…Warns Against Flouting The Rules
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has taken cognisance of the growing requests for the use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) leading to its proliferation in Nigeria and has therefore issued safety guidelines accordingly.
The regulatory body stated that in recent times, RPA/UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) were deployed for commercial and recreational purposes in the country without adequate security clearance, adding that with the preponderance of these operations particularly in a non – segregated airspace, there has to be proactive safety guidelines.
The General Manager, Public Relations, Mr Sam Adurogboye stated this at the weekend in Lagos.
He added that the development of the use of RPA nationwide has emerged with somewhat predictable safety concerns and security threats and that 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 RPA is concerned.
NCAA, he said has therefore put in place Regulations/Advisory Circular to guide the certification and operations of civil RPA in the Nigerian airspace, stressing that this is contained in 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/permit from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Office of National Security Adviser (NSA)”NCAA warned.
NCAA reiterated that all applicants and holders of permits to operate RPA/Drones must strictly be guided by safety guidelines.
The regulatory body also stated that in addition, operators must ensure strict compliance with the conditions stipulated in their permits and the requirements of the Nig.CARs. Violators shall be sanctioned according to the dictates of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs).
