Subdivision formed in Russian aviation registry for certifying drones
MOSCOW. March 23 (Interfax) - A subdivision for the certification of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), or drones, has been formed in Russia's Aviation Registration Office, which is subordinate to the Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya), the agency said in a statement.
The decision has been taken "in order to fine tune systematically the matters of implementing UAV and certifying these types of aircraft," according to the statement.
As noted, in order to certify drones, the Aviation Registration Office has previously utilized the risk-based approach that the International Civil Aviation Organization recommended, which is based on the airworthiness standards of manned aircraft. Indeed, the Aviation Registration Office to date has set the airworthiness standards that are implemented for unmanned aircraft and helicopters.
According to Rosaviatsiya, the Aviation Registration Office has received seven applications overall for UAV type certification. One of the drones, the Russian Helicopters-developed BAS-200, received a type certificate last year. Operations are underway to expand the terms and conditions for its operation in order to obtain an additional type certificate in the interests of Russian Post and other organizations.