Drones

New Delhi, 16 August 2021: Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have granted conditional exemption from Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Rules, 2021 to 10organizations. The detail of these permissions include: 1.Government of Karnataka : Drone based aerial survey for creating urban property ownership records in Bengaluru 2.National Health Mission, Mumbai: For conducting experimental BVLOS drone flights to deliver essential healthcare items in tribal areas of Jawhar in Palghar district of Maharashtra 3.Gangtok Smart City Development : Drone based aerial survey for Smart City Project 4.Steel Authority of India, IISCO Steel Plant, Burnpur, West Bengal: For conducting perimeter surveillance of the plant 5.Asia Pacific Flight Training Academy, Hyderabad, Telangana: For conducting remote pilot training using drones 6.Blue Ray Aviation, Gujarat : For conducting remote pilot training using drones 7.Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited, Chennai: For conducting drone based aerial spraying to assess crop health & prevent crop disease 8.Mahindra & Mahindra, Mumbai, Maharashtra: For conducting drone based agricultural trials & precision spraying on paddy & hot pepper crop in the state of Telangana & Andhra Pradesh respectively 9.Bayer Crop Science, Mumbai, Maharashtra: For conducting drone based agricultural research activities & agricultural spraying 10.Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune For atmospheric research at these 5 locations: -IITM Bhopal; NDA, Pune; Karad Airpor; -Osmanabad Airport; Mohammed Airfield, Farrukhabad. These exemptions are valid for a period of one year from the date of approval or until further orders, whichever is earlier and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the SOP issued by DGCA.

26 July 2021: United Kingdom SAMAD Aerospace,a green technology start-up based in Cranfield in the United Kingdom announced that it has completed hover tests for its second prototype eVTOL eStarling aircraft.Designed for intercity transport, the eStarling aircraft will combine a helicopter’s vertical ability to take off and land from almost anywhere, with the speed and range of a business jet. With a semi blended wing body (BWB) design and powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), the eStarling will be the fastest hybrid electric eVTOL aircraft in the world with the longest range. The eStarling has a cruising speed of 300 MPH and range of 800 Miles, which can reach the highest speeds of any eVTOL aircraft. It can transport passengers avoiding the need to travel to and from airports. Previous testing has developed conventional take-off and landing of the prototype. Recent tethered hover tests followed by full hover tests demonstrated a very agile and stable prototype with hovering and helicopter moves.This month’s hover tests were performed over a crane system, and they focused on the validation of the flight control system in hovering mode. The aircraft consumed 65% of the available power to take off and hover with a healthy power surplus for adverse weather conditions. Speaking on this development from UK, Dr. Seyed Mohseni, CEO of SAMAD Aerospace, said:“The importance of these recent flight tests is the initial validation of autopilot that has been developed by the SAMAD Aerospace team.”

