Aviation: Flying a drone can cost you dear if you are found in this state

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has recently announced that it will be issuing licence for flying of drones starting December 1. However, be warned that if you are found flying a drone in a drunken state, then you are in big trouble. The new DGCA licence norms may have a clause against drunken droning, and those who do so are likely to forfeit their licence or pay fine, said a DNA report.
 
Notably, pilots flying aircraft under influence of alcohol during the breath analyser test, which is undertaken before every flight, lose their flying licence or issued warning. The same clause will reportedly be applicable to those operating a drone.

The list of don’ts also includes keeping your drones away from airports/heliports, public gatherings, events or stadiums without permission, besides delivery of goods and food items using drones is also a strict ‘no’ as of now. 
 
An official from DGCA told DNA, “We have not decided on how much the fine will be or whether after how many warnings the licence for flying drone under influence of alcohol or drugs will be. However, it will certainly be decided within due course of time. Also, these conditions will be made clear, and will be binding after the issuance of licence in the agreed conditions.”
 
When asked how will it ascertained that the drone operator is under influence of alcohol or drugs, the DGCA official reportedly said, “The law enforcing agency here will be police, considering one has to inform local police before flying of drones. Once the police book them, we can take action like levying fine or cancelling licence.”
 
Meanwhile, BS Bhullar, director general of DGCA, didn’t comment on drunken droning when DNA tried to contact him.

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Earlier on Monday, Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu had announced the drone policy.