I've just returned from my trip to Ecuador. We flew into Quito and then on to Puerto Ayora to catch the Celebrity Cruise Ship Xploration, a 90' Catamaran with 8 staterooms. I did a lot of research about bringing my Mavic into Ecuador and was worried I'd be extorted for a large import fee.
First off, I was never able to find anywhere that showed the current up to the minute regulations on the import of drones.
There was no form of any kind that asked me to declare what I was bringing into the country.
My Mavic was not hidden in anyway. It was in my carry on bag that was filled with my 4 small cameras, 2 large cameras, a small portable router, various batteries and prescription meds. It was x rayed at Border Security. I had no problems getting it into the country. Zero. My bags did not get any further inspections. This said, I was never able to fly the drone while on the cruise.
I had many opportunities to fly while in Puerto Ayora and I learned later that there is a permit available at City Hall if you wish to be 100% legal. I don't know what the charge would be for the permit OR if declaring it at City Hall would trigger the import duty. I had not brought the drone to video this little strange town. (12,000 people) and I didn't want to risk not having the drone while on the cruise. BUT, I never got a clean opportunity to fly while on the cruise. We were on a very small and expensive ship. There were just 14 passengers.
While on any of the Islands in the Galapagos Park you are never left alone. You have a Guide/Minder. He was a pleasant guy but I assumed that if I broke the rules while under his gaze he would be in big trouble. It is against the rules to fly in the park without written permission from the Park Authority and you have to jump thru a few hoops and shell out some cash to get a permit for professional video production.
I have a 333 exemption as a commercial drone operator, it expires at the end of the month, Feb. 2018.
Halfway thru the cruise my sister asked our Guide about the use of a drone. He said that a month before someone was allowed to video the ship away from the Island. The operator crashed the aircraft into the moving ship and that soured the Captain about anymore drone flights. Later I approached the Guide, and told him I was carrying a small drone and understood the rules that govern them. I also told him I was a Private Pilot and was granted Commercial Authority to use the drone in the United States. I asked if I could make a short flight above the Ship ship while it was stopped and do a panorama of the bay we were anchored in. I told him the height and distance from the ship I would fly and had no problem with his oversite. I would not fly over the Island. He said he would inquire about it with the Captain. I never got permission.
So, I got the Mavic into the country without any problem, but was unable to use it. You might ask, why ask permission. Why not get up early and go up the top deck an do a quick flight while the crew is busy. The ship always has a generator or something running. It was never quiet. But I was traveling with my wife and another couple. And this was a very expensive trip. I got many great pictures from the ground and underwater. I didn't want to ruin the enjoyment of the trip for my wife or friends by breaking the rules.
Truly, it makes no sense that drones are banned. It's just that they are new and the public in many ways has been conditioned to distrust them. What i hear often is the loss of privacy? Like there are no cameras on any beach? And most have given their privacy away on stupid social media.
Hope this is helpful.
First off, I was never able to find anywhere that showed the current up to the minute regulations on the import of drones.
There was no form of any kind that asked me to declare what I was bringing into the country.
My Mavic was not hidden in anyway. It was in my carry on bag that was filled with my 4 small cameras, 2 large cameras, a small portable router, various batteries and prescription meds. It was x rayed at Border Security. I had no problems getting it into the country. Zero. My bags did not get any further inspections. This said, I was never able to fly the drone while on the cruise.
I had many opportunities to fly while in Puerto Ayora and I learned later that there is a permit available at City Hall if you wish to be 100% legal. I don't know what the charge would be for the permit OR if declaring it at City Hall would trigger the import duty. I had not brought the drone to video this little strange town. (12,000 people) and I didn't want to risk not having the drone while on the cruise. BUT, I never got a clean opportunity to fly while on the cruise. We were on a very small and expensive ship. There were just 14 passengers.
While on any of the Islands in the Galapagos Park you are never left alone. You have a Guide/Minder. He was a pleasant guy but I assumed that if I broke the rules while under his gaze he would be in big trouble. It is against the rules to fly in the park without written permission from the Park Authority and you have to jump thru a few hoops and shell out some cash to get a permit for professional video production.
I have a 333 exemption as a commercial drone operator, it expires at the end of the month, Feb. 2018.
Halfway thru the cruise my sister asked our Guide about the use of a drone. He said that a month before someone was allowed to video the ship away from the Island. The operator crashed the aircraft into the moving ship and that soured the Captain about anymore drone flights. Later I approached the Guide, and told him I was carrying a small drone and understood the rules that govern them. I also told him I was a Private Pilot and was granted Commercial Authority to use the drone in the United States. I asked if I could make a short flight above the Ship ship while it was stopped and do a panorama of the bay we were anchored in. I told him the height and distance from the ship I would fly and had no problem with his oversite. I would not fly over the Island. He said he would inquire about it with the Captain. I never got permission.
So, I got the Mavic into the country without any problem, but was unable to use it. You might ask, why ask permission. Why not get up early and go up the top deck an do a quick flight while the crew is busy. The ship always has a generator or something running. It was never quiet. But I was traveling with my wife and another couple. And this was a very expensive trip. I got many great pictures from the ground and underwater. I didn't want to ruin the enjoyment of the trip for my wife or friends by breaking the rules.
Truly, it makes no sense that drones are banned. It's just that they are new and the public in many ways has been conditioned to distrust them. What i hear often is the loss of privacy? Like there are no cameras on any beach? And most have given their privacy away on stupid social media.
Hope this is helpful.
