EASE OF DRONE BUSINESS

THE JAMMU ATTACK WAS A SCARE, BUT THE GOVERNMENT HAS STILL RELAXED RULES FOR DRONE OPERATORS

EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

UAS Rules, 2021 All drones except in the Nano category must have flashing anti-collision strobe lights, flight data logging capability, a secondary surveillance radar transponder, a real-time tracking system and a 360 degree collision avoidance system. Even Nano drones were required to have a global navigation satellite system, autonomous flight termination system (or Return to Home option), geo-fencing capability and flight controllers

Draft Drone Rules Safety features like ‘no permission, no take-off (NPNT)’, real-time tracking beacon, geo-fencing etc. to be notified in future. Sixmonth lead time for compliance

OPERATIONAL RESTRICTIONS

UAS Rules, 2021 Micro and small drones could not fly above 60 m and 120 m respectively. If Nano drones exceeded parameters of speed and flight, they would be classified in the next higher category. Extent of no fly zone around sensitive locations was undefined in most cases

Draft Drone Rules Interactive airspace map with green, yellow and red zones will be displayed on the digital sky platform. Yellow zone reduced from 45 km to 12 km from the airport perimeter. No flight permission required up to 400 feet in green zones and up to 200 feet in the area between 8 and 12 km from the airport perimeter

LICENCES AND FORMS

UAS Rules, 2021 As many as 23 clearances required

Draft Drone Rules Total forms reduced to 6

MAXIMUM FINE

UAS Rules, 2021 Rs 1.5 crore

Draft Drone Rules Rs 1 lakh