Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have provided a conditional exemption to ICAR – Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research (llSR), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh for conducting the trials to evaluate drone spraying solution for controlling pest and diseases of sugarcane crop using drones.
Conditions and Limitations for Exemption
- The llSR should get clearances from (a) Ministry of Defence (b) Local Administration (c) Ministry of Home Affairs (d) Airport Authority or India (AAI) (e) Air Defence Clearance from Indian Air Force and (f) Ministry of Agriculture for operating Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS).
- M s General Aeronautics engaged by llSR (through Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.) should only operate the RPAS models.
- Only trained I experienced bona fide personnel should operate the RPAS as per the approved SOP.
- RPAS operator shall maintain the records of each RPA flight and make such records available to the DGCA on demand.
- llSR shall lake necessary permission (if required] regarding Aerial Photography from Directorate of Regulations & information, DGCA under Rule 13 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937. The photographs/video-graphs, if taken through RPAS shall be used by llSR only. llSR shall be responsible for safely and security of RPAS and data collected through RPAS. llSR shall adhere to DST Guidelines for acquiring and producing geospatial data and geospatial data services including maps (if applicable).
- The operation of RPAS shall be restricted to day operations (from Sunrise to Sunset}, within Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) in uncontrolled airspace only and at a height of a maximum of 20ft from AGL.
- RPAS shall not be operated in the vicinity of the airport. If it is necessary then approval must be taken from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and/or the concerned airport/airfield operator.
The exemption will be valid till 30th November 2021 from the date of issue of the permission letter or until the Digital Sky Platform becomes operational, whichever is earlier. This exemption shall be valid only if all conditions and limitations are followed by ICAR – Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research (llSR), Lucknow. In case of violation of any condition, this exemption shall become null and void.