RC tracks, model airfields and boat waters in Malta

In Malta, model flying is the most active RC discipline: the Malta Model Aircraft Flying Association (MMAFA), whose history goes back to 1949, flies on its own asphalt runway at the end of the former runway in Ta‘ Qali, in the middle of the national park below Mdina. Radio-controlled sailing yachts of the IOM and Dragon Force 65 classes are looked after by the Malta Model Boat Association (MMBA), which sails at varying locations. Important for guests: the whole of Malta is controlled airspace; every drone flight must be approved by the aviation authority, Transport Malta – Civil Aviation Directorate (TM-CAD), and liability insurance is compulsory for every drone.

Where can you drive RC cars in Malta?

We have not yet found an RC track in Malta with current evidence on the club’s own website.

Where can you fly model aircraft in Malta?

1 club airfield with field details, limits and guest rules.

Club	Location	Island	Models
Malta Model Aircraft Flying Association	Ta‘ Qali	Malta	Electric, Jets, Helicopters

Where can you sail model boats in Malta?

We have not yet found a model boat water in Malta with current evidence on the club’s own website.

What are the rules in Malta?

These associations are responsible in Malta:

• Malta Model Boat Association (MMBA): Founded in 1994, the MMBA promotes radio-controlled sailing yacht racing in Malta according to its website and calls itself the “Home of the Radio Controlled Sailing in Malta”. It organises races and sailing days for the International One Metre (IOM) and Dragon Force 65 classes at changing locations around the island and is hosting the Malta IOM Open National Championship 2027.

The key points from the law and official pages (retrieved 11/10/2026):

• In Malta, drones and model aircraft are the responsibility of Transport Malta’s Civil Aviation Directorate (TM-CAD). Registration, exam booking and flight requests are handled through its online portal tmcad.idronect.com; the exams themselves are taken at the TM-CAD offices in Lija (Transport Malta – Drones: Information & Help).
• As an operator (owner) you must register unless your drone is labelled as a toy under the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC or weighs less than 250 g and has no recording device such as a camera or microphone. You register on tmcad.idronect.com, receive a UAS operator registration number and certificate, and affix the number or its QR code to each of your drones; the registration is renewed annually for EUR 25 (Transport Malta – Drones: Registration).
• For A1/A3 you complete the online training and then take a theory exam in Lija (40 multiple-choice questions, maximum 1 hour, pass mark 75%), booked through the portal. For A2 you first need A1/A3, study theory and practice by self-study or courses, declare completion of the practical training and take a further exam (30 questions, 45 minutes, 75%); there is no practical exam (Transport Malta – Drones: Training).
• Your remote pilot licence is valid for 5 years in Malta. You can renew it only by passing a renewal exam before it expires (A1/A3: 20 questions, 30 minutes; A2: 35 questions, 60 minutes, also renewing A1/A3; pass mark 75%; fee EUR 10; held at TM-CAD in Lija) – otherwise you have to sit the initial exam again (Transport Malta – Drones: Licence Renewals).
• Because all of Malta is controlled airspace, every drone flight must be authorised by TM-CAD: you submit date, time, location, drone and altitude online at tmcad.idronect.com. According to TM, recreational flights are usually approved automatically within minutes if the maximum altitude does not exceed 120 m (400 ft), the area stays within visual line of sight (VLOS) and the system shows the operation as compliant – however, TM’s help page states 60 m for automatic approvals and excludes flights before half an hour before sunrise and after half an hour after sunset (Transport Malta – Drones: Open Category – Recreational and Commercial Operations).
• In Malta you need valid third-party liability insurance for any drone operation – irrespective of the weight of the drone and whether you fly recreationally or commercially; TM-CAD explains this with the fact that all Maltese airspace is controlled. Any valid insurance from any insurance provider is accepted, and you upload proof of it when registering (Transport Malta – Drones: Information & Help).
• If your model aircraft club or association holds an authorisation from TM-CAD, the club may register itself and all its members are associated with that registration – otherwise each member registers individually on tmcad.idronect.com. If you fly only within the Ta’ Qali/Ħal Far model flying bubble, for which club members are already insured, no additional insurance is needed; for model aircraft flights outside these bubbles you need valid third-party insurance (Transport Malta – Drones: Information & Help).
• As a visitor you also register on tmcad.idronect.com and upload valid third-party insurance: if you already hold an EASA UAS operator number, you may opt for a three-month registration for EUR 10; otherwise you register to obtain an EASA UAS operator registration number for EUR 25. You also need a valid remote pilot licence for your category of operation, and your flight must be authorised by TM-CAD (Transport Malta – Drones: Tourists Visiting Malta).
• Malta has defined geographical zones that are restricted for environmental, safety or security reasons – including embassies, nature reserves, hospitals, power stations, correctional facilities, airports and heliports; the interactive map is at tmcad.idronect.com/map. If your flight is in a restricted zone, it is not authorised automatically: you upload the ‘no objection’ statement of the responsible authority or owner with your application (Transport Malta – Drones: Geographical Zones).

Frequently asked questions

Can I fly model aircraft in Malta as a guest?

At the MMAFA in Ta‘ Qali, visitors are welcome at the flying site; the club recommends that newcomers make a first visit on Saturday or Sunday between 09:00 and 11:00. Inexperienced pilots are not allowed to fly alone there. Clarify beforehand how your flight is insured and approved by Transport Malta – Civil Aviation Directorate (TM-CAD).

Do I have to register in Malta as a visitor?

Yes: visitors also register on the portal tmcad.idronect.com and upload valid liability insurance. If you already have an EASA operator number, a three-month registration for €10 is sufficient; you also need a suitable remote pilot licence, and every flight must be approved.

Do I need insurance in Malta?

Yes, for every drone operation – regardless of weight and of whether you fly privately or commercially. You upload the proof when you register.

Where am I not allowed to fly in Malta?

In the geozones, for example at embassies, nature reserves, hospitals, power stations, prisons, airports and helipads; the map is at tmcad.idronect.com/map. If your flight is in such a zone, it will not be approved automatically, and you need a “No Objection” declaration.

Are there RC car tracks in Malta?

We have not yet found a track with up-to-date evidence on a website of its own. If you know one, feel free to write to us via the contact page.