Aviation body bans use of drone without license

Media reports reveal that the Federal Government through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed that no government agency, organisation or individual should launch Remotely Piloted Aircraft/ Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (RPA/UAV), simply known as drones, into the Nigerian airspace without obtaining proper approvals/permits from the NCAA and Office of National Security Adviser (NSA).

According to a NigerianFlightDeck report, the directive follows a warning from the regulatory body that operators and intending operators must ensure strict compliance with the conditions stipulated in their permits and the requirements of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations, stating that anyone who goes contrary to laid down rules will be sanctioned.

Recently, drones have become a bit popular in Nigeria and people use them for both commercial and recreational purposes. However, the NCAA says the use of drones is without adequate security clearance.

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Thus, with the advent and steadily growing popularity of the gadgets, particularly in a non – segregated airspace, there has to be proactive safety guidelines.

However, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is yet to publish Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs), as far as certification and operation of civil use of drones is concerned.

That's why, it seems, the NCAA has decided to put Regulations/Advisory Circulars in place, to guide the certification and operations of drones in the Nigerian airspace.

Pulse Tech will update you with more information as the situation unfolds. In the meantime, be careful with those drones.