Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) today released Drone Regulations 1.0 to fly commercial drones from December 1 and also introduced Digital Sky Platform is the first-of-its-kind national unmanned traffic management (UTM) platform that implements “no permission, no takeoff” (NPNT), an all-digital process offering one-time registration of their drones, pilots and owners.
Civil RPA is categorized in accordance with Maximum All-Up-Weight (including payload) as indicated below:
- Nano : Less than or equal to 250 grams.
- Micro : Greater than 250 grams and less than or equal to 2 kg.
- Small : Greater than 2 kg and less than or equal to 25 kg.
- Medium : Greater than 25 kg and less than or equal to 150 kg.
- Large : Greater than 150 kg.
For every flight (exempted for the nano category), users will be required to ask for permission to fly on a mobile app and an automated process permits or denies the request instantly.
Following entities will not require UNMANNED AIRCRAFT OPERATOR
PERMIT (UAOP):
- Nano RPA operating below 50 feet (15 m) AGL in uncontrolled airspace /
enclosed premises. - Micro RPA operating below 200 feet (60 m) AGL in uncontrolled airspace /
enclosed premises. However, the user shall intimate to local police office 24
hours prior to conduct of actual operations. - RPA owned and operated by NTRO, ARC and Central Intelligence Agencies (However, the agency shall intimate local police office and concerned ATS Units prior to conduct of actual operations)
“To prevent unauthorized flights and to ensure public safety, any drone without a digital permit to fly will simply not be able to takeoff. The UTM operates as a traffic regulator in the drone airspace and coordinates closely with the defense and civilian air traffic controllers (ATCs) to ensure that drones remain on the approved flight paths,” said the Ministry.
Application process
For RPA imported to India:
- Any entity intending to import Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) in India shall obtain Equipment Type Approval (ETA) from WPC Wing, Department of Telecommunication for operating in de-licensed frequency band(s). Such approval shall be valid for a particular make and model.
- The applicant, other than Nano category, shall apply to DGCA for import clearance as per format given in Annexure-IA. Based upon the import clearance issued by DGCA, DGFT shall issue license for import of RPAS.
- Upon receipt of import license, the applicant shall apply to DGCA for UIN/ UOAP, as applicable
For RPA locally purchased in India:
- The applicant shall ensure that locally purchased RPAS shall have ETA from WPC Wing, DoT operating in de-licensed frequency band(s). Such approval shall be valid for a particular make and model.
- The applicant shall submit information as per format along with application for issue of UIN / UAOP, as applicable.
Drone Regulations 1.0 will enable the safe, commercial usage of drones starting December 1, 2018 and are intended to enable visual line-of-sight daytime-only and a maximum of 400 ft altitude operations. Air space has been partitioned into Red Zone (flying not permitted), Yellow Zone (controlled airspace), and Green Zone (automatic permission).
Drone Task Force under the chairmanship of the Minister of State will provide draft recommendations for Drone Regulations 2.0. These regulations will examine, inter alia, the following issues:
- Certification of safe and controlled operation of drone hardware and software
- Air space management through automated operations linked into overall airspace management framework
- Beyond visual-line-of-sight operations
- Contribution to establishing global standards
- Suggestions for modifications of existing CARs and/or new CARs.
Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Suresh Prabhu said:
Today we start an exciting new chapter in India’s aviation history by allowing commercial use of drones. I am sure that many new and exciting applications will emerge that will propel India’s economy forward. Our progressive regulations will encourage a vast Made in India drone industry.
Hon’ble Minister of State Shri Jayant Sinha said,
We want to establish a world-leading drone ecosystem. These regulations firmly place us among the global leaders. Our policy roadmap will certainly provide a strong impetus to all players in the drone ecosystem. We hope that these initiatives will enable us to create a vibrant new industry.