Flying Drones in India
Come December and flying drones in India is set to become easier. Or at least that’s what the new drone policy suggests. While drones have been deployed by photographers and a few commercial enterprises but there was always a lack of clarity around them. In the US and other countries, e-commerce platforms like Amazon use drones to deliver products as well. However, that still might take some time in India. Nevertheless, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has finally brought a sense of clarity and made it relatively easier for those who want to fly drones. Here’s all you need to know about the new drone policy:
What you need for flying a drone
While drone is basically a flying object, the DGCA policy defines it as a “remotely piloted aircraft, its associated remote pilot station(s), command and control links and any other components forms a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS).” These RPAs or drones all need a Unique Identification Number which has to be plastered on the drone. Along with this, the drone operator also needs a Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit.
Drones have been categorised into 5 types based on their weight: Nano, Micro, Small, Medium and Large
According to the DGCA, drones can be categorised in five different types. Nano drone which is less than or equal to 250 gram. Then comes the Micro drone which is from 250gm to 2kg. The other three drone types include Small, Medium and Large which are from 2kg to 25kg, 25kg to 150kg and finally more than 150 kg respectively.
You will need permit from DGCA to fly drones (except for Nano drones)
If you have a drone which is any other than the Nano – which is basically a really tiny flying object – then you need to get an approval from DGCA. Once applied, the DGCA will grant an import clearance and only then one is actually allowed to fly drones. There are certain exceptions which can be made as per DGCA’s drone policy. For instance, if someone has a Micro drone and is operating it below 200 feet they are allowed to fly as long as they inform the local police 24 hours in advance. Also, any drone which is owned by certain government agencies can be operated by they too have inform the local police before getting them in air.
How to get the DGCA permit for flying drones
DGCA has clearly stated that a drone can only be flown by someone who is over 18 years of age. Also, the person should have – bizarrely if we may so so – passed “class 10th exam in English”. He/she should also must have undergone training as approved by DGCA. A list of documents has to be submitted to DGCA which will then issue the permit within seven days. The permit remains valid for a period of five years and us non-transferrable.
You can fly drones only during the day; insurance is compulsory
Firstly, an insurance is compulsory to cover any third-party damage which might be incurred. For all categories of drones, DGCA has laid out certain basis operating procedures. All drones will be restricted to fly during day time only. Not just that the drones have to be within VLOS or Visual Line of Sight. If you have two drones, you can’t operate them together as one person is allowed to fly only one Remotely Piloted Aircraft or a drone at a time.
You cannot fly drone within 5km radius around airports in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Bengaluru
Remember that no drone can be flown within 5km of the major cities’ airports. In Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Bengaluru, you are not allowed to fly a drone within 5km of airport’s perimeters. This restriction comes down to 3km for all other cities’ airports.
Needless to say, a RPA or drone cannot be flown within 25kms of international borders. Furthermore, you aren’t allowed to operate a drone:
* Beyond 500m into sea from the coast line
* Within 3 km from perimeter of military installations
* Within 5 km radius of Vijay Chowk in New Delhi
* Eco-sensitive zones around national parks and wildlife sanctuaries
* Within 3 km of State secretariat complexes
* Within 2 km of “strategic locations” notified by ministry of Home Affairs
This drone belonged to a photographer who was experimenting with aerial photography and thought the cricket match would make for the perfect setting.
Little did he realise that his desire to experiment could land him in jail.
What is a drone?
Drones are unmanned aircraft that can fly autonomously without a human in control. Furthermore, drones can be defined as aircraft without pilots on board, whose flight (speed, navigation, aerobatics, etc.) are controlled by onboard computers that are in turn directed by remote human operators.
What is the legal status of operating a drone in India?
After a lot of ambiguity, The Office of the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) finally released the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) for the operation of civil Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS), or as it is commonly known as, drones. As per the CAR, to operate a drone one will have to obtain a Unique Identification Number (UIN), an Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit (UAOP) and comply with certain other operational requirements.
The DCGA has divided the drones into five categories based on their Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW)
1. Nano: Less than or equal to 250 grams.
2. Micro: Greater than 250 grams and less than or equal to 2 kg.
3. Mini: Greater than 2 kg and less than or equal to 25 kg.
4. Small: Greater than 25 kg and less than or equal to 150 kg.
5. Large: Greater than 150 kg.
The DGCA will allow model aircrafts, with a Maximum Take-Off Weight of up to 2 kg and without any payload, to operate without UNIN and/or UAOP, provided that they’re flown below 200 feet and only inside the premises of an educational institution.
However, such recreational flyers will have to “inform the local police authorities before undertaking such activities even for indoor operation.”
What you need for flying a drone
While drone is basically a flying object, the DGCA policy defines it as a “remotely piloted aircraft, its associated remote pilot station(s), command and control links and any other components forms a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS).” These RPAs or drones all need a Unique Identification Number which has to be plastered on the drone. Along with this, the drone operator also needs a Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit.
Drones have been categorised into 5 types based on their weight: Nano, Micro, Small, Medium and Large
According to the DGCA, drones can be categorised in five different types. Nano drone which is less than or equal to 250 gram. Then comes the Micro drone which is from 250gm to 2kg. The other three drone types include Small, Medium and Large which are from 2kg to 25kg, 25kg to 150kg and finally more than 150 kg respectively.
