SIM card, number plate, must for drones soon

Private registration number like on cars, will be stuck on every drone and a SIM card with all the details of the drone will also be inserted

Each and every drone being flown in the country shall have a SIM card, like cell phones, and a number plate as is the case of vehicles, Khaleej Times has learnt.
According to Ismail Balushi, assistant director-general of the Aviation Safety Affairs with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the move is meant to better streamline the drone sector in the UAE.
"A private registration number or number plate, like on cars, will be stuck on every drone," he said. "A SIM card with all the details on the drone will also be inserted in it so that all the drone facts can be revealed while it is in flight."
Only the drones that thoroughly meet the standard specifications will be imported and marketed in the country, he added. "This is in line with ongoing talks with the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology."
Al Balushi, who was talking at the Salim bin Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi Ramadan Majlis, pointed out that a drone may only be flown in the UAE if it has a special registration licence issued by the authority.
"Drones will no longer be imported unless approved by the GCAA, as per an agreement concluded with the customs departments across the country."
Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director-general of the GCAA, said though drones have led to big losses of here, only 400 drones are registered with the authority. "Hundreds of others are out of control, unregistered, and unlicensed."
Warning, he said a jail term shall be slapped against anyone involved in flying a drone without an official licence or permission. "A life sentence shall even be slapped against whoever poses a risk to a flying plane as per law."
The illegal flying of drones has led to the closure of airspace twice in Dubai in May and once in Abu Dhabi last year, he stated. "The closure of Dubai airspace last month led to the cancellation of 22 flights," Al Suwaidi said, indicating that the GCAA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, shall launch an intensive nationwide campaign against unlicenced drones.
Urging creative uses, Laila Hareb Al Muhairi, assistant general manager for strategy and international affairs sector, GCAA, said a big number of Emirati engineers specialised in drones, has graduated from all emirates of the country.
"A drone is a double-edged weapon which can make wonders if used in a proper way as in general services and rescue operations at high and tough sites."
Brigadier Yusuf Al Nuaimi, of the general directorate for residency and foreigners affairs in Ras Al Khaimah, said the entire world will drastically change in ten years. "This spans drones which must be thoroughly controlled in terms of import, sales, and operation."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com