Find the answers and detailed explanations at the end of the post:

Q.1. Which of the following statements is/are true with respect to the ‘drone policy’ recently announced by the government of India: (1) The ‘drone policy’ is in line with the standards of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO); (2) The ‘Digital Sky Platform’ as mentioned in the policy is an unmanned platform.

a. Only 1

b. Only 2

c. Both 1 and 2

d. Neither 1 nor 2

Q.2. Which of the following statements is/are true with respect to the remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) in the ‘drone policy’ recently released by the government of India: (1) As per the policy, 4 categories of RPAS have been identified on the basis of the weight; (2) The RPAS can operate only to a maximum height of 400 meters; (3) The RPAS can operate during both day and night but within the Visual Line of Sight (VLoS).

a. Only 2 and 3

b. Only 1 and 2

c. 1, 2 and 3

d. None of the other three options.

Q.3. Which of the following categories of drones do not require registration and Unique Identification Number under the new ‘drone policy’ recently released by the government of India: (1) Nano; (2) Micro; (3) Small; (4) Drones owned by National Technical Research Organisation.

a. Only 1 and 4

b. Only 1, 2 and 4

c. Only 1, 2 and 3

d. Only 1, 3 and 4

Q.4. Which of the following categories of drones do not require Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit (UAOP) under the new ‘drone policy’ recently released by the government of India: (1) Nano RPAS operating below 50 ft.; (2) Micro RPAS operating below 200 ft.; (3) RPAS owned by National Technical Research Organisation.

a. Only 1 and 3

b. Only 2 and 3

c. Only 3

d. 1, 2 and 3

Q.5. Which of the following shall be the benefits of the ‘drone policy’ released by the Government of India: (1) Drones can be used for commercial purposes; (2) Drones can be used beyond the height of 400 feet; (3) E-commerce companies can use Drones for delivery of goods; (4) Air space management through automated operations link would be possible.

a. Only 1

b. Only 1 and 3

c. Only 1, 2 and 3

d. Only 1, 3 and 4

Answers and explanation-

Q. 1 – b. Only 2

Q. 2 – d. None of the other three options

Q. 3 – a. Only 1 and 4

Q. 4 – d. 1, 2 and 3

Q.5. – a. Only 1

The drone policy is not in line with ICAO standards as many countries are still experimenting with their drone regulations and no ICAO stands have been developed. Instead of simply digitizing a paper-based process for registering and operating drones, India has formulated an all-digital process. The Digital Sky Platform is the first-of-its-kind national unmanned traffic management (UTM) platform that implements “no permission, no takeoff” (NPNT). Users will be required to do a one-time registration of their drones, pilots and owners. For every flight (exempted for the nano category), users will be required to ask for permission to fly on a mobile app and an automated process permits or denies the request instantly. To prevent unauthorized flights and to ensure public safety, any drone without a digital permit to fly will simply not be able to takeoff. The UTM operates as a traffic regulator in the drone airspace and coordinates closely with the defense and civilian air traffic controllers (ATCs) to ensure that drones remain on the approved flight paths. Source: PIB.

The Union Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Suresh Prabhu announced the Drone Regulations 1.0. He said, these regulations will enable the safe, commercial usage of drones starting December 1, 2018. Drone Regulations 1.0 are intended to enable visual line-of-sight daytime-only and a maximum of 400 ft altitude operations. Air space has been partitioned into Red Zone (flying not permitted), Yellow Zone (controlled airspace), and Green Zone (automatic permission). As per the regulation, there are 5 categories of RPAS categorized by weight, namely nano, micro, small, medium and large. As of now, RPAS to operate within visual line of sight (VLoS), during day time only, and upto maximum 400 feet altitude. Source: PIB.

As per the regulation, there are 5 categories of Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) categorized by weight, namely nano, micro, small, medium and large. All RPAS except nano and those owned by NTRO, ARC and Central Intelligence Agencies are to be registered and issued with Unique Identification Number (UIN). Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit (UAOP) shall be required for RPA operators except for nano RPAS operating below 50 ft., micro RPAS operating below 200 ft., and those owned by NTRO, ARC and Central Intelligence Agencies. The mandatory equipment required for operation of RPAS except nano category are (a) GNSS (GPS), (b) Return-To-Home (RTH), (c) Anti-collision light, (d) ID-Plate, (e)  Flight controller with flight data logging capability, and (f) RF ID and SIM/ No-Permission No Take off (NPNT). As of now, RPAS to operate within visual line of sight (VLoS), during day time only, and upto maximum400 ft. altitude. For flying in controlled Airspace, filing of flight plan and obtaining Air Defence Clearance (ADC) /Flight Information Centre (FIC) number shall be necessary. Source: PIB.

As per the regulation, there are 5 categories of Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) categorized by weight, namely nano, micro, small, medium and large. All RPAS except nano and those owned by NTRO, ARC and Central Intelligence Agencies are to be registered and issued with Unique Identification Number (UIN). Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit (UAOP) shall be required for RPA operators except for nano RPAS operating below 50 ft., micro RPAS operating below 200 ft., and those owned by NTRO, ARC and Central Intelligence Agencies. The mandatory equipment required for operation of RPAS except nano category are (a) GNSS (GPS), (b) Return-To-Home (RTH), (c) Anti-collision light, (d) ID-Plate, (e)  Flight controller with flight data logging capability, and (f) RF ID and SIM/ No-Permission No Take off (NPNT). As of now, RPAS to operate within visual line of sight (VLoS), during day time only, and upto maximum 400 ft. altitude. For flying in controlled Airspace, filing of flight plan and obtaining Air Defence Clearance (ADC) /Flight Information Centre (FIC) number shall be necessary. Source: PIB.

Drones can be used for commercial purposes from December 2018 as per the new policy of the government. However, drones can operate within visual line of sight (VLoS), during day time only, and upto maximum 400 feet altitude. This would mean that companies like Amazon and Flipkart, which had plans to use drones for delivery of good, will have to wait for sometime till the government allows policy for it. “Air space management through automated operations linked into overall airspace management framework” is an issue that would be addressed under Drone Regulations 2.0 by the Drone Task Force under the chairmanship of the Minister of State Shri Jayant  Sinha. Source: Economic Times and PIB.