You will need permit from DGCA to fly drones (except for Nano drones)
If you have a drone which is any other than the Nano – which is basically a really tiny flying object – then you need to get an approval from DGCA. Once applied, the DGCA will grant an import clearance and only then one is actually allowed to fly drones. There are certain exceptions which can be made as per DGCA’s drone policy. For instance, if someone has a Micro drone and is operating it below 200 feet they are allowed to fly as long as they inform the local police 24 hours in advance. Also, any drone which is owned by certain government agencies can be operated by they too have inform the local police before getting them in air.
How to get the DGCA permit for flying drones
DGCA has clearly stated that a drone can only be flown by someone who is over 18 years of age. Also, the person should have – bizarrely if we may so so – passed “class 10th exam in English”. He/she should also must have undergone training as approved by DGCA. A list of documents has to be submitted to DGCA which will then issue the permit within seven days. The permit remains valid for a period of five years and us non-transferrable.
You can fly drones only during the day; insurance is compulsory
Firstly, an insurance is compulsory to cover any third-party damage which might be incurred. For all categories of drones, DGCA has laid out certain basis operating procedures. All drones will be restricted to fly during day time only. Not just that the drones have to be within VLOS or Visual Line of Sight. If you have two drones, you can’t operate them together as one person is allowed to fly only one Remotely Piloted Aircraft or a drone at a time.
You cannot fly drone within 5km radius around airports in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Bengaluru
Remember that no drone can be flown within 5km of the major cities’ airports. In Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Bengaluru, you are not allowed to fly a drone within 5km of airport’s perimeters. This restriction comes down to 3km for all other cities’ airports.
Needless to say, a RPA or drone cannot be flown within 25kms of international borders. Furthermore, you aren’t allowed to operate a drone:
* Beyond 500m into sea from the coast line
* Within 3 km from perimeter of military installations
* Within 5 km radius of Vijay Chowk in New Delhi
* Eco-sensitive zones around national parks and wildlife sanctuaries
* Within 3 km of State secretariat complexes
* Within 2 km of “strategic locations” notified by ministry of Home Affairs
This drone belonged to a photographer who was experimenting with aerial photography and thought the cricket match would make for the perfect setting.
Little did he realise that his desire to experiment could land him in jail.
What is a drone?
Drones are unmanned aircraft that can fly autonomously without a human in control. Furthermore, drones can be defined as aircraft without pilots on board, whose flight (speed, navigation, aerobatics, etc.) are controlled by onboard computers that are in turn directed by remote human operators.
What is the legal status of operating a drone in India?
After a lot of ambiguity, The Office of the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) finally released the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) for the operation of civil Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS), or as it is commonly known as, drones. As per the CAR, to operate a drone one will have to obtain a Unique Identification Number (UIN), an Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit (UAOP) and comply with certain other operational requirements.
The DCGA has divided the drones into five categories based on their Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW)
1. Nano: Less than or equal to 250 grams.
2. Micro: Greater than 250 grams and less than or equal to 2 kg.
3. Mini: Greater than 2 kg and less than or equal to 25 kg.
4. Small: Greater than 25 kg and less than or equal to 150 kg.
5. Large: Greater than 150 kg.
The DGCA will allow model aircrafts, with a Maximum Take-Off Weight of up to 2 kg and without any payload, to operate without UNIN and/or UAOP, provided that they’re flown below 200 feet and only inside the premises of an educational institution.
However, such recreational flyers will have to “inform the local police authorities before undertaking such activities even for indoor operation.”
“Regulation of drones is a very difficult prospect in a country like India. We have extensively pondered over the security aspect and consulted global examples. This is a very progressive policy which will increase the ease of doing business for drones,” Jayant Sinha, minister of state for civil aviation said in a report to Business Standard.
Here are the requirements for applying for a Unique Identification Number (UIN)• Applicant must be a citizen of India
• The central government or any state government or any company or corporation owned or controlled by either of the said governments
• A company or corporate body, provided either it is registered and has its principal place of business within India, or its chairman and at least two-thirds of its directors are citizens of India, or its substantial ownership and effective control is vested in Indian nationals
• A company or corporation registered outside India, provided that it has leased the RPAS to any organization mentioned in points 2 & 3 above.
What documents need to be submitted?
• Contact details of the operator with valid identity and address proof
• Details of purpose and area of operation
• Specification of the drone, including manufacturer name, type, model number, year of manufacture, weight & size, type of propulsion system, flying capabilities in terms of maximum endurance, and range & height among others
• Details of compatible payload along with its weight and maximum weight carrying capacity of the drone
• Copy of the drone’s flight manual or manufacturer’s operating manual
• Copy of the drone’s manufacturer’s maintenance guidelines
• Explicit permission for all frequencies the drone will be using during operations from the Department of Telecommunication (Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing)
• Security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in case, the applicant, is either an individual or a company that isn’t owned or controlled by a government body
• Verification of character and antecedents of the remote pilot(s) from the local sub-divisional police office
Like cars have number plates, each drone is required to have a similar identification plate, on which the UIN, radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag and SIM will be affixed.
DGCA will issue the UIN within two days if the documents submitted are complete.
Also, note that drones in the Nano category that do not intend to fly more than 50 feet above ground level, and those that are owned by government security agencies do not require a UIN.
What documents need to be submitted to obtain an Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit?
• Permission from Air Traffic Services provider (civil/defense)
• Permission of the land or property owner (i.e., the area from where the drone will take-off and land
• Details of the remote pilot(s) and her/his training records
• Insurance details of the drone
• Security programme as approved by Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS)
• The application for the UAOP needs to be submitted with the DGCA at least 7 days before actual operations.
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