These aim to make drone operations simpler for civilian drone operators.
Several requirements and approvals have been abolished which includes:
> Unique authorisation number, unique prototype identification number, certificate of manufacturing and airworthiness, operator permit etc.
> Number of forms reduced from 25 to 5 and types of fees from 72 to 4.
> The coverage of these rules has been increased to cover drones up to 500 kg in weight from 300 kg earlier.
> The quantum of fees, which was earlier linked to the size of drone, has been reduced and delinked from the size.
> For instance, the remote pilot license fee has been reduced from INR 3000 (for large drone) to INR 100 for all categories of drones; and is valid for 10 years.
Digital sky platform shall be developed as a user-friendly single-window system. There will be minimal human interface and most permissions will be self-generated.
Interactive airspace map with green, yellow and red zones shall be displayed on the digital sky platform
Green Zone :
> No permission is required for operating drones with an all-up weight of up to 500 kg in green zones. Green zone means the airspace
> Up to 400 feet that has not been designated as a red or yellow zone, and
> Up to 200 feet above the area located between 8-12 km from the perimeter of an operational airport.
Yellow zone :
> Drone operations in yellow zone require permission from the concerned air traffic control authorities — which could be either the Airports Authority of India, the Indian Air Force, the Indian Navy, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, etc as the case may be.
Yellow zone is the airspace Above 400 feet in a designated green zone, and Above 200 feet in the area located between 8-12 km from the perimeter of an airport (Earlier the perimeter was 45 km), Above ground in the area located between 5-8 km from the perimeter of an airport.
Red zone:
Red zone is the ‘no-drone zone’ within which drones can be operated only after a permission from the Central government.
No remote pilot licence required for micro drones (for noncommercial use) and nano drones. Classification of drones is as follows:
Nano drone: Less than or equal to 250 grams;
Micro drone: Greater than 250 grams and less than or equal to 2 kilograms;
Small drone: Greater than 2 kilograms and less than or equal to 25 kilograms;
Medium drone: Greater than 25 kilograms and less than or equal to 150 kilograms;
Large drone: Greater than 150 kilograms
No requirement for security clearance before issuance of any registration or licence.
No restriction on foreign ownership in Indian drone companies.
No import clearance required from DGCA though import of drones will be regulated by DGFT.
Safety and security features like ‘No permission – no take-off’ (NPNT), real-time tracking beacon, geo-fencing etc. will also be notified soon.