You can fly drones from today: All details here
What's the story
It had earlier been reported that individuals and companies would be legally allowed to fly drones in Indian airspace starting December 1, as per the Ministry of Civil Aviation's Drone Regulations 1.0.
Now that the day is here, the government has opened the registration process for users who want to operate drones.
Here's all you need to know about it.
Registration
Registration requirements for different types of drones
First things first. Do all drones have to be registered?
The answer is no. Nano drones weighing less than 250 grams will not have to be registered and such drone owners can start flying them from Saturday itself.
However, micro drones (250 grams to 2kg), small drones (2kg to 25kg), medium drones (25kg to 150kg), and large drones (150kg+) will have to be registered.
Information
Other details about registration
Apart from nano drone users, other drone users will thus have to complete the registration process via the Digital Sky Platform app and secure a unique identification number (UIN). Once registered, these drone users will be able to operate their drones from January 1.
Hardware
Hardware specifications for drones to be deemed air-worthy
However, that's not all.
Your drone also needs specific hardware requirements to be considered flight capable.
These include GPS tracking, an automated return-to-home function, anti-collision lights, a fireproof ID plate, a flight controller that can log flight data, and a RFID and SIM card.
Why a SIM? Reportedly, that's how the government will lock your drone down if you try to fly sans permission.
Permission
How you can obtain permission for flying drones
To legally fly drones for photography and other recreational purposes, drone operators, after the one-time registration, will have to obtain permission through the Digital Sky Platform.
The portal will be a first-of-its-kind unmanned traffic management system for India with a 'no permission, no take-off policy'.
The process will be automated, and near-instant.
No permission is needed for nano-drones.
Flight rules
Flight rules: Details about flight time, altitude, flight zones etc.
The Drone Regulations 1.0 specify that for now, only day-time drone flights will be allowed within visual line-of-sight, and at a maximum altitude of 400ft.
Additionally, airspace will be color coded and available for viewing on the Digital Sky Platform app.
Red indicates a no-fly zone, yellow indicates restricted airspace that requires multiple flight permits, and green has been designated as 'automatic permission' zones.
Information
Things to remember when flying in restricted airspace
For flying drones in restricted airspace, drone operators will have to file a flight plan and obtain Air Defense Clearance (ADC)/Flight Information Center (FIC) number. It should be noted that flying drones in no-fly zones will result in prosecution under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Looking ahead
The dawn of the drone era in India is here
Yet, all this is just the first step.
Next, the government is planning to create drone ports, and air corridors for drone-based transport of things like human organs for transplant.
Further, on January 15, 2019, the government will release the Drone Regulations 2.0, allowing the commercial use of drones as taxis and for deliveries.
The policy is expected to come into force in March.