Will new drone registration rules fly or not?

RAWALPINDI: The Ministry of Aviation has finalized a clean framework to check in drones and unmanned plane, however the draft rules advanced for the motive have left stakeholders and specialists skeptical. They agree with the ‘indistinct’ nature of the proposed policies might throttle the overall use of such aerial device.

The draft guidelines, titled ‘Civil Unmanned Aircraft Rules, 2024’, are set to be offered before the federal cabinet for approval. The coverage targets to regulate drone usage throughout Pakistan, requiring all unmanned aerial motors (UAVs) to be registered with the federal authorities. The regulations will apply to both model or toy plane and tethered balloons underneath 2 hundred ft above ground degree.

UAVs are classified into 4 categories based totally on their maximum take-off weight: class-I (as much as 250 grams), category-II (250 grams to 10 kilograms), class-III (10kg to 25kg), and category-IV (25kg to 100kg). Unmanned vehicles with a maximum take-off weight above 100kg may be deemed ‘manned aircraft’.

Experts criticize the arbitrary type of UAVs by way of weight, noting it lacks purpose and deviates from global requirements, which take into account traits like wings and propellers. The new policies are also “less specific” and “skimps on” technical components as compared to previous policies.

Operating Conditions

No person can fly class II, III, and IV UAVs until they have got submitted operation-related facts on CAA’s electronic machine. This requirement is visible as “unenforceable” and would upload vastly to the CAA’s workload. No permission is wanted if UAVs perform below “widespread conditions,” defined as flights inside authorized airspace, inside the operator’s visible line-of-sight, not better than 2 hundred feet above floor degree, and all through daylight.

For non-popular conditions, operators need to observe for permission from the “Director General” (DG) or a certified officer. Operators of drones in categories II, III, and IV will need a “Remote Pilot Licence” from the CAA. The guidelines limit flights into “confined airspace” with out prior written permission.

Registering Unmanned Aircraft

Every UAV have to be registered with the CAA before operation, with registration renewed every three years. Registered unmanned plane will acquire a completely unique identifier. Registration packages must be submitted to the DG, who will determine within 60 days. Importing category-III and IV drones will require clearance from the Ministry of Defence. Violators can also face penalties, which include fines up to Rs100,000 and additional each day fines for persevered contravention.

‘Not Drafted by using Aviation Experts’

An aviation expert criticized the policy for no longer particularly nominating each person to address registration and permission problems and for lacking statistics on the labeled UAVs. They consider the guidelines, if permitted, will negatively impact cinematographers, hobbyists, and novice drone enthusiasts throughout the u . S . A ..