Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Regulation by ENAC
On 22nd January 2014, it was officially presented the Italian regulation on remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS). Following the introduction of RPAS in the “concept of aircraft” (see art.743 of the Italian Navigation Code), the Ente Nazionale per l’Aviazione Civile (aka ENAC) eventually drafted a brand new regulation concerning these aircraft systems which are more and more populating our skies.
Pursuant to the Regulation of the European Parliament and Council (EC) No 216/2008, the RPAS of maximum take off mass not exceeding 150 kg and those which are designed or modified for research, experimental or scientific purposes are now put on the responsibility of ENAC.
This regulation was necessary in order to regiment the ops of these aircraft system, nowadays more and more used by others than military actors for multipurpose activities.
The document seams to be quite exhaustive but it doesn’t includes (quote):
- State RPAS, as referred to in Articles 744, 746 and 748 of the Navigation Code;
- Systems having design features such that the pilot does not have the ability to intervene in the control of the flight;
- indoor RPAS operations;
- d. balloons used for scientific observations or tethered balloons.
The paper breaks down rules for both the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems with maximum take-off mass of “less than 25 kg” and the ones with a mass “equal to or more than 25 kg” (but less than 150 kg).
RPAS ops, include VLOS or BLOS activities in specialized operations and experimental events; operators are allowed to operate, subject to appropriate authorization issued by ENAC or with an operator declaration to ENAC in accordance with specific provisions of the Regulation.
Besides this, very interesting is the section concerning model aircrafts which can only be used for recreational and sporting purposes. The Regulation sets out specific rules to regulate their use in order to guarantee people and property safety on the ground.
In sum, being a quite complete and clear document, a careful reading is suggested to all the operators (an English version is available at http://www.enac.gov.it/Servizio/Info_in_English/Courtesy_translations/info-1220929004.html).
Source: A.Mucedola for AOS
