Drone rules Bali are not simply about keeping a drone below 120 metres. For a professional commercial or corporate shoot, the crew needs to check the airspace, aircraft registration, remote pilot certification, operating approval, and permission to take off and film at the location.
For production crews working in Bali or Jakarta, a drone flight should be handled as part of the aviation and location-safety plan. The airspace should be checked before the shoot, not after the drone is already on location.
What Are the Current Drone Rules in Bali?
Indonesia’s main regulation for unmanned aircraft is Minister of Transportation Regulation PM 37/2020. Under the regulation, operations in uncontrolled airspace can generally be conducted up to 400 feet, or 120 metres, without Directorate General approval.
The important point is that 120 metres is an altitude threshold, not a blanket permission to fly anywhere in Bali.
Approval requirements can apply to operations in controlled airspace, above 120 metres in uncontrolled airspace, within an airport’s flight safety operating area, and in other areas subject to specific restrictions. The regulation also addresses operations around certain helipads and prohibited or restricted airspace.
Do You Need a Drone Permit in Bali?
The required approval depends on the aircraft, location, airspace, and planned operation. Indonesia’s official SIDOPI GO system provides separate processes for aircraft registration, a Remote Pilot Certificate, and unmanned aircraft operating approval.
For a drone permit Indonesia operation, the production team should work through these steps:
- Confirm the exact filming coordinates.
- Check the applicable airspace and restrictions.
- Confirm aircraft registration requirements.
- Confirm that the pilot has the appropriate Remote Pilot Certificate.
- Apply for operating approval when required.
- Keep the relevant documentation available during the shoot.
This should happen during pre-production, alongside location permissions, risk assessments, call sheets, and other production paperwork.
Where Are the No-Fly or Restricted Areas in Bali?
Airspace around airports is one of the first things Bali production house should check. Ngurah Rai International Airport is particularly relevant because many commercial locations across southern Bali can fall within areas where additional aviation restrictions or approvals apply.
Controlled airspace, airport flight safety areas, helipad zones, prohibited areas, and restricted areas all require closer attention than an open rural location.
There is also a second permission layer. A flight may be acceptable from an aviation perspective but still require permission from the property owner or site manager.
What Happens When You Bring a Drone Into Bali?
International production crews should declare their equipment accurately when entering Indonesia. Working with an experienced local production fixer can help streamline this entire process.
For a production drone, keep an equipment list that identifies the make, model, serial number, quantity, ownership, and production purpose. If equipment is being brought temporarily for a shoot and will leave Indonesia again, the crew should also have the relevant supporting documentation for that arrangement.
Customs officers can inspect declared baggage, so the production manager or equipment owner should be able to explain what the drone equipment is and why it is being brought into Indonesia.
Do not assume that a camera drone will automatically be treated as ordinary personal baggage. Customs treatment depends on the circumstances of the goods and their importation.
What Can Get a Drone Crew Stopped in Bali?
A drone crew can be stopped when the operation cannot demonstrate the necessary authorization, when the flight enters restricted or controlled airspace, or when the pilot cannot provide the relevant documentation.
Location security can also intervene if a drone is flown over private property, a crowded area, a ceremony, an industrial site, or another sensitive location without permission.
For flying a drone in Bali, assign one person to handle compliance on the shoot. Before take-off, that person should confirm the pilot’s credentials, aircraft documentation, operating approval, location permission, weather conditions, take-off area, emergency landing options, and crew or public exclusion zone.
If a site manager, security officer, police officer, airport representative, or other authorized party asks the pilot to land, the flight should stop while the issue is resolved on the ground.
Final Takeaway
A practical checklist regarding drone rules Bali aims to verify airspace status, necessary permits, aircraft registration, pilot qualifications, location permits, and customs requirements prior to filming.
Video productions involving professional production houses undergo thorough planning, including safety protocols and production compliance measures.
Ensure that precise coordinates and operational conditions are verified for each filming session; arrangements suitable for one location in Bali may not necessarily apply to another. Check our existing Bali drone tips post for broader knowledge about this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need permission to fly a drone in Bali?
It depends on the location and operation. Controlled airspace, airport safety areas, certain helipad zones, and other restricted areas can require additional approval.
Is 120 metres the maximum drone altitude in Bali?
120 metres is the relevant threshold for certain operations in uncontrolled airspace. It does not mean every flight below 120 metres is automatically permitted. Other airspace restrictions can apply at a lower altitude.
Does a professional drone pilot need a licence in Indonesia?
Indonesia provides a Remote Pilot Certificate through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation for small unmanned aircraft within the applicable weight category. Professional crews should use a properly certified pilot.
Can I bring a drone from overseas to Bali?
Yes, subject to Indonesian customs requirements. International arrivals must complete the applicable Customs Declaration, now integrated into the All Indonesia arrival system.
Can I fly a drone at a Bali resort or private property?
Airspace rules and property permission are separate. The property owner or site manager may require approval for take-off, landing, and filming even when the airspace operation itself is permitted.
