NCAA moves to regulate operation of drones

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has decried the proliferation and illegal use of drones in the nation’s airspace.

The aviation regulatory body, via a guideline issued yesterday, reiterated that the Remotely Piloted Aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (RPAs/UAVs) were strictly regulated and as such, their operations in the country must be approved by the NCAA and the Office of National Security Adviser (NSA).

NCAA’s spokesman, Sam Adurogboye, in a statement yesterday, said in recent times, RPA/UAV were being deployed for commercial and recreational purposes without requisite security clearance.

Aderogboye said with their preponderance, particularly in a non-segregated airspace, there was need to put in place proactive safety guidelines.

He further observed that the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) was yet to publish Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) as far as certification and operation of civil use of RPA were concerned.

However, the NCAA has put in place a Regulations/Advisory Circular to guide the certification and operations of civil RPAs in the country. The circular is in line with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs 2015 Part 8.8.1.33) and Implementing Standards (Nig.CARs 2015 Part IS.8.8.1.33).

“Therefore, no government agency, organisation or an individual will launch an RPA/UAV in the Nigerian airspace for any purpose whatsoever without obtaining requisite approvals/permits from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Office of National Security Adviser (NSA),” the statement read in part.

Adurogboye reiterated that all applicants and holders of permits to operate RPAs/drones must strictly be guided by safety guidelines.