Drones were primarily developed for the military and aerospace sectors but now, they have found their way into the mainstream sector because of their increased degree of safety and efficiency.
They have become practically useful in different sectors ranging from the entertainment industry to agriculture.
You see them take shots from several feet high above the ground – covering grounds that humans will need the aid of aircraft to reach. They can be likened to the eyes in the sky.
What are drones?
Drones, generally referred to as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), are unpiloted aircraft that are used to carry out a wide range of tasks – from the ones that are considered too risky to the mundane ones.
The UAV has fixed wings or single or multi-rotary build that enable it to fly and they can be as large as an aircraft or as small as the palm of your hand.
The entire system that allows a drone to function is a UAS (Unmanned Aerial System)
Drones range from remotely piloted ones that allow humans control them to advanced ones which rely on a system of sensors and laser detectors to calculate their movements.
Also read, How Drones can help Rural Africa
Drones can stay overhead for a long period of time, hovering over an area while sending real-time imagery of activities on the ground back to their operators.
Flying drones in Nigeria
According to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), flying a commercial or recreational drone in Nigeria is considered illegal unless a permit is obtained.
Defaulters risk being subject to civil and criminal penalties if they do not register drones that weigh between 250 grams and 25 kilograms.
Also watch, Tech Trends: Drones Feature in Healthcare
Upon obtaining the permit, drone operators must adhere to the rules of flying drones in Nigeria which include:
- They must be, at least, 16 years of age or older
- They must obtain a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Operations Certificate
- They must submit flight plans to the NCAA for authorization prior to carrying out each individual drone flight
- They must not fly their drones over airports or areas where aircraft are operating
- They must not fly their drones across the border from or into another state
- They must not fly their drones over people or large crowds and they must respect people’s privacy when flying
- They must not operate their drones in a manner that may cause harm to people and properties
- They must fly during the day and in and in good weather conditions
- They must not operate over the high seas without authorization from Air Traffic Control
- They must not fly in sensitive areas including government or military facilities
Drones in Nigeria if maximized to the fullest, can bring solutions to the problems many sectors the country is facing. Medicine, military, agriculture, delivery, photography, etc. The possibilities are endless.
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