New Delhi, 15 July 2021: Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has released the updated Drone Rules, 2021 for public consultation. Built on a premise of trust, self-certification, and non-intrusive monitoring, The Drone Rules, 2021 will replace the UAS Rules 2021 (released on 12 March 2021). The last date for receipt of public comments is 5 August 2021. Key takeaways from the Draft Drone Rules, 2021 include: 1. Approvals abolished: unique authorisation number, unique prototype identification number, certificate of conformance, certificate of maintenance, import clearance, acceptance of existing drones, operator permit, authorisation of R&D organisation, student remote pilot licence, remote pilot instructor authorisation, drone port authorisation etc. 2. Number of forms reduced from 25 to 6. 3. Fee reduced to nominal levels. No linkage with the size of the drone. 4. Safety features like ‘No permission – no take-off’ (NPNT), real-time tracking beacon, geo-fencing etc. to be notified in future. A six-month lead time will be provided for compliance. 5. Digital sky platform shall be developed as a business-friendly single-window online system. 6. There will be minimal human interface on the digital sky platform and most permissions will be self-generated. 7. Interactive airspace map with green, yellow, and red zones will be displayed on the digital sky platform. 8. Yellow zone reduced from 45 km to 12 km from the airport perimeter. 9. No flight permission required upto 400 feet in green zones and upto 200 feet in the area between 8 and 12 km from the airport perimeter. 10. No pilot licence required for micro drones (for non-commercial use), nano drone and for R&D organisations. 11. No restriction on drone operations by foreign-owned companies registered in India. 12. Import of drones and drone components to be regulated by DGFT. 13. No security clearance required before any registration or licence issuance. 14. No requirement of certificate of airworthiness, unique identification number, prior permission and remote pilot licence for R&D entities. 15. Coverage of drones under Drone Rules, 2021 increased from 300 kg to 500 kg. This will cover drone taxis also. 16. All drone training and testing to be carried out by an authorised drone school. DGCA shall prescribe training requirements, oversee drone schools and provide pilot licences online. 17. Issuance of Certificate of Airworthiness delegated to Quality Council of India and certification entities authorised by it. 18. Manufacturer may generate their drone’s unique identification number on the digital sky platform through the self- certification route. 19. Easier process prescribed for transfer and deregistration of drones. 20. Standard operating procedures (SOP) and training procedure manuals (TPM) will be prescribed by DGCA on the digital sky platform for self-monitoring by users. No approvals required unless there is a significant departure from the prescribed procedures. 21. Maximum penalty under Drone Rules, 2021 reduced to INR 1 lakh. This shall, however, not apply to penalties in respect of violation of other laws. 22. Drone corridors will be developed for cargo deliveries. 23. Drone promotion Council to be set up to facilitate a business-friendly regulatory regime. https://www.civilaviation.gov.in/sites/default/files/Draft_Drones_Rules_14_Jul_2021.pdf Source: PIB

Written By Wing Commander S Vijay (Veteran) Vaccination drive for COVID-19 is going to be a gigantic task even though India has a well-structured vaccination delivery system owing to its universal immunisation programmes. While the country has the world’s largest railways and road networks but a new, efficient mode of transporting vaccines would be required to overcome the logistical challenges considering the fact that India is a vast country with 67% of population lives in rural India. This is where a drone-based distribution system plays a vital role. Using drones could make delivery of critical medicines, vaccines especially to remote areas, more accessible and faster. Using drones to deliver medical supplies will help in better resource management of the limited supplies and facilitate just-in-time delivery to the current supply chain system. The smart inventory management and overcoming stock out issues can help lighten the current burden and deal with the crisis efficiently. In fact, many countries in Africa are using drones to deliver vaccines. There are instances of drone usage in emergency situations in India as well. Hence there is a need to think beyond the conventional methods and adopt the rapid drone delivery system for transportation of vaccines and emergency medicines to tackle life threatening diseases. Just like emergency usage of vaccination was granted, emergency usage of drone deliveries could also be permitted in the health care sector. Also, the policy makers need to acknowledge the fact that drones are rapidly revolutionizing the healthcare landscape by making faster delivery of critical lifesaving medicines. The effectiveness of these unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) with advanced models can effectively deal with tremendous pressure piling on the global healthcare sector. Today some of the most