Question : Registration of Drones

(a) whether the Government is likely to begin the registration process for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) or drones soon, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(b) whether there are no regulations at present for the usage of drones in terms of altitude, endurance and categorisation and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government is planning to draft regulations for the usage of drones in terms of altitude, endurance and categorisation in the near future; and

(d) if so, the details thereof, and if not, the reasons therefor?

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

(a) to (d) The Aircraft Rules, 1937 have been amended to include Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS), one subset of Unmanned Aircraft System. As per Rule 15A of Aircraft Rules 1937, provision is to issue Unique Identification Number (UIN) and Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit (UAOP). The Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) on "Requirements for operations of Civil Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPASs)" will be notified on the website of DGCA shortly. As per the draft CAR, categorisation of RPAS is done as per maximum take-off weight which covers, altitude, endurance and range, etc.