IoTechWorld Aviation receives the first “type certificate” for the Kisan drone from Scindia.
In NEW DELHI: IoTechWorld Aviation, situated in Gurugram and one of India’s top kisan drone manufacturers, received the first “type certificate” (TC) under the Drone Rules, 2021, on Tuesday from Union Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. After submitting its online application on the DigitalSky Platform of the DGCA on May 11, 2022, IoTech received the TC in 34 days.
The aviation ministry stated in a statement that this is true “despite the fact that the Drone Rules, 2021 allow 60 days to the Quality Council of India (QCI) or the Certification Bodies (CB) and 15 days to the DGCA for issuing the Type Certificate (i.e. 75 days in total), provided all the necessary documents and test reports are as per specifications.
The concept of “minimal government, maximum governance” is something Scindia stated his ministry is working on. India has established a goal of being a hub for drones by 2030, and the type certificate’s issuance in a record-breaking 34 days is a step in that direction. He stated that certification would soon be given to the other drone prototypes as well.
The “certification scheme for unmanned aircraft systems” (CSUAS) for acquiring TC for drones was announced this January after the “drone rules, 2021” were announced last August. Three reputable certification bodies, TQ Cert, UL India, and Bureau Veritas, have been approved by QCI. Manufacturers of drones are able to approach any Certification Body to have their drone prototype tested, according to a statement from the ministry.
The Quality Council of India worked with drone startups, the industry, academics, and defence professionals to design the drone certification programme that would go into effect in January 2022. “Drone certification process is anticipated to develop an ecosystem that will allow high-quality drones to be produced in India and sold worldwide. The certification tests are now being performed on 14 drone prototypes. Over the next three years, there may be more than 100 Type Certified prototypes, according to the statement.