exciting potential applications come from the use of drones in the healthcare and medical deliveries. Drones are effectively delivering biologicals like blood, serums, viral culture, vaccines and organs in fastest and safest manner which is helping in saving millions of lives. Appreciating its sweeping influence on future medical services, the healthcare industry is leaving no stone unturned to position drones for medical use. While the modern healthcare system represents some of the greatest achievements of the human intellect to improve the quality of people’s lives. Yet, in this modern age, many people in rural and underdeveloped quarters of the world still lack access to basic healthcare. Closing these gaps has gained a new urgency during the current pandemic. With the use of drones’ health workers can easily place orders by text message or call and promptly receive their deliveries in 30 minutes on average. Medical drones could fly into these remote areas with supplies that are tailored to the situation. Deliveries can be made from the sky, with the drone descending to a safe height above the drop zone and releasing a box of medicine by parachute or by landing at a designated spot near to health centres it serves. Therefore, it is high time we think of a future where packages would reach in minutes instead of hours/days. Drones for healthcare logistics have recently seen a range of landmark moments. Drones have already been used with great success in places like Haiti, where they delivered much-needed aid packages after the 2010 earthquake. In the event of a serious disaster, drones could take to the skies with the supplies that are essential to keeping individuals alive and healthy, even for extended periods of time. From medications to water and emergency rations, drones get the supplies to the affected areas quickly without the agonizingly long wait that can occur when roads are cut off and airports are shut down. Also, a research report led by John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health indicated that drones in the medical field have the possibility of improving vaccination rates and aid in various immunization programs held globally. This is true especially at a time with the rapid rising covid cases which is leading to an acute shortage of healthcare workers and facilities. With medical drones allowed to do deliveries and entrepreneurs push for new ways to utilize the technology, we can soon expect a faster, cheaper method of delivery of things that we need most, even during the most crucial moments of an emergency situation. Delivery of vaccines and medical supplies utilizing drones is not a new idea. World has already witnessed that the drones can be extremely helpful in remote locations where there’s a lack of proper infrastructure, connectivity and motorable roads. There are numerous advantages of using drones in healthcare, they can save lives, time, money, and human labour. There are drone models that are completely autonomous and can fly as per the pre fed flight plans without the need for any human intervention and monitoring. In the light of the above its high time that the Indian government needs to make an empowering policy milieu where the use of drones can become mainstream which will help warrant that most of its terrestrial spread can receive adequate medical coverage. Initiatives need to be taken in the country to create a system for medical drone procurement and to bridge key healthcare gaps. (The writer is Chief Operating Officer of Skye Air Mobility. Views expressed are personal.) AW Feature: May-June 21

Germany, 25 May 2021: Sensor solutions provider HENSOLDT is vigorously pushing ahead with the development of a collision warning system for civil and military drones.After the radar sensor as the core element of a collision warning system was successfully tested in flight as part of the ProSA-n (military) and KoKo2 (civil) study programmes, work on the software required for interaction with an autopilot is well advanced. As early as this summer, a demonstrator of the collision warning system is to prove in flight tests that the sensor performance and the software-supported avoidance logic correspond correctly with the autopilot. “We have progressed faster than expected with our ‘Detect & Avoid’ radar,” says Erwin Paulus, head of HENSOLDT’s radar division. “In the meantime, the complete functional chain from detection and classification to the initiation of avoidance manoeuvres is working so reliably that we are sure we will be able to demonstrate a basic system for autonomous flying in the summer.” HENSOLDT has also been involved in the EUDAAS (= European Detect and Avoid System) programme, in which several European companies are developing a concept for bringing large military medium altitude/long endurance (MALE) drones, such as the Eurodrone recently released by the German parliament, into European airspace. HENSOLDT’s “detect-and-avoid” radar uses the latest Active Electronically Scanning Array (AESA) technology, which allows multiple detection tasks to be performed simultaneously and enables very rapid target detection. The scalable radar can be used in large military drones as well as on board smaller civilian drones.

