RC India

Hello members,
Most of the members here have probably gone through the set of rules that DGCA has approved and is going to be effective from 1st December'18. They have classified the RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, which by the definition includes the Planes & Helis too) in to several categories, out of which most people will be interested in
1. Nano category (Lighter than 250g)
2. Micro Category (Weighing between 250g and 2000g)
For more than 2Kg builds, we need a separate permit and that's another level of difficulty, so I want to discuss about these two here.

1. Nano: These don't need and permit provided they are flown below 50ft.
2. Micro: These RPAS needs a specific UIN for each model, and an intimation to the local police with an approval from the Digital Sky platform to fly. Max height attainable is 200ft.

Since, the system is going to be online from 1st December, most of us are eagerly waiting for that to jump into the application process. However, in order to issue UIN, several documents will be needed. Like

a. Contact details of owner, PAN card - No problem
b. Purpose & base of operation - Again not a problem
c. Specification of RPAS - No problem
d. Weight of compatible payload and maximum load carrying capacity of the RPA - No problem
e. RPA Flight Manual/ Manufacturer’s Operating Manual (as applicable) - No problem for the off the shelf models.
f.  Manufacturer’s maintenance guidelines for RPA (as applicable). - no problem for the off the shelf models.
g. Manufacturer’s Certificate of Compliance for NPNT - Big issue
h. Equipment Type Approval from WPC wing of DoT - Another big problem
i.  Security Clearance - no problem, as two ID proofs will suffice.

Regarding NPNT: No craft at present has that. DJI has No Fly Zones, but that is geo restricted, not restricted from the Govt. I don't know if the Red and Yellow Zones in the DJI Geo map change in accordance with the Govt.
Regarding ETA: I don't have any idea on how to procure one. Only RCB6i details page of RCBazaar says that radio is WPC Compliant. No other radio I have seen have such details.

Racing quads wont face any problem as they generally fly within a track they setup and not outside. The problem will be faced by the aerial Photographers. Lets not even talk about the scratch builds.

Does any person here know any DJI distributor who is trying to get things sorted? By procuring ETA and making things NPNT compliant?

Only option I see now is to stick to the Nano category for scratch builds. Hello brushed fellow, bye bye brushless :)

One more problem!  >:(  Fees for registration Rs.10000 or Rs.25000
This is also a problem.

That is for the permit required to fly aircrafts heavier than 2Kg, which most of us don't.

In the draft, they have given provision for locally purchased aircrafts too. So, how can there be a ETA for locally purchased aircrafts? That should rest with the dealer themselves, and they are not going to give that to us. That is a mystery.

40 size glow models typically weigh ~2.5kg...

The rules for anything above Nano are too painful. Need approval from both WPC and DGCA, also need to inform local police about flying, etc. I wish the Nano category was at least up to 700-800 gms we could fly small electric planes and mini brushless quads.

This is in reply to Dipanjan's original post points "g" & "h"

Manufacturer's certificate - not a problem if they allow self certification ... which is permissable under
discretion of "competent authority "


Equipment Type Approval - again not a problem if you can get a " waiver" from "competent authority"


bottom line is look on the bright side ... the sun is rising and soon your neighbourhood "Big Bazaar"
will be stocked with DJI drones

Asked DJI about the rf report to be submitted for ETA. They denied to provide it saying that best option is to contact the dealer in our country.
I guess I will have to sit tight only.

- the way the gov machinery works - is that there will surely be accredited 3rd parties who will
be able to provide a certificate that the Equipment in question meets all the requirements.
this will be accepted by DGCA.

Something similar to pollution testing in vehicles

Within (hopefully) short time - the seller of the drone will be able to provide such documentation.

The revenue generation potential of the whole drone market is huge.

Aeromodelling/Drone pilot community is not that vast to deserve at least one dedicated agent every city.
May be for the metro ones. Most probably local police station will handle the job.  

You need to get your drone complied with NPNT. Here is the complete guide for NPNT https://atomdrones.com/npnt-no-permission-no-take-off-complete-guide/.

Ha Ha Ha Ha.

In the old days we used to fly free-flight aircraft properly trimmed.

DGCA does not mention anything on such aircraft.

So let's go back to free flight.

We used to have DTs and timers for anti thermal action or engine run cutout.

DGCA does not specify that you cannot carry an Rx or batteries inside your aircraft.

In emergencies they may be activated briefly for safety reasons by using a fre-to-air 2.4 GHz system.

I do not think anybody in DGCA would stop you from taking emergency safety action.

By now you get the drift  ;D

Happy and safe flying