No licence required (Nano Drones)

If your drone is under 250grams
If you are flying on your own private land the drone may be up to 50 ft

No licence required ( Above 250 Grams and Below 2Kg)

As the Remote Pilot of a RPA, you must be well-versed with the CAR and the Do’s and Don’ts to understand what is required of you. You are primarily responsible for safe flight operations and please be aware of people, structures and entities in your flight plan that you could affect. Please register yourself, to get a Remote Pilot ID that will be required for permission to fly in NPNT complaint RPAs.

Licence required ( Above 2Kg)

As the Remote Pilot of a RPA, you must be well-versed with the CAR and the Do’s and Don’ts to understand what is required of you. You are primarily responsible for safe flight operations and please be aware of people, structures and entities in your flight plan that you could affect. Please register yourself, to get a Remote Pilot ID that will be required for permission to fly in NPNT complaint RPAs.

You are also required to get remote pilot training as per Section 9 of the CAR from an approved FTO.

What You Need to Do

• Ensure your Drones (except Nano in uncontrolled airspace upto 50ft) is Digital Sky “No Permission- No Take off” (NPNT) Compliant
• Obtain Unique Identification Number (UIN) from DGCA for operating in controlled airspace and affix it on your Drones
• Obtain Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit (UAOP), if applicable from DGCA for commercial operations and keep it handy
• Obtain Permission before each flight through Digital Sky Platform
• Ensure Drone is in good condition (not damaged) and fit for flying safely.
• Keep an eye on interference: Interference can be from mobile devices or blockage of signals, do watch out when flying your Drone.
• Fly only during daylight (after sunrise to before sunset)
• Fly in good weather: Good weather lets you not only fly your Drone better but also keep track of it in the air.
• Fly in visual line of sight (VLOS): Always be within visual range of your Drone.
• Follow Flying Guidelines
• Do your homework before spending the considerable money for a Drone. Make sure you clearly understand all operational and regulatory aspects.
• Be aware of Airspace Restrictions/ No Drone Zones
• Do stay away from airports and heliports
• Respect privacy of people
• Keep local police informed about your Drone flying activity. If you are ever approached by police provide all requisite information.
• Do log your flights and intimate concerned authorities (like DGCA, local police etc.) of any incidents/ accidents

What You Should not Do

• Don’t fly a Nano Drones above 50ft (15m) from the ground level
• Don’t fly a Micro Drones above 200ft (60m) from the ground level
• Don’t fly Drones more than 400ft (120m) from the ground level
• Don’t fly Drones near other aircraft (manned or unmanned)
• Don’t fly Drones near airports and heliports
• Don’t fly Drones over groups of people, public events, or stadiums full of people without permission
• Don’t fly Drones over government facilities/military bases or over/ near any no-RPA zones.
• Don’t fly Drones over private property unless permission is given.
• Don’t fly Drones in controlled airspace near airports without filing flight plan or AAI/ADC permission (at least 24 hours before actual operation).
• Don’t drop or carry hazardous material
• Don’t fly Drones under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Don’t fly Drones from a moving vehicle, ship or aircraft

When It Expires

Your approval from DGCA is valid for 5 years, it’s free to renew after 2 years

More Details

Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)/ Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS), commonly known as drones/ UAV, is a new addition to the aviation sector. This technology has promising effect on economic growth of India; both manufacturing and service industry.

As more people enter the commercial and recreational hobby RPA scene; the prospects for RPA accidents/ incidents also multiply. This applies not just to newcomers/ amateurs but even to professionals.

Here are some operational safety tips to ensure that you have a better and safer flying experience, not just for yourself but the people around you.

Operator Licence required

As an owner of a RPA, you must be well-versed with the CAR and the Do’s and Don’ts to understand what is required of you. Unless exempted by section 7.2 of the CAR, you will need a UAOP. Refer to Section 7 of the CAR for documentation required.

Please ensure that the RPA you are purchasing is an NPNT compliant RPA. You will only be able to generate UINs for NPNT Compliant RPA.

For imports, a clearance from DGFT is also required along with NPNT compliance. If the RPA is not a registered type in Digital Sky, you will also need to register as a manufacturer.

All owners of drones in India are required to enlist their drones.ALL unmanned aircraft need to be enlisted. For ample clarity, these include models, prototypes, toys, RC aircraft, autonomous and remotely piloted aircraft systems etc.The drone enlistment form has two parts. After uploading the drone owner’s information, the owner will receive an Ownership Acknowledgement Number (OAN). Using the OAN, the owner will upload the drone-related information and will receive a Drone Acknowledgement Number (DAN).

Each drone will require a fresh enlistment. Since a drone owner may have multiple drones, the owner shall use same OAN to enlist all drones owned by him. A separate DAN will be issued for each drone.

Ownership of a drone in India without a valid OAN and DAN shall invite penal action as per applicable laws.

Possession of an OAN or DAN does NOT confer the right to operate the drone in India. Kindly refer to Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR), Section 3 – Air Transport Series X, Part I, Issue I, dated 27 August, 2018 and other notifications issued by DGCA from time to time for information regarding ownership and operation of drones.

Manufacturer licence required

As a manufacturer, you must be well-versed with the CAR & RPAS Guidance Manual to understand compliance requirements before selling your RPA. You will need an IT Act-compliant digital certificate to register yourself.

To Build in India

As a manufacturer, you must be well-versed with the CAR & RPAS Guidance Manual to understand compliance requirements before selling your RPA. You will need an IT Act-compliant digital certificate to register yourself.

Any make of RPA you manufacture, assemble or import will need to be NPNT compliant. Digital copies of appropriate compliance certificates are needed to add your make of RPA. Once approved, your customers who are registered operators of your make of RPA, will be able to generate UINs.

To Import

As a manufacturer, you must be well-versed with the CAR & RPAS Guidance Manual to understand compliance requirements before selling your RPA. You will need an IT Act-compliant digital certificate to register yourself.

DGFT clearance is needed for importing RPAs.

More Details

Please visit Digital Sky Platform by DGCA INDIA