RuAviation

The Russian Government has established an experimental legal regime (EPR) for the operation of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in the territory of the Nenets Autonomous District (NAO). The corresponding decree was developed by the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia within the framework of implementation of the Strategy of development of unmanned aviation and the national project “Unmanned Aviation Systems”. This is reported on the website of the ministry.

NAO Governor Yuri Bezdudny noted that the district has become one step closer to unmanned delivery of goods, medicines and mail to remote villages. He also said that in the near future it is planned to test new models of drones on the territory of the county.

“The issue of ensuring prompt delivery of goods is especially important for our region. Remote settlements can often be reached only by manned aviation, and delivery of small-sized cargoes is unprofitable for them. Drones will harmoniously complement the region’s logistics network, delivering medicines and other equally important cargoes in the shortest possible time,” said Yuri Bezdudny.

Ecolibri JSC is developing a line of vertical take-off and landing drones. The head of the Scientific and Technical Council of the Company Alexey Rogozin noted that the creation of an experimental legal regime in NAO is a landmark event for the region, and the first flights under the new rules are planned to take place in spring.

“This is an important step towards the transition from one-off flights of small vehicles to the creation of a system of regular flights performed by drones. Such flights will help to speed up and cheapen the delivery of small cargoes within 10-30kg, including to the most inaccessible areas of the NAO. For drone developers it is also a unique opportunity to simplify certification of such equipment,” commented Alexey Rogozin.

The project provides for the possibility of using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with a maximum take-off weight of more than 30 kg to perform aerial work and air transportation of cargoes weighing from 0.1 kg to 1.5 tonnes. Six companies are planning to participate in the project implementation, including JSC Empaero, TS Integration LLC, Ecolibri JSC, FAU S.A. Chaplygin Siberian Aviation Research Institute, Aeroscript Research Centre LLC and Aviation Certification Centre SibNIA-TEST JSC. The EPR programme envisages joining of other entities in accordance with the procedure established by law.

To ensure safe and efficient operation of drones, it is planned to introduce a pilot area management system, which will process data on all EPR subjects and their actions, as well as ensure interaction between the companies participating in the experiment and regulatory authorities. In the course of the project implementation, it is envisaged to perform not only new services using UAS, but also to take measures to improve flight safety, autonomy of UAS use and efficiency of the services provided.