Question : Regulation on Use of Drones

(a) the number of cases of drones Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) which are a hazard for aeroplanes detected around airports across the country during the last three years and current year, year-wise;

(b) whether the Union Government has formulated any action plan for neutralizing drones, banning the use of drone cameras around airports across the country and if so, the details thereof;

(c) the number of complaints in this regard received from pilots across the country and the efforts being made by the government to curb such incidents which are a grave threat to flight safety;

(d) whether the Government has published Draft Guidelines on drone regulation taking into account international standards;

(e) whether Government agencies and private players are allowed to use drones for purposes such as monitoring oilfields and coalfields, if so the details of the Government and private organizations
which currently use drones for their operations; and

(f) whether the Government has any proposal to introduce a licensing system for operation of drones/unmanned aerial vehicles and if so, the details thereof?

The Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Jayant Sinha)

(a) The number of cases of drones (UFOs) which are a hazard for aeroplanes, detected around airports across the country, year-wise, are as below:
2014 : Nil
2015 : 02
2016 : 09;
2017 (till 15.12.17) : 18;

(b) DGCA has restricted the civil use of drones/ unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) by non-Government agencies, organizations or individual until a dedicated Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) comes into effect. ;

(c) No such information is available with this Ministry.;

(d) No dedicated international standard is available as of now. However, the guidelines published by ICAO, and regulations of drones developed by various civil aviation authorities were analyzed during formulation of draft Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) on operations of Remotely Piloted Aircraft System.;

(e) Only Government Agencies/ PSUs were issued no-objections for operation of civil UAS for various purposes. Details have been enclosed at Annexure-A.;

(f) There is no proposal to introduce any licensing system. However, in the draft CAR there is a provision for issuance of Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit (UAOP) above certain weight category of drones.