About: The Ministry of Civil Aviation has released the Unmanned Aircraft System Rules, 2021, which have come into effect on 15th March, 2021.2 These Rules replace the Civil Aviation Requires (CAR) on Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) which have regulated the space since 2018 and bring in several changes for the industry.
Some key highlights:
- UAS categorised as airplane, rotorcraft and hybrid with further categorisation as remotely piloted aircraft, model remotely piloted aircraft and autonomous unmanned aircraft system.
- UAS classified as nano, micro, small, medium and large unmanned aircraft based on the maximum all up weight including its pay load ranging from <250gram to 150 kilograms.
- Nano UAs can be classified in the next higher category if it exceeds performance parameters of flight speed and height.
- Mandatory for individuals and companies to obtain approval from the DGCA to import, manufacture, trade, own or operate drones
- No Permission- No Take-off (NPNT) policy adopted for all UAS except for those in the nano category.
- Micro and small UAS are not permitted from flying above 60m and 120 m, respectively.
