The sky has no limits

By Huang Lanlan Source:Global Times Published: 2015-10-7 16:38:01

Shanghai’s drone enthusiasts face stricter, if uncertain, regulations


A candidate controls his drone during the license test, keeping it hovering within the 2-meter circle. Photo: IC



 

Here's the license drone operators need. Photo: IC



Civilian drones, (unmanned aerial vehicles) are rocketing everywhere in China now with many used by filmmakers, amateur aircraft enthusiasts and even pizza shops as delivery vehicles. In February drones were given a boost in the popular media as scenes showed how singer Wang Feng proposed to girlfriend actress Zhang Ziyi by sending her an engagement ring via a drone at her birthday party.

After that drone sales throughout the country really took off. It's not just in China that these remote controlled flying machines are popular -the US Consumer Electronics Association has predicted that 400,000 UAV products will be sold throughout the world this year, 55 percent more than for 2014. Of these 400,000 drones nearly a half are estimated to have been made in China.

A search of online shopping websites revealed that in China professional civilian drones cost between 3,000 yuan ($472) and 9,000 yuan, about the same as a tablet or smartphone. Usually these drones can fly nonstop for about 20 minutes.

The novelty and the affordability have helped make these popular around the world and the 2015 Small Civilian UAV Industry Report released by iResearch said that the global market value of civilian drones is expected to reach $1.6 billion by 2024.

However, aside from the market potential, operating a drone in China is apparently strictly controlled. Earlier this year Wang Xiazheng, the director of the administration office of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of China (AOPA China), an industry association under the supervision of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, told media that to fly a drone for more than 500 meters or higher than 120 meters, a person has to hold a license and apply for permission before each flight.

But there are doubts about how these regulations are being enforced. In February, the Shanghai-based YTO Express Company started using drones to deliver packages in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. It did not apply for permission from AOPA China but was not penalized.

Three examiners appointed by the General Administration of Sport of China record the candidates' performances. Photo: IC



 

Focus for the day is on the remote controls. Photo: IC

To date few women have applied for a drone license. Photo: IC



 

License testing

Drone enthusiasts who want to abide by the laws can apply for licenses after passing practical and theoretical tests. In Shanghai in August authorities began testing for drone licenses. Of the 28 applicants who sat the city's first-ever UAV operating license test on August 15, more than half passed.

In September reporters with the weekly newspaper International Finance News covered a local UAV license test. It was on a rainy Saturday morning and 36 candidates gathered at the Shanghai Military Sports Club and operated their drones before three examiners who had been appointed by the General Administration of Sport of China.

During the test the candidates had to show they could control their drones by taking off and landing within a 2-meter circle. Anyone who missed the circle was immediately failed.

There are nine levels of drone license and while the beginner license levels are comparatively easy, higher levels see candidates having to show their drones could perform more difficult maneuvers than just taking off and landing. On this particular day only three of the candidates failed to gain a license.

This test was organized by the Model Aeronautics and Vehicle Association of Shanghai, which told media that beginner-level license holders could only operate their drones within very limited areas. Only those with intermediate-level licenses or above could use drones for serious purposes. "But for when and where exactly we can fly drones in Shanghai, we still need permission from public security departments," the association admitted.

Experienced drone operators know that spinning rotors can really hurt if they are not careful. Photo: IC



 

One last check before this applicant takes his test. Photo: IC



Not easy or cheap

Getting a license to fly a drone is not easy or cheap. A Guangdong drone company, for example, recently established a drone operating training course which costs participants between 13,000 and 55,300 yuan.

The course director Huang Yu explained that the course involved 132 hours of practical and theoretical classes. "We can then provide graduating students with drone related job opportunities with monthly salaries of at least 10,000 yuan." He said his company was the only drone company in Guangdong Province to offer a course that had been approved by AOPA China.

Although the Civil Aviation Administration of China has authorized AOPA China to issue drone operator licenses the use of drones in China remains in a legal limbo - detailed laws and regulations have not yet been published.

Compiled by Huang Lanlan based on stories in the Southern Metropolitan Daily and the International Finance News

Posted in: Metro Shanghai, City Panorama

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