Divisional Administration has issued a circular making it obligatory for all drone operators to register their ‘drones’ as per the Government’s guidelines because of the Drone Rules 2021, notified by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The said Rules apply to all persons owning, possessing or engaged in leasing, operating, transferring or maintaining unmanned aircraft systems in India.
The circular issued by the Div Com reads, ‘all persons operating an unmanned aircraft system shall have to compulsorily register themselves by making an application in Form D-2 on digital sky platform (www.digitalsky.dgca.gov.in) and obtain a Unique Identification Number (UIN). In addition, rule 6 Part III provides that no crewless aircraft shall be operated unless it conforms to a type certificate or is exempted from the requirement of a type certificate under these Rules.
Under the rules, the drones weighing less than or equal to 250 grams have been classified as nano, while those weighing between 250 grams and 2 kilograms have been categorised as ‘micro’. Weighing between 2 kilograms and 25 kilograms would categorise the unmanned aircraft system under the ‘small’ category, and the rest weighing between 25 kilograms and 150 kilograms fall under the ‘medium’ category.
The Rules provide an interactive airspace map with Red, Yellow & Green Zones on the digital sky platform by the Central Govt.
Whereas prior permission from the concerned ATC Authority is required to operate a UAV in Yellow Zone. Only the Central Govt can allow uncrewed aircraft system operations in Red Zone. Drones can be operated in the Green Zones with up to 200 feet in an area between the lateral distance of 08 to 12 km from an airport’s perimeter.
The circular further reads that a remote pilot must mandatorily verify the digital sky platform before any uncrewed aircraft system operation for any notification or restriction applicable in the intended area of operation.
The Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 and rules would apply mutatis mutandis to the third party insurance of such an aircraft system. The Drone Rules also provide penalties for its violation, which will be considered as cognisable and non-compoundable offences under CrPC. Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with the provision of the Rules shall be liable to be penalised under section 10A of the Aircraft Act, 1934, the order furthers reads.
The Div Com has impressed upon all intended operators of unmanned aircraft systems to ensure the Drone Rules’ compliance strictly. The details of the same need to be shared with the office of the concerned District Magistrate & nearest Police Station.
Dr Langer further said that there had been instances in the past when ‘enemy drones’ have posed a threat to the national security, and it is therefore imperative for all to observe the code to ensure the safety and security of vital installations like airports, international border/LoC, army installations etc.
