Flying drones to become legal from December 1, ban on use for services
Individuals and companies will be able to fly drones from December 1, 2018, in areas other than those barred for security reasons, according to the regulations for use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) released by the civil aviation ministry on Monday.
Operators will be able to apply for permissions and get instant approvals through a portal (Digital Sky Platform) for the use of drones for photography and recreational purposes.
The commercial use of drones — as taxis, delivery vehicles, or other services — will not be allowed as of now. “...Whenever someone approaches us with a new idea — be it using it for deliveries or agricultural purposes — we will test it at the identified sites and allow the usage in case to case basis,” said a DGCA official who asked not to be named.
“...Our policy road map will provide strong impetus to all players in the drone ecosystem. We hope that these initiatives will enable us to create a vibrant new industry,” minister of state for civil aviation Jayant Sinha said.
The regulations state that no permissions will be needed for flying ‘nano’ drones, which weigh less than 250gm, within the visual range.
But operators have been advised to inform the local police beforehand and to not breach the privacy of any individual.
According to the ministry, the Digital Sky Platform will be the first-of-its-kind national unmanned traffic management portal to implement a ‘no permission, no take-off’ policy.
“Users will be required to do a one-time registration of drones, pilots and owners...,” a ministry official said.
All RPAS, except nano drones and those owned by government intelligence agencies, will have to be registered and issued with a Unique Identification Number (UIN).
If such a registration is not done, it will be a violation of law that will attract penal action.
As per the regulations, there are five categories of drones by weight — nano, micro, small, medium and large.
The directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) has identified 23 sites across the country where experiments related to drones will be conducted.
A case under the Indian Penal Code can be filed for flying a drone in a prohibited zone.
“It is good to have a policy for something which is still evolving. But government really need to think of this is the priority for the ailing aviation sector,” said Mark Martin, founder and chief executive officer of Martin Consulting, an aviation consultancy.
NEW DELHI: