 37: The national air traffic management leadership agency shall organize relevant departments and units to publish information such as approval matters, application processing procedures, accepting units, contact information, and report acceptance methods to the public on the unmanned aerial vehicle integrated comprehensive supervision service platform, and update them in a timely manner.

Article 38: Any unit or individual who discovers a violation of the provisions of these Regulations may report it to the air traffic management agency, civil aviation management department, or local public security organs. The department or unit receiving the report shall promptly handle it in accordance with the law; If it does not fall within the responsibilities of this department or unit, it should be promptly transferred to the department or unit that has the authority to handle it.

Article 39: Air traffic management agencies, civil aviation management departments, and public security organs at or above the county level shall formulate emergency plans for the management of unmanned aerial vehicle flight safety, conduct regular drills, and improve emergency response capabilities.

Local people's governments at or above the county level shall incorporate the safety emergency management of unmanned aerial vehicles into the emergency management system for sudden incidents, and improve the emergency response mechanism for information exchange and collaborative cooperation.

The designers and producers of unmanned aerial vehicle systems shall ensure that unmanned aerial vehicles have emergency response functions such as emergency avoidance and landing, in order to avoid or mitigate damage to life and property in the event of accidents involving unmanned aerial vehicles.

Units or individuals using unmanned aerial vehicles shall formulate emergency response plans for flight situations in accordance with relevant regulations, implement risk prevention measures, and promptly eliminate safety hazards.

Article 40: When abnormal situations occur during the flight of unmanned aerial vehicles, the unit or individual organizing the flight activities shall promptly handle them and obey the instructions of the air traffic management agency; If a flight safety issue occurs, the unit or individual organizing the flight activity shall also report the relevant situation to the air traffic management agency within 24 hours after the unmanned aerial vehicle lands.

Article 41: In case of unknown situations in the air or illegal flights of unmanned aerial vehicles, public security organs may, when conditions are favorable, implement early disposal of low altitude targets and be responsible for on-site disposal of illegal flying unmanned aerial vehicles after landing. Military organs, public security organs, national security organs and other units shall organize verification and disposal according to their respective responsibilities, and other relevant departments such as civil aviation management shall cooperate.

Article 42: If unmanned aerial vehicles violate flight management regulations, disrupt public order, or endanger public safety, air traffic management agencies, civil aviation management departments, and public security organs may take necessary technical prevention and control measures, seize relevant items, order the suspension of flights, seal up illegal activity sites, and other emergency measures in accordance with the law.

Article 43: The military, police, and high-risk anti-terrorism key target management units authorized by the public security organs in accordance with relevant regulations of the national anti-terrorism work leadership institutions may be equipped with unmanned aerial vehicle countermeasures equipment in accordance with the law, and strictly control the installation and use under the guidance and supervision of the public security organs or relevant military organs.

The measures for the allocation, installation, use, and authorization management of countermeasures equipment for unmanned aerial vehicles shall be formulated by the industrial and information technology, public security, national security, and market supervision and management departments of the State Council in conjunction with relevant departments of the State Council and relevant military organs.

No unit or individual shall illegally possess or use unmanned aerial vehicle countermeasure equipment.

Chapter 5 Legal Liability

Article 44: Those who violate the provisions of these Regulations by engaging in the design, production, import, flight, and maintenance activities of medium and large civil unmanned aerial vehicle systems without obtaining airworthiness permits in accordance with the law shall be ordered by the civil aviation management department to cease relevant activities, have their illegal gains confiscated, and be fined not less than one time but not more than five times the value of the unmanned aerial vehicle system cargo; Those with serious circumstances shall be ordered to suspend business for rectification.

Article 45: If a producer of civil unmanned aerial vehicle systems violates the provisions of these Regulations by failing to set a unique product identification code for the unmanned aerial vehicles they produce in accordance with the regulations of the competent department of industry and information technology of the State Council, the competent department of industry and information technology of the people's government at or above the county level shall order correction, confiscate illegal gains, and impose a fine of not less than 30000 yuan but not more than 300000 yuan; Those who refuse to make corrections shall be ordered to suspend business for rectification.

