Register drones by September
dubai –— In the wake of unauthorised drone activities that resulted in flight diversions and airport closures, the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (Esma) on Monday announced that the registration of drones used for recreational or commercial purposes shall become mandatory by September.
Abdulla Abdul Qader Al Maeeni, director-general of Esma, said: “The direct costs of violating air traffic caused by the unsafe drone use may reach Dh350,000 per minute. Studies carried out by the TRA have shown that financial losses extend to wasting passengers time by 203 passengers per flight.”
Meanwhile, traders and suppliers have three months to comply with the regulation in the UAE, he added. According to Al Maeeni, the UAE regulation, the first of its kind globally, is a proactive step taken by the UAE to legalise this market.
“The producers and traders need to submit a request for a product status statement of Esma via our website by September, and later after the auditing process, a one-year valid certificate shall be issued.”
The requirements for safe operation must also be met and in accordance with the general authority for civil aviation, while the frequency of the aircraft shall be compatible with the frequencies allocated by the TRA, Al Maeeni added.
“All products must be certified by the manufacturer, bearing the factory’s signature and stamp, and include detailed information on the manufacturer’s address, brand, and classification of the purpose of using the drone.”
Abdullah Al Suri, an Emirati youth who has a drone, said that drones, authorised or not, should never be used near the airports. “The new rule will help track abusers.”
Mohammed Salem, an Egyptian, said the mandatory registration will help prevent the occurrence of several incidents that took place in 2016 where unregistered drones caused the temporary closure of Dubai International Airport, leading to delays and closures.
“However, I would recommend
All products must be certified by the manufacturer, bearing the factory’s signature and stamp, and include detailed information on the manufacturer’s address.” Abdulla Abdul Qader Al Maeeni, director-general of Esma
that drone owners be given a threeyear validity certificate instead of just one year, and they can also go through free special training to develop their awareness and avoid any possible hassle.”
Earlier speaking to Khaleej Times, Saj Ahmad, chief analyst at StrategicAero Research, said that a drone potentially striking an aircraft could be very dangerous. “Depending on the size of the drone, some of which can be as large as a light single-seat helicopter, the risk is that a jet could well be brought down.” Any structural impact on any sized airplane would force an emergency. This may well lead to an airport or airspace closure or restriction, he added.
Speaking at the World Aviation Safety Summit in Dubai in 2016, Michael Rudolph, head of aviation regulation and safety at the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), had said “$1 million per minute, that’s what it cost the economy of Dubai.”