Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), better known as drones, are aerial devices that are operated remotely. Originally used for defence operations, drones have now found their way into a myriad of industries, from film-making to food delivery, showcasing their versatility and adaptability.
In India, the combination of innovation and lower costs of these devices is revolutionizing various industries through the adoption of drones. The Telangana government realised the significance of drone technology during the pandemic when it implemented the “Medicine from the Sky” project – to assist vulnerable communities and far-flung areas in obtaining medicine, vaccines, and donor blood through drone delivery mechanisms.
Drone technology finds applications across multiple sectors, including agriculture. Where drones equipped with sensors are used to collect vital information about crop patterns such as moisture content, soil fertility, and nutritional content. After the crops are planted, drones can aid in crop surveillance and monitoring. They are also more efficient than traditional agricultural techniques in spraying pesticides and herbicides. In addition, high-resolution cameras mounted on drones are also widely being used in the fields of cinematography and photography.
As with any other technology, drones will inevitably see increasing private and commercial adoption in the coming years. One such area where drones have recently found utility is the real estate sector.
Uses of Drones in Real Estate
Using the advanced capabilities of drones in high-resolution imaging, accurate mapping, and agile mobility, many services have popped up that offer innovative solutions for a variety of real estate management and transactional needs.
Drones are actively being employed in aerial photo and videography, where high-end cameras are enabled to capture buildings and properties from different angles and heights, providing a fuller view that can be used as marketing material, or providing virtual tours for clients. Such images or videos can also be combined with advanced techniques and software that can be used to create 3D maps and models of properties, which can help visualize the property in unprecedented ways.
Drones can also enable the inspection of areas difficult for maintenance checks, damage assessments, or insurance documentation and can offer real-time updates on the progress of construction by enabling aerial surveys. They are also used to collect data on topography, soil conditions, vegetation, and other environmental factors, which can be critical for the process of site selection, planning, and environmental impact assessments.
Legal Considerations for Using Drones in Real Estate in India
The Drone Rules, 2021, along with the various Drone (Amendment) Rules(2022 and 2023) notified from time to time by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, create a thorough regulatory framework for the use of drones in India.
The Drone Rules 2021 rules classify drones based on their weight into five different categories. UAVs weighing up to 250 grams are categorized as “nano drones”, while those that weigh from 250 grams to 2 kilograms are called “micro drones”. Those weighing between 2 and 25 kilograms are small drones, and between 25 to 150 kilograms are medium-sized drones. Any UAV heavier than 150 kilograms is considered large.
Zone of Operation
The rules also classify the zone of operation for drones into three different categories. Barring exceptional circumstances, any drone operation is strictly prohibited in “Red Zones”, —which include areas up to 5 kilometres from any operational airports and all the other areas that the government might notify.
The yellow zone includes airspace above 400 feet in designated green zones and airspace above 200 feet within a lateral distance of 8 to 12 kilometres from the perimeter of an operational airport.
Finally, the green zone is the area where no permit is required for operating drones up to the range of 400 feet or up to 200 feet in the area between 8 km to 12 km from the perimeter of an airport.
For checking traffic and seeking information on designated red zones, an operator can use the Digital Sky Platform, an online platform hosted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for various activities related to the management of unmanned aircraft systems in India.
License and Exemptions
The Drone (Amendment) Rules, 2022, notified in February 2022, eliminate the need for a drone pilot license. Instead, remote pilots can now operate drones with a certificate issued by a DGCA-authorized Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO). Individuals who plan to fly a drone must mandatorily get a remote pilot licence. They must complete the training specified by the Director General for the category of drone he wishes to obtain the licence. The use of nano and micro drones for non-commercial purposes is exempted from this licensing requirement.
The drone itself must also be registered with the DGCA. This involves filling out form D-2 on the Digital Sky Platform to generate a Unique Identification Number or UIN.
Apart from these rules given under the Drone Rules 2021, the real estate application of drone technology must also give due consideration to the following points:
- Unless exempted by the laws, the drone must have a certificate of airworthiness issued by the Quality Council of India. This ensures that the drone meets the specified certification standards which may promote the use of made-in-India technologies, designs, components, and drones; and India’s regional navigation satellite system named Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC).
- Pre-flight checks should be conducted to ensure the drone is working properly. Adverse weather conditions should be avoided. Flight permission should be obtained using the Digital Sky Platform.
- The privacy of other persons and their properties should not be invaded without consent.
Outlook
It is crucial for drone operators to adhere to the regulations provided under the Drone Rules 2021, even in the real estate sector – which might use the technology on private properties. The regulations are in place to ensure the safe and responsible operation of the drones.
A notable limitation placed upon the operation of drones in India is that BVLOS flights, i.e. Beyond Visual Line of Sight flights, are not yet permitted because of their safety concerns. Thus, a drone operator is always required to maintain a line of sight with the drone, which could be particularly limiting in its real estate applications. However, efforts and experimental testing continue, in efforts to make the technology so safe that BVLOS can be allowed in India.