Article 46: If a person violates the provisions of these Regulations by making significant design changes to a civil unmanned aerial vehicle system that has already obtained an airworthiness permit, and fails to reapply for an airworthiness permit and use it for flight activities, the civil aviation management department shall order correction and impose a fine of not less than one time but not more than five times the value of the unmanned aerial vehicle system cargo.

Those who violate the provisions of this regulation by changing the airspace maintenance capability, reliable surveillance capability, speed or altitude, and other factory performance and parameters of micro, light, and small civil unmanned aerial vehicle systems, and fail to update performance and parameter information on the unmanned aerial vehicle integrated comprehensive supervision service platform in a timely manner, shall be ordered to make corrections by the civil aviation management department; Those who refuse to make corrections shall be fined between 2000 yuan and 20000 yuan.

Article 47: If a civil unmanned aerial vehicle carries out flight activities without real name registration in violation of the provisions of these Regulations, the public security organ shall order it to rectify and may impose a fine of up to 200 yuan; For serious cases, a fine of not less than 2000 yuan but not more than 20000 yuan shall be imposed.

If a civil unmanned aerial vehicle involved in overseas flights violates the provisions of this regulation and fails to register its nationality in accordance with the law, the civil aviation management department shall order it to rectify and impose a fine of not less than 10000 yuan but not more than 100000 yuan.

Article 48: If a civil unmanned aerial vehicle violates the provisions of these Regulations by failing to purchase liability insurance in accordance with the law, the civil aviation management department shall order it to rectify and impose a fine of not less than 2000 yuan but not more than 20000 yuan; If the circumstances are serious, the unit engaged in flight activities shall be ordered to suspend operations for rectification until its operational qualification certificate is revoked.

Article 49: Those who violate the provisions of these Regulations by conducting flight activities without obtaining an operational qualification certificate or violating the requirements of the operational qualification certificate shall be ordered by the civil aviation management department to make corrections and fined not less than 50000 yuan but not more than 500000 yuan; For those with serious circumstances, they shall be ordered to suspend business for rectification until their operational qualification certificate is revoked.

Article 50: If a person without or with limited capacity for civil conduct violates the provisions of this Regulation by operating a civil unmanned aerial vehicle, the public security organ shall impose a fine of not less than 500 yuan but not more than 5000 yuan on their guardian; If the circumstances are serious, the unmanned aerial vehicles that violate the rules will be confiscated.

Those who violate the provisions of this regulation by operating civil unmanned aerial vehicles without obtaining a pilot license shall be fined not less than 5000 yuan but not more than 50000 yuan by the civil aviation management department; For serious cases, a fine of not less than 10000 yuan but not more than 100000 yuan shall be imposed.

Those who violate the provisions of this regulation by operating civil unmanned aerial vehicles beyond the scope specified in their pilot license shall be fined not less than 2000 yuan but not more than 20000 yuan by the civil aviation management department, and their pilot license shall be temporarily suspended for 6 to 12 months; If the circumstances are serious, their operator license will be revoked and their operator license application will not be accepted within 2 years.

Those who violate the provisions of this regulation and engage in routine agricultural unmanned aerial vehicle operation and flight activities without obtaining an operation certificate shall be ordered to stop the operation by the agricultural and rural competent department of the local people's government at or above the county level, and shall be fined not less than 1000 yuan but not more than 10000 yuan.

Article 51: If a unit or individual organizing flight activities violates the provisions of Articles 32 and 33 of these Regulations, the civil aviation management department shall order it to rectify and may impose a fine of up to 10000 yuan; For those who refuse to make corrections, a fine of not less than 10000 yuan but not more than 50000 yuan shall be imposed, and the operation qualification certificate and operator license shall be temporarily suspended for one to three months; If the circumstances are serious, the air traffic management agency shall order the suspension of flights for 6 to 12 months, and the civil aviation management department shall impose a fine of not less than 50000 yuan but not more than 100000 yuan, and may revoke the corresponding license certificate. The corresponding license application shall not be accepted within 2 years.

