Page 47 - TT Mag Feb 2024 Digital Edition_New

EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

Green Zone Yellow Zone Red Zone traffic flows, reduce operational
costs (by doing away with the need
• The airspace over land • Airspace above 400 • A strict no flying zone for human pilots) and with robust
areas/ territorial waters feet (120 metres) within for civilians without safety protocols could theoretically
up to a vertical distance designated Green Zones. explicit permission reduce human error and boost
of 400 ft (120 metres) • The airspace is above granted by the overall safety.
government.
• Drones can be flown 200 feet (60 metres) • It encompasses the So what is the
without permission, as within a lateral distance airspace above: Land downside?
long as the general safety of 8 to 12 kilometres areas or territorial waters
We are nowhere close to the
guidelines of the Drone from the perimeter of an beyond territorial limits/ technological advancements that
Rules are adhered to. operational airport. Specified installations would bring about safe and reliable
notified by the central
• Permission must be government/Ports autonomous flights. This will also
granted from Air Traffic notified by the central require thorough testing, which
takes time. Additionally, robust
Control (ATC) authorities government. regulations and infrastructure needs
in order to fly in the to be in place for secure and risk-
Yellow Zone. free autonomous air taxi operation.
Finally, public acceptance poses a
barrier, and will require extensive
infrastructure. Strategic no-fly zones, Secretary Rajiv Bhansal, the Civil flight demonstrations, clear
air corridors and air policing systems Aviation Ministry is ready to begin communication and time.
should also be explored. The Drone formulating a policy framework
Amendment Rules, 2023, lays out concerning air taxis and will also Remote Air Taxis
provisions regarding the eligibility of commission a study on the matter.
drone pilots and the procedures for He added that the ministry regards Remote controlled air taxis seem
obtaining remote pilot certifications. eVTOLs as the next technology that to be a viable option, as it can
However, these rules will need to the ministry will examine, as it has leverage existing technology and
be tweaked or modified to handle implications for both densely populated potentially offer faster solutions than
larger and more complex vehicles cities and sparsely populated rural fully autonomous air taxis. This mode
like electric air taxis. areas. The Ministry will also be looking could also offer an additional layer
at the global protocols and standards of protection against unpredictable
So what does the regarding eVTOLs to understand situations - which would help build
scenario look like for the responsibilities of authorities public trust and confidence in air
India? and regulatory bodies when it comes taxis. Finally, there are also existing
to air taxis. regulations for remotely piloted
Union Aviation Minister aircrafts which could provide the
Jyotiraditya Scindia shared that India Autonomous / basis for initial air taxi operations.
is on the “cusp of a new revolution”, Remote Air Taxis
with the advent of air taxis in the Where do the
next 4-5 years. As electric air taxis inch closer challenges arise?
and closer to certification, experts
India may see its first air taxi Managing and paying for pilot
as soon as 2026. The to be are looking at what kind of training could be both challenging
launched all-electric air taxi service advancements can be made in the and expensive. The training will
will offer competitive prices to field. While some companies are need to be extensive because pilots
on-road taxis services. There are building aircrafts that will be piloted will have to safely control multiple
plans to use this service for cargo, by humans, others are designing air taxis in congested urban areas.
medical emergencies, logistics, and eVTOLs that are autonomous or Pilots will require support from
charter services. operated remotely. As with any advanced air traffic management
discussion, there are benefits and systems in order to fly effectively.
Government risks associated with these choices. Finally, remote control range limits
Regulations and Autonomous air taxis would may restrict where these air taxis
Responsibility: bring efficiency and scalability to can operate, and could require
the industry. They would streamline more infrastructure, like relay
According to the Civil Aviation operations, handle complex urban stations for support.

www.trafficinfratech.com / February 2024 / TrafficInfraTech 47