Paramotor Rules in Tanzania

Who regulates paramotor flying?

The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) is the authority for the classification, registration, airworthiness, pilot licensing and operation of aircraft in Tanzania. The first step is to ask it how your particular powered paraglider is classified under the current Civil Aviation Regulations.

TCAA publishes the regulations, aircraft registration procedures, licensing requirements and flight-permit information on its website, along with circulars on microlight and ultralight aircraft. Those circulars don't, on their own, say whether a foot-launched paramotor falls within them, so ask for a decision on your exact equipment. Regulations are revised from time to time, so always work from the current edition rather than an older guide.

What you need to establish

These are the questions to settle with TCAA. They are not a fixed list of legal requirements for every paramotor: what applies depends on how the aircraft is classified, where you fly and what the flight is for.

Do you need a pilot licence?

Settle this before you buy equipment. Training schools abroad often issue powered-paragliding certificates, but a private school's certificate doesn't on its own prove that you may fly a paramotor in Tanzania. Nor should the usual private aeroplane pilot rules be applied to paramotors without TCAA's confirmation.

Ask TCAA to confirm:

• ›Whether Tanzania requires a specific paramotor or powered-paragliding licence, or whether a microlight or other pilot licence applies.
• ›Whether a foreign paramotor licence or training certificate is recognised.
• ›Whether there is a minimum age, and whether you need a medical certificate, and of which class.
• ›Whether a minimum number of training and solo hours applies, and whether an instructor must supervise your first flights.
• ›Whether carrying passengers or flying commercially needs a separate authorisation.

If you're a pilot from abroad

If you hold a paramotor licence from Europe, the United States, South Africa or elsewhere, prepare the following for TCAA to review. Ask whether your qualification is accepted, whether it needs validating, and whether your equipment needs separate permission. A foreign qualification doesn't automatically let you fly in Tanzania.

• ›Your pilot certificate or licence.
• ›Your training records and flight logbook, with details of your recent flying.
• ›Your passport and the dates you plan to fly.
• ›The make, model and specifications of your paramotor.
• ›Where you plan to fly, and why.

Registration and airworthiness

TCAA's registration guidance says that aircraft covered by the registration rules must be registered before they operate in Tanzania, with registration forms, proof of ownership and technical records. For a paramotor, ask whether the whole powered paraglider needs registering, whether the engine, wing and frame are assessed as one aircraft, whether a foreign registration is accepted, and whether you need a certificate of airworthiness or another approval. Ask too whether modifications, a new engine or a replacement wing need approval, and whether the aircraft must carry identification markings.

Buying a paramotor abroad and bringing it into Tanzania doesn't mean you can fly it straight away.

Where can you fly?

Tanzania's grasslands, coast, farmland and plains can look ideal for paramotoring, but a good-looking field isn't automatically an authorised take-off or landing site. Check each of these before you fly:

• ›Airports and controlled airspace: Flying low doesn't make an area unrestricted. Ask TCAA, and the air traffic services provider where relevant, about the permitted area, altitude, times and radio requirements.
• ›Towns and crowds: Flying over homes, roads, markets and crowds raises the stakes of an engine failure. Find out the actual restrictions and minimum heights; a general safety tip is no substitute for the rule.
• ›National parks and protected areas: Around the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara or Kilimanjaro, aviation approval and a landowner's consent aren't enough. You also need any authorisation the conservation authority or park management requires, including for commercial filming.
• ›Zanzibar and the coast: Check the aviation arrangements and local permissions for the location. TCAA has a separate prior-permission process for some flights involving Zanzibar; ask whether it applies to you.
• ›Private land: Get the landowner's or occupier's permission, and check that the site and its approach and departure paths are safe.

Commercial paramotor flights

Flying for your own enjoyment is different from selling a flight. Even recreational pilots must meet every aviation and site requirement, but paid activities can bring further rules:

• ›Training: Teaching others to fly can trigger instructor and training-organisation approval. TCAA says aviation training needs approval under its framework.
• ›Passenger flights: Carrying a paying customer, or including a flight in a tour package, is a separate and potentially more tightly regulated activity. It needs the right aircraft, pilot qualification, operating approval, insurance and commercial permission.
• ›Photography and filming: Aerial work can need extra aviation permission, site approval or filming consent.

Safety practices every pilot should follow

Whatever the classification, a responsible operation covers the points below. They're good practice, not a complete list of Tanzania's legal requirements, and they come on top of the manufacturer's operating limits.

• ›Weather and wind: Check wind speed and direction, gusts, turbulence, visibility and cloud. Postpone when conditions exceed your limits or your equipment's.
• ›Pre-flight inspection: Check the wing, lines, harness, propeller cage, engine, fuel system, throttle and emergency equipment against the manufacturer's checklist.
• ›Protective equipment: Wear a suitable helmet and clothing, and carry communications equipment where required.
• ›Flight planning: Know your authorised take-off and landing areas, emergency landing sites, obstacles, power lines and airspace limits.
• ›Fuel and maintenance: Carry enough fuel of the right type, and never continue with a serious mechanical concern.
• ›Emergencies: Carry a way to call for help, leave your flight plan with someone, and know what you'll do after a forced landing or an injury.

Importing a paramotor

Contact TCAA about aircraft acceptance and registration before you import, and check customs procedures separately with the Tanzanian authorities. TCAA's registration guidance asks applicants to seek acceptance before importing an aircraft for registration and operation where the process requires it.

• ›Is the make and model acceptable, and do you need written approval before importing it?
• ›Can a foreign registration be kept, and which manufacturer documents are needed?
• ›Which customs duties, taxes or import documents apply?
• ›Do fuel, batteries or radios have extra transport or import conditions?

What to prepare before you contact TCAA

• ›The make, model and manufacturer of the paramotor.
• ›Technical specifications for the wing, engine and frame.
• ›The maximum take-off mass and serial numbers.
• ›Proof of purchase or ownership.
• ›Your pilot licence, training certificate and logbook.
• ›Your proposed flying locations, with coordinates or maps.
• ›The purpose: recreation, training, photography or passenger flights.
• ›The expected altitude, times and how often you'll fly.
• ›Your proposed take-off and landing sites.
• ›Insurance details, if you have them.
• ›Any foreign registration and airworthiness documents.
• ›The import date and country of origin, if you're importing.

How to ask TCAA for guidance

Write to TCAA and ask the relevant department to assess your proposed flying. Its Legal Affairs Unit handles questions on how the law should be read, and the Government Printer's versions of the regulations are the authoritative ones.

In your letter, ask for written guidance on: how foot-launched powered paragliders are classified; whether a licence, qualification or medical certificate is needed; whether the equipment must be registered, inspected or certified; the import requirements; the airspace limits, minimum heights and site permissions; the rules for foreign pilots and equipment; any extra approvals for passenger flights, training, photography or tourism; and the fees, forms and processing times. Include the make and model, where you plan to fly, the purpose and your qualifications, and ask whether other Tanzanian authorities must also give permission.

• ›Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority: Aviation House, Nyerere / Kitunda Road Junction, P.O. Box 2819, Dar es Salaam.
• ›Telephone: +255 22 232 7000
• ›Email: barua@tcaa.go.tz
• ›Website: www.tcaa.go.tz