Azerbaijan Establishes Comprehensive Requirements for the Operation of Autonomous Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Amendments to the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Aviation are aimed at establishing a legal framework for the regulation of technologies related to autonomous unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The primary objective of the amendments is to define the legal status of autonomous UAS intended for civil and experimental use, clarify the operational requirements governing their operation, and establish national legal requirements to ensure the safety of flight operations.
For the first time, the legislation defines the terms “autonomous unmanned aircraft system,” “operator of an autonomous unmanned aircraft system,” and “remote operations center.” This provides a legal basis for regulating emerging legal relationships arising from the development of autonomous unmanned aviation technologies.
Another key innovation is the introduction of different levels of automation for UAS. Under the adopted approach, at the high automation level, flight control, environmental monitoring, and decision-making are performed by the system, while the operator retains overall supervision and responsibility. At the full automation level, all operational processes, including backup control functions, are carried out by the system without human intervention. This approach represents an important step toward establishing the legal framework for the application of artificial intelligence technologies in aviation.
For the first time, the law establishes a comprehensive set of requirements governing the operation of UAS. Under the new provisions, such systems may be operated only with a valid registration certificate and either an operator certificate or an operational authorization.
The amendments also clearly define the rights and responsibilities of operators. Operators will be required to oversee the operation of automated control systems, retain records relating to operations for a minimum of six months, and ensure the security and integrity of such records.
In addition, the amendments introduce new mechanisms to ensure flight safety and coordinate the use of airspace. Flights involving UAS will be permitted only within designated geographical areas and subject to authorization from the Flight Management and Coordination Center.
Furthermore, operators intending to conduct operations within controlled airspace will be required to submit the necessary information electronically to the competent center at least three hours before the flight. The required information must include the registration certificate number, the scheduled start and end times of the flight, details of the planned operation, and a copy of the operator certificate or operational authorization.
Overall, the amendments will strengthen safety, accountability, and oversight mechanisms in the field of autonomous unmanned aviation while fostering an enabling legal environment for the deployment of innovative technologies. They will also support Azerbaijan’s continued development in line with international trends in this field.