NCAA issues first drone licence to Oando
- Firm to operate Lockheed aircraft
Oil giant, Oando Plc has become the first firm to be granted permission to operate unmanned aircraft in the country as the oil firm was awarded a certificate to secure operation of Lockheed Martins SN 248-255 aircraft.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said Oando Reservoir and Production Services Ltd. received the certificate having satisfied the requirements and found competent to secure the safe operation of the Aircraft type
The certificate, according to the aviation regulatory body is for flights with the purpose of aerial work specifically Environmental Observation Monitoring and Protection.
The Director-General of NCAA, Capt. Muhtar Usman presented the Certificate to Oando Plc at the Aviation House.
Oando plc team led by Mr. Anthony Sawyer, the General Manager, Operations, received the certificate on behalf of the oil company.
Speaking during the presentation, Usman advised Oando plc to ensure strict compliance with all the requirements for the grant of an approval.
According to him, the company must adhere to all requirements for the maintenance of an approval applicable to each of the operations specifications.
The DG enjoined the recipient to expect some initial minor challenges. These are not entirely unexpected in any new initiative; however, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will be very agile in responding to these challenges.
Taking cognizance of the rapid pace of technological development, the DG said the RPAS regulatory framework is a work in progress and we shall continually engage the industry stakeholders to review the regulations when necessary.
In his response, Sawyer said the NCAA team was very professional and thorough during the processes towards attaining the certification.
Sawyer said the procedures were rigorous ‘but we were convinced the Authority was doing the right thing in line with its oversight responsibilities. Oando will definitely abide by all the conditions attached to the certificate especially with our pioneer status.
To qualify for the issuance of certificate, applicants are expected to undergo five phases. These are as follows, Pre-Application, Formal Application, Document Evaluation, Demonstration & Inspection and Certification phases.
The RPAS Operators Certificate (ROC) shall remain in force till 15th June, 2019 and shall be carried on site during each authorized/approved operations.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will continue to provide opportunities and level playing field for all prospective and existing operators in all categories of aviation and its allied services.
Last year, the NCAA took cognisance of the growing requests for the use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) leading to its proliferation in Nigeria and therefore issued safety guidelines accordingly.
The agency noted that in recent times, RPA/UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) are being deployed for commercial and recreational purposes in the country without adequate security clearance.
It further stated that with the preponderance of these operations particularly in a non – segregated airspace, there has to be proactive safety guidelines.
The development of the use of RPA nationwide emerged with somewhat predictable safety concerns and security threats.
It disclosed that the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is yet to publish Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs), as far as certification and operation of civil use of RPA is concerned.
NCAA therefore put in place Regulations/Advisory Circular to guide the certification and operations of civil RPA in the Nigerian airspace. This is contained in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs 2015 Part 8.8.1.33) and Implementing Standards (Nig.CARs 2015 Part IS.8.8.1.33).
It warned that no government agency, organisation or an individual would launch an RPA/UAV in the Nigerian airspace for any purpose whatsoever without obtaining requisite approvals/permit from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Office of National Security Adviser (NSA).
It reiterated that all applicants and holders of permits to operate RPA/Drones must strictly be guided by safety guidelines.
