Drones may soon bring cricket even closer to the fans, with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) allowing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to use the live aerial cinematography to cover cricket matches in 2021.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) had received requests from BCCI and M/s Quidich pertaining to granting of request and other correspondences regarding permission to use Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) for live aerial filming.
It is yet unclear how early drones will be used in cricket matches, or if they will be used for the next matches in the ongoing India-England series.
Aerial cameras, hanging by a cable, known as Spidercam, Skycam have been common in cricket matches now. Drones, too, have been used before, in the 2017 Champions Trophy. But this was limited to analysing the pitch before the start of the match.
“The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have granted a conditional exemption to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the deployment of drones for live aerial cinematography of the India Cricket Season in 2021,” the Ministry said on Monday. The exemption is valid till December 31, 2021.
According to the MOCA, the BCCI has to obtain necessary clearances from (a) Local Administration (b) Ministry of Defence (c) Ministry of Home Affairs (d) Air Defence Clearance from Indian Air Force and (e) Airport Authority of India (AAI) [as applicable] prior to operation of Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS).
Moreover, M/s Quidich engaged by BCCI as RPAS operator shall only operate the RPAS models specified in the approved standard operating procedures (SOP) dated 8th January 2021. The operations of the RPAS having valid Drone Acknowledgement Number (DAN) [specified in the SOP] shall be operated as per the above-mentioned SOP in the area specified therein.
Any change in the approved SOP for e.g. change in procedures or RPAS or use case or personnel or area specified in the approved SOP shall be included in the SOP and submitted to DGCA for approval.
Also, the BCCI has to take necessary permission regarding aerial photography from Directorate of Regulations and Information, DGCA or Ministry of Defence (as applicable).
"The drone ecosystem is evolving rapidly in our country. Its utilization is expanding from agriculture, mining, healthcare and disaster management to sports and entertainment. The granting of this permission is in line with the objectives of the Government of India to promote the commercial use of drones in the country," said Amber Dubey, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation said.
"The Drone Rules 2021 are in the final stages of discussion with the law ministry. We are hoping to receive the approvals by March 2021," he added.