Castro Defense’s drone pilot training prepares new pilots, professionals and teams, including security teams, to operate remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) safely and within the rules set by AFAC (Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil), Mexico’s Federal Civil Aviation Agency. We serve clients across Mexico, and our training follows Mexican regulations.
- Courses offered: name, duration, flight hours and syllabus of each course
- Training location: where training takes place
- Pricing: public price or request a quote
What do Mexican rules require to fly a drone?
The main rule is NOM-107-SCT3-2019, an official Mexican standard published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF), Mexico’s official gazette, on November 14, 2019, and applied by AFAC to all RPAS. It classifies drones by maximum takeoff weight and by use:
| Category | Maximum takeoff weight | Uses defined by the standard |
|---|---|---|
| Micro RPAS | Up to 2 kg | Recreational, private non-commercial or commercial |
| Small RPAS | Over 2 kg and up to 25 kg | Recreational, private non-commercial or commercial |
| Large RPAS | Over 25 kg | Recreational, private non-commercial or commercial |
Key general operating rules include:
- Register drones over 250 g with the authority before flying them.
- Fly no higher than 122 m (400 ft), reduced to 100 m (328 ft) between 9.2 km and 18.5 km around the aerodromes listed in the standard.
- Keep at least 9.2 km (5 nautical miles) from any aerodrome and 0.9 km from any heliport.
- Fly within visual line of sight and between sunrise and sunset; night flights and other special operations require AFAC authorization.
- Do not fly over people not involved in the operation, except as the standard allows, or in prohibited, restricted or danger areas.
- Do not use the drone to carry dangerous goods, weapons or explosives, and do not fly more than one drone at a time.
Private non-commercial and commercial use add requirements, such as third-party liability insurance and, for small drones, an operating authorization issued by AFAC. The operator is also responsible for how any information captured during the flight is used.
Pilot authorization and license
To fly a small drone for private non-commercial or commercial use, the standard requires a pilot authorization; for a large drone, a pilot license. The authorization requirements include being at least 18, holding a psychophysical fitness certificate, passing the authority’s theory and practical exams, presenting a certificate from a training center recognized by AFAC and logging minimum flight hours, part of them with an authorized instructor. The authorization is valid for three years.
Two points matter for foreign companies and expatriates. The current text of the standard lists proof of Mexican nationality by birth among the requirements for the small-drone pilot authorization. And drones with foreign registration, or flown by foreign operators, may not operate in Mexico without a bilateral agreement between AFAC and the other country’s authority, with limited exceptions. Confirm how these rules apply to you with AFAC before planning a drone program in Mexico.
What does the training include?
A solid program covers at least the subjects NOM-107 sets for pilot training: air regulations, air traffic services, RPAS systems, operating procedures, navigation and map reading, meteorology, human factors, aviation safety and risk management, pre-flight inspection, battery safety, simulator work and flight practice.
Castro Defense course content: syllabus, theory and flight hours, and materials provided.
Certificate issued: certificate or diploma, and whether Castro Defense is an AFAC-recognized training center or works with one.
Instructors: AFAC license, instructor status and flight hours.
How does drone training work?
- Assessment. We review your experience, your drone’s type and weight, and how you will use it: recreational, professional or security.
- Training plan. We tell you which course fits and which AFAC requirements apply to you.
- Theory. Regulations, airspace, weather, flight planning and risk management.
- Flight practice. Maneuvers, emergency procedures and pre-flight inspection, in a suitable area with the required permissions.
- Evaluation. Skills are checked before the corresponding certificate is issued.
- Guidance on your paperwork. We explain which registration, insurance or authorization you need from AFAC for your category and use.
Drones, security and evidence
Organizations that fly drones to monitor facilities often face the opposite problem too: unauthorized drones over their perimeter. If that is your case, see the counter-drone systems Castro Defense offers to government agencies and legally authorized users.
A drone’s images and flight logs can also become evidence. If you need them analyzed with chain of custody, see our digital forensics service.
Training does not replace the registration, authorizations or licenses issued by AFAC.
Official sources
- NOM-107-SCT3-2019, requirements for operating a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) in Mexican airspace. Diario Oficial de la Federación, November 14, 2019 (Spanish).
- RPAS (drones). Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) (Spanish).
- Status of NOM-107-SCT3-2019: in force, confirmed in the 2024 five-year review. Ministry of Economy (Spanish).
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a license to fly a drone in Mexico?
It depends on weight and use. NOM-107-SCT3-2019 requires a pilot authorization to fly drones over 2 kg and up to 25 kg for private non-commercial or commercial use, and a pilot license for drones over 25 kg. Drones up to 2 kg do not need that authorization, but they must be registered if they weigh more than 250 g and, for private non-commercial or commercial use, carry third-party liability insurance.
Do I have to register my drone with AFAC?
Yes, if its maximum takeoff weight exceeds 250 g. NOM-107-SCT3-2019 requires a registration number before flying and a copy of it at the control station during the flight.
How high can I fly a drone in Mexico?
The general ceiling is 122 m (400 ft). Between 9.2 km and 18.5 km around the aerodromes listed in the standard, the ceiling drops to 100 m (328 ft). For micro and small drones, the aircraft must also stay within 457 m (1,500 ft) horizontally of the pilot.
Can I bring my company's drones and foreign pilots to operate in Mexico?
Check with AFAC first. NOM-107-SCT3-2019 states that drones with foreign registration, or operated by foreign operators, may not operate in Mexico unless there is a bilateral agreement between AFAC and the other country's aviation authority, with limited exceptions such as authorized scientific research.
Will a training course give me an AFAC authorization or license?
No. Only AFAC issues authorizations and licenses. For the small-drone pilot authorization, the standard requires, among other things, passing the authority's exams, logging flight hours and a certificate from a training center recognized by AFAC. Ask us what a given course covers.