Those who violate the provisions of this regulation by operating micro, light, or small civil unmanned aerial vehicles in controlled airspace without approval, or operating model aircraft outside the airspace designated by the air traffic management agency, shall be ordered by the public security organs to stop flying and may be fined up to 500 yuan; If the circumstances are serious, the unmanned aerial vehicles that violate the rules will be confiscated and fined between 1000 yuan and 10000 yuan.

Article 52: Those who violate the provisions of these Regulations by illegally possessing or using unmanned aerial vehicle countermeasure equipment shall be confiscated by the radio management agency and public security organs in accordance with their respective responsibilities, and may be fined up to 50000 yuan; For serious cases, a fine of no less than 50000 yuan and no more than 200000 yuan shall be imposed.

Article 53 If a foreign unmanned aerial vehicle or an unmanned aerial vehicle operated by a foreign person, in violation of the provisions of these Regulations, conducts surveying and mapping flight activities within the territory of China, the competent department of surveying and mapping geographic information of the people's government at or above the county level shall order it to stop the illegal act, confiscate the illegal income, surveying and mapping results and the unmanned aerial vehicle that conducts illegal flight, and impose a fine of not less than 100000 yuan but not more than 500000 yuan; If the circumstances are serious, a fine of not less than 500000 yuan but not more than 1 million yuan shall be imposed, and the public security organs and national security organs shall decide to leave the country within a specified time limit or be expelled according to their respective responsibilities.

Article 54: Those who produce, modify, assemble, assemble, sell, and recall micro, light, and small civil unmanned aerial vehicle systems in violation of relevant laws and regulations on product quality or standardization management shall be punished by the market supervision and management department of the people's government at or above the county level in accordance with the law.

Except for situations where obtaining a radio frequency usage license and a radio station license is not required according to Article 15 of these Regulations, the production, maintenance, and use of civil unmanned aerial vehicle systems that violate radio management laws, regulations, and relevant national provisions shall be punished by the radio management agency in accordance with the law.

If the flight activities of unmanned aerial vehicles violate the laws and regulations on the protection of military facilities, relevant laws and regulations shall be followed.

Article 55: If relevant departments, units, and their staff violate the provisions of these Regulations by abusing their power, neglecting their duties, engaging in favoritism and fraud, or committing other illegal acts in the management of unmanned aerial vehicle flights and related activities, they shall be punished in accordance with the law.

Article 56: If a violation of the provisions of these Regulations constitutes a violation of public security management, the public security organs shall impose public security management penalties in accordance with the law; If a crime is committed, criminal responsibility shall be pursued in accordance with the law; Those who cause personal, property or other damages shall bear civil liability in accordance with the law.

Chapter 6 Supplementary Provisions

Article 57: When conducting unmanned aerial vehicle flight activities in other airspace under the jurisdiction of China, relevant provisions of this Regulation shall be complied with.

This regulation does not apply to indoor flight of unmanned aerial vehicles.

Flight toys with self powered systems shall be subject to the relevant provisions of this Regulation, and specific measures shall be formulated by the competent department of industry and information technology of the State Council, relevant air traffic management agencies, in conjunction with the competent departments of public security and civil aviation of the State Council.

Article 58: For unmanned aerial vehicle flights and related activities not provided for in this Regulation, the Civil Aviation Law of the People's Republic of China, the Basic Rules of Flight of the People's Republic of China, the General Aviation Flight Control Regulations, as well as relevant laws and administrative regulations shall apply.

Article 59: If the State Council or the Central Military Commission has other regulations on the management of military unmanned aerial vehicles, those regulations shall apply.

The management measures for the airworthiness, registration, and control of unmanned aerial vehicles under the jurisdiction of police, customs, and emergency management departments shall be separately formulated by relevant departments of the State Council.

Article 60: The management measures for the classification, production, registration, control personnel, and aviation flight camps of model aircraft shall be formulated separately by the competent department of sports under the State Council in conjunction with relevant air traffic management agencies, and the competent departments of industry and information technology, public security, and civil aviation under the State Council.

