Just like satellites form a mesh around Earth today, buzzing drones will soon fill the sky. But unlike remote-controlled toy planes, drones are drawing increasing attention from governments, leading to numerous laws and regulations—except for nano drones flown below 50 feet, which remain largely exempt. Here is a guide on how to become a certified drone operator.
Why needed?
Drones are making their presence felt in agriculture, construction, media and logistics. With the continuous rise in the demand for drone pilots, getting drone pilot training in India is important for people looking to become drone pilots.
Eligibility
To enroll in a drone flight course in India, a minimum age of 18 years is set by the authorities. A 10th or equivalent certification is mandatory for a person to become a drone pilot in India. Upon submitting the application, one should have all the required documents. You must provide two categories of documents: ID proofs and address proofs. To confirm your identity, you should present a government-issued document such as an Aadhaar Card, Driving License, Passport, or Voter ID. Additionally, you need to submit a valid address proof when filing an application for a drone pilot license. This includes bank statements, utility bills, or documents displaying current address.
Certification needed
Doing drone pilot training from a DGCA-approved RPTO is mandatory. A certificate proves that one is trained and knowledgeable about drone operations. There are two types of drone certifications available in India, which are:
Small RPC: This drone training course spans 5 days, and after that, one becomes a DGCA certified Drone Pilot, eligible to operate drones up to 25 kg.
Medium RPC: The duration of this training course is 5 days for freshers and 2 days for Small RPC holders. After taking this course, one is eligible to operate drones up to 50 kg.
Guidelines
Some areas are such where drone operations are not permitted under the law. These are airports, government buildings, military installations, and densely populated urban areas. Compliance with DGCA guidelines is important for getting a drone pilot license. Violating these can result in penalties or even license revocation. Staying updated with regulation changes will help to make sure that one remains compliant always.
Work Profile
You must conduct safety tests and ensure the safe operation of the RPAS and its equipment before the actual flight, since no one wants to damage their costly RPAS due to carelessness. By doing so, you also gain the added advantage of demonstrating your legitimacy and securing a place in the national database, where any proprietor or company can reach out to you for a job—or you can independently enjoy the freedom to fly anywhere, except in No-Fly Zones.
Benefits
Monitoring of Agricultural Fields is important. Drones equipped with cameras are used to monitor crop health and optimize farming practices. They capture aerial photos and videos for property listings, weddings, and corporate events. Drones with cameras or LiDAR systems conduct land surveys with precision. Additionally, drones are increasingly used across India for last-mile deliveries, enabling lightning-fast service.
This is how you become a certified Drone operator. Also, It is important for all pilots, including Certified Remote Pilots to keep their aviation knowledge up to date.
