government has repealed unmanned aircraft system (UAS) Rules, 2021 and “Liberalized Drone Rules, 2021”. Startups and drone operators will no longer have to go through complicated approval processes and the entire system is now based on self-certification and non-intrusive surveillance. The government is also considering building a “drone corridor” for cargo delivery.
The government has removed several approval certificates required to fly drones such as unique authorization number, unique prototype identification number, manufacturing and airworthiness certificate, confirmation certificate, maintenance certificate, import clearance, approval of existing drones, operator permit, authorization of R&D organization. , Student Remote Pilot License, Remote Pilot Instructor Authority, Drone Port Authority etc.
Also, the number of approval forms has been reduced from 25 to 5 and fee types from 72 to 4. “The fee for remote pilot license fee has been reduced from Rs 3000 (for large drones) to Rs 100 for all categories. The drone is valid for another 10 years. According to a statement by the Ministry of Civil Aviation
The Digital Sky website will now have an interactive airspace map. The map will come with green, yellow and red zones and will be displayed on the Digital Sky website within 30 days of the publication of these rules.
No permission needed to fly drone in green zone
No permission is required to operate drones in green zones. Green zone means airspace up to a vertical distance of 400 feet or 120 meters that is not designated as a red zone or yellow zone in airspace maps; and an airspace up to a vertical distance of 200 feet or 60 meters from an area located between a lateral distance of 8 and 12 kilometers from the perimeter of an operational airport.
On the other hand, the yellow zone from the airport perimeter has been reduced from 45 km to 12 km.
License requirements have been eased
Remote pilot license is not required for micro drones (for non-commercial use) and nano drones. Also, as per the new rules, there is no requirement of security clearance before any registration or issuance of license.
“There is no requirement of Type Certificate, Unique Identification Number and Remote Pilot License by R&D entities operating drones on their own or rented premises located in green areas,” it added.
The Remote Pilot License will be issued by DGCA within 15 days of obtaining the Remote Pilot Certificate from the authorized Drone School through the Digital Sky platform.
The government will regulate the import of drones through the DGFT and there is no restriction on “foreign ownership” in Indian drone companies. Also, the requirement of import clearance from DGCA has now been done away with.
Under the Drone Rules, 2021, the coverage of drones has been increased from 300 kg to 500 kg. This will also include drone taxis. DGCA will determine drone training requirements, supervise drone schools and provide online pilot licenses.
what about old drones
Drones in India on or before 30 November 2021 will be issued a unique identification number through the Digital Sky platform, provided they have a DAN, a GST-paid invoice and are part of the list of DGCA-approved drones. As per the new rules, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and Training Procedure Manual (TPM) will be prescribed by DGCA on Digital Sky platform for self-monitoring by users. No approval is required unless there is a significant deviation from the prescribed procedures.
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