New Delhi The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) & Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)have granted conditional exemption to the Government of Telangana for conducting experimental Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone flights for delivery of vaccines. Exemption from Unmanned Aircraft System {UAS) Rules, 2021 has been granted as part of government’s constant endeavour to enhance the scope of drone usage in the country and assist the nation to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.Last month, the Government of Telangana was granted conditional exemption for conducting experimental delivery of Covid-19 vaccines within Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) Range using drones. To accelerate the drone deployment process to formulate application-based models, the grant has been extended to Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS). The trials may commence by end of May 2021. This exemption shall be subject to complete adherence to the conditions as stated in Annexure 1 and the directions/ exemptions issued (or to be issued in future) by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA). This exemption shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of approval of the SOP or until further orders, whichever is earlier. Earlier this month, 20 consortia were also granted permission to conduct Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) experimental flights of drones. BVLOS trials will help create the regulatory framework for drone deliveries and other major applications. Annexure 1 Conditions for conducting experimental BVLOS drone flights for delivery of vaccines by Government of Telangana. 1. Before the commencement of BVLOS trial flights, each Consortium shall develop and submit the following documents to DGCA for approval: a) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for BVLOS operations b) SOP for coordinating with Air Traffic Control(ATC) and Indian Air Force (IAF) in normal situations and contingencies such as Command and Control (C2) lost-link. 2. Security clearance of the entities involved (other than Government entities), personnel involved and the proposed airspaces, shall be obtained from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). 3. The maximum permitted height for drone operations is 400 feet Above Ground Level (AGL). Energy reserve of 15% of flight time should be provisioned for. 4. Before the commencement of BVLOS trial flights, each Consortium should conduct a hazard identification and risk management (HIRM) workshop involving all stakeholders. BVLOS trials should be attempted only after all risks are mitigated to an acceptable levelof safety. 5. Drone pilots shall hold a valid certificate of training and have sufficient experience in drone operations. A safe VLOS record of the drone operator and the remote pilot are mandatory requirements. 6. Before commencement of the trials, clearance from IAF and local administration shall be obtained. 7. The Government of Telangana shall post a Single Point Coordinator (SPC) at Shamshabad ATC for the entire duration of the trial flights to ensure smooth coordination with ATC. 8. A Flight Plan should be filed for each trial BVLOS flight with Shamshabad ATC;and Flight Information Centre (FIC) number and Air Defence Clearance (ADC) number shall be obtained. 9. The Government of Telangana shall initiate a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) in coordination with General Manager (ATM), AAI, Shamshabad. 10. Drone operations shall be limited between local sunrise and local sunset. Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) should prevail at take-off and landing sites. Weather limitations stipulated by the drone manufacturer shall be complied with. 11. The drones used for BVLOS trial flights should satisfy the following requirements: a)Type – Micro or Small category rotary wing drone b)Valid Drone Acknowledgement Number (DAN). c)Sufficient endurance for long-range operations d)Capability to withstand adverse weather e)Capability to transmit identity and live trajectory information f) Carriage of a barometric sensor on-board g)Capability to carry out geo-fencing, Return to Home (RTH) and Automatic Flight Termination.¬¬ h)Capability to conduct autonomous operations i)Conspicuous with bright colours and flashing strobe lights j)360-degrees Collision avoidance system to avoid terrain and obstacles k)Detect and Avoid System (DAA) to detect and avoid manned and unmanned aircraft I)Display of drone pilot to provide live trajectory, manned aircraft information, DAA information and FirstPerson View (FPV), with visual/ audio alerts 12.Payload should be restricted to the proposed use-case. During the trials, drone shall not drop or discharge substances and shall not transport any hazardous material. 13.Each Consortium engaged in BVLOS trial operations should establish basic UAS Traffic Management (UTM) infrastructure for real-time management of the flights and provide situational awareness data to ATC and IAF units, as required. 14.Each Consortium shall ensure that the UAS operations are insured against any accidents leading to injury/ death of uninvolved persons or damage to property. 15.Government of India and its entities shall not be held liable for any loss or damage to any entity whatsoever, during the conduct of such trials. 16.Each Consortium shall indemnify Government of India and its entities from any loss on account of any claim by third party (including but not limited to cost of litigation) which may arise due to any act of the Consortium during the conduct of such trials. 17.This permission for BVLOS trial flights shall not be used for any commercial purpose. 18.Upon completion of the trials, the Government of Telangana shall submit a detailed Proof of Concept to MoCA and DGCA. It is expected that the level of documentation and supporting justification would be proportionate to the level of complexity of the proposed BVLOS drone operation. News Source: PIB( Pix used for representation only)