Digital Sky Platform has Over 10,000 Registered Commercial Drones

Digital Sky Platform has Over 10,000 Registered Commercial Drones
Digital Sky Platform Surpasses 10,000 Registered Commercial Drones

As of September 2024, 10,208 type-certified commercial drones were registered on the Digital Sky platform, according to information provided to the Parliament by Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol. In response to a query, the MoS stated that 96 type certificates had been granted thus far to various unmanned aircraft system (UAS) types by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) based on their "purpose." Of these, 31 are "logistics and surveillance-based," while 65 are based on agriculture. The internet platform used by the DGCA to oversee unmanned aircraft systems in India is called DigitalSky.

Additionally, he stated that around 86% of Indian airspace is "green" and open to drone operations. Three zones—red, yellow, and green—are designated for drone operations in Indian airspace under the current regulations. Drones with an "all-up weight" of up to 500 kg can operate in the green zone without any license. Red zones are designated as "no-drone zones," while yellow zones require approval from the relevant air traffic control authority.

The response also mentioned that there are currently 9,969 "airspace red zones" and 147 "airport red zones." He went on to say that there are 294 "airport yellow zones" overall, which are between 5 and 8 km and 8 and 12 miles.

DGCA to Chalk Regulatory Framework for VTOL and eVTOL

The DGCA intends to create a regulatory framework for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) and eVTOL aircraft, Mohol stated in response to a different query. Similar to a helicopter, an eVTOL is a battery-powered aircraft that can carry two to six people, including a pilot. Informally, they are known as flying taxis or air taxis.

The minister also stated that new requirements for advanced air mobility (AAM) solutions' operations, such as airworthiness/type certification, pilot certification and training, and other operational procedures, will be established by the new regulations. Vertiports, air routes, and other infrastructure required for safe and effective AAM operations would be built in accordance with the regulatory framework, Mohol continued.

Using Unmanned Aircraft Traffic Management (UTM) systems in conjunction with current Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems to optimise air traffic flow in the airspace, de-conflict the movements of multiple small aircraft, and integrate autonomous drones in the same airspace, the operations would be managed both strategically and tactically.

Government Collaborating With National and International Players

According to Mohol, discussions with a range of domestic and international stakeholders are presently taking place in order to provide guidance materials on a number of advanced air mobility-related topics. He went on to say that the DGCA is working on the subject in coordination with organisations like the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). 

This occurs at a time when the government is doing everything it can to support the domestic drone industry. To support the industry, the Centre announced the liberalised drone regulations in 2021. The Centre released the UAS certification program in 2022 in an effort to create a worldwide drone certification and accreditation system and implement suitable safety measures for commercial use. The ministry also changed the drone regulations last year, doing away with the need for a passport to register, de-register, and transfer drones.


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