Article 61: If civil unmanned aerial vehicles produced before the implementation of these Regulations cannot automatically submit identification information to the unmanned aerial vehicle integrated comprehensive supervision service platform in accordance with relevant national regulations, flight activities shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of these Regulations by submitting a flight activity application to the air traffic management agency, and can only be carried out after approval.

Article 62: The meanings of the following terms in these Regulations:

（1） Air traffic management agency refers to the organization responsible for air traffic management in the relevant responsible areas within the military and civil aviation management departments.

（2） Micro unmanned aerial vehicle refers to an unmanned aerial vehicle with an air weight of less than 0.25 kilograms, a maximum flight altitude of no more than 50 meters, a maximum level flight speed of no more than 40 kilometers per hour, radio transmission equipment that meets the requirements of low-power short-range technology, and can be manually intervened and controlled at any time throughout the entire process.

（3） Light unmanned aerial vehicle refers to an unmanned aerial vehicle with an air weight not exceeding 4 kilograms, a maximum takeoff weight not exceeding 7 kilograms, a maximum level flight speed not exceeding 100 kilometers per hour, and the ability to maintain airspace and be reliably monitored in accordance with airspace management requirements. It can be manually operated at any time throughout the entire process, but does not include micro unmanned aerial vehicles.

（4） A small unmanned aerial vehicle refers to an unmanned aerial vehicle with an empty weight not exceeding 15 kilograms and a maximum takeoff weight not exceeding 25 kilograms, which has the ability to maintain airspace and be reliably monitored in accordance with airspace management requirements, and can be manually intervened and controlled at any time throughout the entire process, but does not include micro and light unmanned aerial vehicles.

（5） Medium sized unmanned aerial vehicles refer to unmanned aerial vehicles with a maximum takeoff weight not exceeding 150 kilograms, but do not include micro, light, and small unmanned aerial vehicles.

（6） Large unmanned aerial vehicles refer to unmanned aerial vehicles with a maximum takeoff weight exceeding 150 kilograms.

（7） The unmanned aerial vehicle system refers to a system composed of unmanned aerial vehicles and their related remote control stations, mission payloads, and control links. Among them, the remote control station refers to the overall system composed of various control equipment (means) and related systems for remotely controlling unmanned aerial vehicles.

（8） Agricultural unmanned aerial vehicle refers to an unmanned aerial vehicle with a maximum flight altitude of no more than 30 meters, a maximum level flight speed of no more than 50 kilometers per hour, a maximum flight radius of no more than 2000 meters, and the ability to maintain airspace and be reliably monitored. It is specifically used for agricultural, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishing operations such as crop protection, sowing, and feeding, and can be manually intervened and controlled at any time throughout the entire process.

（9） Isolation flight refers to the flight of unmanned aerial vehicles and manned aircraft in the same airspace at different times.

（10） Fusion flight refers to the simultaneous flight of unmanned aerial vehicles and manned aircraft in the same airspace.

（11） Distributed operation refers to the mode of decomposing the operation of unmanned aerial vehicle systems into multiple sub businesses and deploying them at multiple sites or terminals for collaborative operation.

（12） Cluster refers to the operation mode of unmanned aerial vehicles that use the same system or platform with the ability to control multiple unmanned aerial vehicles. In order to handle the same task, it is characterized by the interconnection and collaborative processing of control data among various unmanned aerial vehicles. Multiple unmanned aerial vehicles are operated in parallel at the same time in a relatively physically centralized manner for flight.

（13） Model aircrafts, also known as aviation models, refer to unmanned aerial vehicles with size and weight constraints, which cannot carry people, and which do not have altitude maintenance and position maintenance flight functions, including free flight, control by wire, manual and uninterrupted remote control within direct visual sight range, and model aircrafts with uninterrupted manual remote control by means of the first view angle.

（14） Unmanned aerial vehicle countermeasure equipment refers to devices specifically designed to prevent and control illegal flights of unmanned aerial vehicles, with functions such as interference, interception, capture, and destruction.

（15） Airspace maintenance capability refers to the ability to control the altitude and horizontal range of unmanned aerial vehicles through technical measures such as electronic fences.

Article 63: This regulation shall come into effect on January 1, 2024.