Question: Recently, Directorate of Civil Aviation announced draft regulations on civil use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems. As per the draft Civil Aviation Requirements for Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), the drones have been classified in how many categories on the basis of their maximum take-off weight?
(a) 3
(b) 4
(c) 5
(d) 6
Answer: (c)
Related Facts:
- On November 1st, 2017, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation announced the regulations on civil use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems.
- As per the draft Civil Aviation Requirementsthe drones have been classified in 5 categories as follows on the basis of their maximum take-off weight: (1) Nano- Less than or equal to 250 gm (2) Micro- Greater than 250 gm and less than or equal to 2 kg (3) Mini- Greater than 2 kg and less than or equal to 25 kg (4) Small- Greater than 25 kg and less than or equal to 150 kg (5) Large – Greater than 150 kg.
- As per the draft regulation all drones are proposed to be operated in visual line of sight, during day time only and below 200 feet.
- Dropping of any substance, carriage of hazardous material or animal or human payload will not be permitted.
- All commercial categories of drones except those in the Nano category and those operated by government security agencies, will have to be registered by DGCA as per ICAO proposed policy, in the form of Unique Identification Number (UIN).
- The Mini and above categories will require Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit (UAOP).
- The draft regulation also specifies certain restricted areas for operations of drones.
- Drones cannot be operated within an area of 5km from airport, within permanent or temporary Prohibited, Restricted and Danger Areas as notified by AAI in AIP and without prior approval.
- Areas or over or near an area, which are densely populated affecting public safety or where emergency operations are underway and within 50 km from international border and beyond 500 m (horizontal) into sea along the coastline.
- Drones cannot be operated within 5 km radius from Vijay Chowk in Delhi and from a mobile platform such as a moving vehicle, ship or aircraft.
Reference:
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=173164
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/aviation-ministry-to-issue-draft-regulations-for-use-of-uavs/article19960257.ece