How to become Drone Pilot in India?
To become a Drone Pilot / Remote Pilot in India, You need to meet the following requirement:
- Must be at least 18 Years old
- Passed 10th Standard or Equivalent
- Undergo training at DGCA authorised Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO)
- Meet the competency requirements of RPTO in theory and practical flying sessions
Let’s Discuss
the Drone Pilot /
Remote Pilot Certificate in Detail.
To obtain a remote pilot license in India:
- Eligibility criteria: A person who is at least 18 years old, has passed 10th standard or equivalent examination, and has undergone ground training and practical training from an authorized remote pilot training organization.
- Application process: A person who meets the eligibility criteria can apply for a remote pilot license through the Digital Sky Platform. The applicant has to submit the following documents:
- Proof of identity and address (Passport is Not Mandatory)
- Medical fitness certificate from a qualified medical practitioner
- Certificate of completion with Skill Test Report of ground training and practical training from the remote pilot training organization
- Validity and renewal: A remote pilot license is valid for 10 years from the date of issue. It can be renewed by submitting an application along with the required documents and fees at least 30 days before the expiry date. The applicant has to undergo a refresher training and a skill test before the renewal.
- Suspension and cancellation: A remote pilot license can be suspended or cancelled by the Director General of Civil Aviation for any of the following reasons:
- Violation of the Drone Rules, 2021 or any other applicable law
- Endangerment of public safety or security
- False or misleading information in the application
- Incompetence or incapacity to operate a remotely piloted aircraft system
- Medical unfitness or mental impairment
Drones / Remote Pilot Aircraft System Types
The categories and classification of unmanned aircraft systems or drones are as follows:
- The unmanned aircraft systems or drones are classified into Three Categories based on their aerodynamic characteristics, namely:
- Airplane: A heavier-than-air aircraft that derives its lift mainly from aerodynamic forces acting on surfaces that remain fixed during flight and that operates within specified flight conditions.
- Rotorcraft: A heavier-than-air aircraft that derives its lift mainly from vertical-axis rotating rotors during flight and that is capable of vertical take-off and landing.
- Hybrid unmanned aircraft: A heavier-than-air aircraft that derives its lift from aerodynamic forces acting on non-rotating airfoils for cruise flight and from vertical-lift devices or rotating airfoils for take-off and landing.
- The airplane, rotorcraft and hybrid unmanned aircraft are further sub-classified based on their maximum all-up-weight, including payload, as follows:
- Nano: Less than or equal to 250 grams.
- Micro: Greater than 250 grams and less than or equal to 2 kilograms.
- Small: Greater than 2 kilograms and less than or equal to 25 kilograms.
- Medium: Greater than 25 kilograms and less than or equal to 150 kilograms.
- Large: Greater than 150 kilograms.