Drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been increasingly popular in recent years as their commercial applications have expanded and their prices have dropped. Drones have rapidly expanded in variety and function, being put to work in anything from indoor to outdoor inspections. The recent pandemic (COVID-19) has shown us that employing drones to fight pandemics is also possible, and we have already explored how drone delivery can effect the shipping business.
Drones are becoming increasingly popular because of the many advantages they offer, such as lower labor costs, fewer technological hurdles, greater visibility, and less downtime. Narrowly focused inspection-related applications or services are making excellent use of UAVs for tasks as varied as inspection, aerial surveying, and thermal imaging.
On top of that, there has been a rise in the number of partnerships between countries’ governments, major corporations, and innovative thinkers in the field of technology. In the coming years, there will be a revolutionary shift in how drones are most effectively used. The commercial drone/UAV industry is predicted to expand to more than USD 17 billion by 2024, largely due to the advantages of drone technology.
Drone Regulations – Should you worry about it?
Here are some guidelines and restrictions you should know if you’re a drone enthusiast and have recently purchased or are intending to purchase a drone. When used for recreational purposes, drone pilots face less limitations. However, commercial drone pilot certification is required if you intend to use your drone for business.
In order to legally fly in the United States, you must obtain your Part 107 certification by passing the relevant FAA exam. After receiving your certification, you can begin taking photos and films from above with your drone. A drone requires an FAA registration number if its weight exceeds 250 grams (8.8 ounces). The cost to register for three years is $5.
Drones are allowed as long as they stay below 400 feet, the pilot keeps visual contact with the aircraft at all times, and the pilot avoids flying too close to other planes or in prohibited territory. Furthermore, flying near emergency regions where incidents like fires have happened, over crowds of people, or over a stadium or sporting event is prohibited. Every drone pilot should familiarize himself with these basic guidelines.
General Rules for Flying Drones
- Seek relevant permission from the Civil Aviation Authority before flying your drone.
- Follow the drone manufacturer’s instructions on every flight.
- VLOS (Visual Line Of Sight): You need to keep your drone insight so that you can see and avoid other objects.
- Fly below 400 feet to reduce the chances of conflict with manned aircraft.
- Flight Restriction Zone: You need to stay away from airports and airfields.
- Fly your drone only if you are satisfied that the flight will be safe.
- No object can be dropped from the aircraft.
- Failure to fly responsibly could lead to criminal prosecution
- If your drone is fitted with some form of on-board camera, you need to familiarise yourself with further regulations.
- Ensure any images you obtain using the drone do not break privacy laws.
If you want to know the laws and restrictions about flying a drone in India, the short answer is no. If you go through the correct channels and get authorization to travel, you can avoid any trouble with the law. Drone pilots in India are required to abide by the No Permission, No Takeoff (NPNT) protocol, which mandates that permission be sought before each flight through a smartphone app. When using India’s Digital Sky Platform, all drone pilots must first submit a flying request.
Important Rules and Regulations for Flying a Drone in India
- All drones except Nano category drones (that weigh less than or equal to 250 grams) must be registered and issued a Unique Identification Number (UIN).
- A permit is needed for commercial drone operations. The ones that fall into the Nano category that are flown below 50 feet and those in the Micro category flown below 200 feet do not require a permit.
- Drones cannot be flown more than 400 feet vertically.
- Drone pilots must maintain a direct visual line of sight at all times while flying.
- Drones pilots cannot fly drones in ‘No Fly Zones’ like airports, international borders.
- Drones can be flown in controlled airspace by filing a flight plan and obtaining a unique Air Defense Clearance (ADC)/Flight Information Center (FIC) number.
- Drones fall into different categories depending upon their weight. Nano drones are less than or equal to 250 grams (.55 pounds), micro drones weigh between 250 grams (.55 pounds), and 2kg (4.4 pounds), small drones weighing between 2kg (4.4 pounds) and 25kg (55 pounds). Drones that weigh between 25kg (55 pounds) and 150kg (330 pounds) fall under the medium category while the ones greater than 150 kg i.e. 33 pounds come under the large drones category.
India has additional restrictions for drones outside the nano category, in addition to the aforementioned rules and regulations for flying drones. Drones must be equipped with GPS, a Return-to-Home (RTH) function, an anti-collision light, an identification plate, a flight controller with flight data logging capability, and RF-ID and SIM/No Permission No Takeoff (NPNT) technology before they may be flown.
ePlane is a technology incubator in the aviation and aerospace industries based in Chennai, India.A professor of Aerospace Engineering at India’s IIT Madras, Mr. Satyanarayanan Chakravarthy is also one of the company’s founders.
We spoke with Mr. Chakravarthy because we were interested in hearing the details from a professional in the drone industry who should be familiar with the relevant legislation. He shed some light on the subject by saying:
Drone flight restrictions are not standardized worldwide and are instead developing at varying rates in different nations.The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India has officially approved small drones for use in line-of-sight piloted missions like aerial photography, mapping, and survey as of 1 December 2018. Specific rules include implementing the No-permission No-takeoff protocol on the Digital Sky Platform, creating a unique identifier for each drone based on its SIM card, and so on. The next step is for the DGCA to approve 13 groups to test out BVLOS, or beyond visual line of sight, operations using multi-copter drones at distances of up to 5 kilometers.
Following the completion of these trials, regulations requiring such drone operators to adhere to the aforementioned parameters would presumably be drafted. Drones larger than the small category, such as fixed-wing and hybrid VTOL-fixed wing aerial vehicles, may need more time to gain approval for long-distance and autonomous flight. The approval of drone use varies greatly from one country to the next. The field of delivery drones is currently at the cutting edge. Drone deliveries are becoming increasingly legal in many countries, especially in rural areas.
With the likelihood of a constantly shifting urban environment in mind, EASA has just begun launching BVLOS testing there as well. Drones must also be approved for use in business settings. About 5 businesses in India had the DGCA verify their drones before moving forward with a self-certifying model that would have a third-party certifying agency handle the process. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States has approved Amazon and a few other corporations to use drones for package delivery. The identification of drone lanes for peaceful cohabitation with general aviation flight paths is likely in the future as the skies become potentially busy, particularly with delivery drones.
You can also read his earlier interview, in which he talks about how E-plane is preparing for the future of transportation by developing autonomous electric aerial vehicles. If you are only going to be using your drone for fun, it is not mandatory to purchase drone insurance, although it is strongly suggested. In the event that your drone causes harm to another person or their property, they may sue you and seek compensation from you.
To sum up, if you want to make money with your drone, you need to secure the appropriate permissions and follow the guidelines for commercial usage of drones. Anyone with a passion for drones and a willingness to follow the rules and regulations can pilot the drone and get the desired result. A notice or a punishment may be issued if you break the restrictions, and your drone could even be taken away from you. The seriousness of the crime will determine the fine or the sort of punishment imposed. In the event of a regulation violation, the appropriate penalty may take the shape of a monetary fine or the seizure of your drone.