NCAA Establishes Dedicated Unmanned Aircraft Unit
Recognising the growing significance of drones, the acting Director General of Civil Aviation Nigeria, Captain Najomo, approved the establishment of a specialised Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Integration Unit within the NCAA.
The unit aims to streamline the registration, licensing, and monitoring of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in Nigeria. By collaborating with aviation stakeholders, the NCAA seeks to regulate the burgeoning drone industry in accordance with aviation standards.
Amidst the burgeoning adoption of drones, there’s a pressing need to balance innovation with safety concerns. This initiative seeks to harmonize the integration, facilitation, and regulation of drone operations within Nigerian airspace.
The Unmanned Aircraft System commonly referred to as drones, operates autonomously and under human control for various purposes. Drones, initially designed for hazardous tasks, now serve various industries, including military, commercial, and agriculture.
Expanding beyond military usage, drones are employed in policing, surveillance,
cargo delivery, and entertainment industries like filmmaking and drone racing.
NCAA said the emergence of Unmanned Aircraft Systems promises job creation and economic opportunities, providing an alternative avenue for air transportation in Nigeria’s evolving aviation landscape.
However, there is an urgent need to strike an equilibrium, a balance between innovation and safety. Hence the move to integrate, facilitate, embrace and regulate this emerging trend, arising from the development and deployment of the technology.
