New simpler rules give drones a turbo charge – Times of India
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BENGALURU: The Drone Rule 2021, which replaces the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Rules brought in earlier this year, does away with a lot of paperwork, simplifies procedures, and reduces the compliance burden.
The most important change is the removal of the security clearance required for conducting any activity in the sector, and the launch of interactive airspace maps with green, yellow and red zones, which will make it easier for operators to fly the drones.
“The UAS Rules indicated a severe licensing regime, impenetrable technical and operational requirements and high penalties. With the rules being superseded in just four months, it opens up the sector both horizontally and vertically,” said Smit Shah, director of Drone Federation of India, a body which represents more than 80 manufacturers, 120 operators and 2,000 drone pilots.
Drone corridors will be developed for cargo deliveries. It has been specified that coverage of drones under Drone Rules 2021 has increased from 300 kilograms to 500 kilograms to include heavy payload-carrying drones and drone taxis.
Some of the approvals abolished under the new rules include a unique authorisation number, unique prototype identification number, certificate of conformance, certificate of maintenance, operator permits, authorisation of research and development organisation, and remote pilot instructor authorisation.
No permission is required for operating a drone in green zones and up to 200 feet in the area between 8 and 12 km from the airport perimeter. Flying in yellow and red zones require prior permission.
“The previous system was more stringent. To buy a drone, one needed security clearance. So that is why even though there are 600,000 drones in India, only 50 have got an identification number,” said Swapnik Jakkampuddi, co-founder of Skye Air Mobility, a drone operator which is working with the Telangana government on a project to deliver medicines by drones.
“In the stakeholder consultation, Nasscom had highlighted the need to reassess the No Permission No Take Off (NPNT) requirement. The rules notified today, provides for some flexibility in the implementation of NPNT and gives a minimum lead time of six months for compliance, in case it is notified by the government,” Nasscom said in a statement.
The most important change is the removal of the security clearance required for conducting any activity in the sector, and the launch of interactive airspace maps with green, yellow and red zones, which will make it easier for operators to fly the drones.
“The UAS Rules indicated a severe licensing regime, impenetrable technical and operational requirements and high penalties. With the rules being superseded in just four months, it opens up the sector both horizontally and vertically,” said Smit Shah, director of Drone Federation of India, a body which represents more than 80 manufacturers, 120 operators and 2,000 drone pilots.
Drone corridors will be developed for cargo deliveries. It has been specified that coverage of drones under Drone Rules 2021 has increased from 300 kilograms to 500 kilograms to include heavy payload-carrying drones and drone taxis.
Some of the approvals abolished under the new rules include a unique authorisation number, unique prototype identification number, certificate of conformance, certificate of maintenance, operator permits, authorisation of research and development organisation, and remote pilot instructor authorisation.
No permission is required for operating a drone in green zones and up to 200 feet in the area between 8 and 12 km from the airport perimeter. Flying in yellow and red zones require prior permission.
“The previous system was more stringent. To buy a drone, one needed security clearance. So that is why even though there are 600,000 drones in India, only 50 have got an identification number,” said Swapnik Jakkampuddi, co-founder of Skye Air Mobility, a drone operator which is working with the Telangana government on a project to deliver medicines by drones.
“In the stakeholder consultation, Nasscom had highlighted the need to reassess the No Permission No Take Off (NPNT) requirement. The rules notified today, provides for some flexibility in the implementation of NPNT and gives a minimum lead time of six months for compliance, in case it is notified by the government,” Nasscom said in a statement.
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