The new rules in India, starting December 1, apply to drones greater than 2 kg in mass:
Owners and pilots will have to be registered, and permission will be required for each flight. Users will need to apply for permission on an app and digital permits will be given instantly through an automated process.
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As per this rule, users will be required to do a one-time registration of their drones, pilots and owners. For every flight (apart for the nano category), users will be required to ask for permission on a mobile app. Once a request is filed on the app an automated process would permit or deny the request instantly.
Flying drones to be legal in India from December 1
This action gives hints as to what regulators in other countries are thinking. We have seen similar ideas proposed in the U.K. and the U.S.
Note that in the model aircraft hobby, numerous small aircraft are more than 2 kg in mass. If a similar policy were adopted in the U.S., a flight plan and permission to fly would be required even to fly at a model aircraft airfield.
Model aircraft, like that shown here, typically weigh many pounds or equivalent to greater than 2 kg in mass.
