RC India

Hi,

I'm pretty new to RC plane flying hobby and very thrilled to continue it. I'm in USA right now and bought a Champ RTF plane start with. I'm planning to buy a 6ch transmitter and receiver and buy new plane in India. I have few questions regarding bringing the transmitter and plane to india.

1. Are flying RC planes (no cameras) as a hobby permitted in India?
2. I've heard that RC planes are not permitted by customs in India. I dint get any concrete answers anywhere. Could someone please let me know if they have brought one to India from other countries recently?
3. Are radio transmitters and receivers of range 2.4 GHz permitted by customs and also allowed to use in India?

Thanks,
Harsha

Answers:

1. Maybe. Sometimes
2.  ""    ""      ""
3.  ""    ""      ""


In short, there is more uncertainty than certainty. This is the land of Heisenberg ;)

In the absence of clear definition, it is a risk. How reasonable a risk is impossible to state

Yes , As said earlier it is all uncertain , few months back I bought this Quanum Nova(HobbyKing Quad) while coming from Germany,luckily none bothered about it.

1> RC flying as a hobby is permitted under close guidance and associations. There are many organizations in different cities running the hobby in a disciplined and legal manner. You can contact the local RC group in your city
2> If you are carrying only the body of the plane with electronics and without Tx, you should be fine. You can legally argue with the customs if they deny
3> Tx in the range of 2.4Ghz are legally allowed but need to be WPC approved, which is diificult to get. So get the body and buy the Tx in India, safe bet

Well.... as far as I know... There is no ban on owing these items.  However the DGCA has given a letter banning flying of UAS (basically all types of aeromodels) and are in the process for formulating the required guidelines to allow it.  The draft apparently has been prepared and circulated to various security agencies. Its a matter of time when the authorisation to fly these models come out

However, we being a land of FREE people... every one having a post of authority deciphers each and every letter / authorisation in his won way of understanding it.  Hence the Customs have decided that they will not allow the UAS to be imported..... and are stopping everything which is being brought in.  However, in case someone is bringing the item himself they generally do not bother much.

Thank everyone for your responses, truly appreciate it! I have couple of more questions.

1. If I carry it, shall I pack the plane and tx in check-in baggage or carry it in my cabin bag?
2. In India are we only allowed to fly in flying clubs even the park flyers?

Thanks,
Harsha

It is better ,to have that in check in Luggage .I did the same thing everything came safe .Except a Lipo Battery I bought everything .

Hope this helps .