@vibranthobbies, thanks for confirming but I am sure until last moth they were not so strict.  But now my parcel has been held and FedEx people called and told me that even the parts are strictly prohibited since people can indulge in terrorist activities. 
They asked me to give a letter explaining the nature of the product and purpose of import to assistant Commissioner of customs, so I am not sure how I can explain them that it is not parts of quadcopter. 

All my money lost I believe.  Lesson learnt :-(

Oh no even I got few stuff coming..  No motors but fpv camera Vtx props and few RXs

Well 200 feet height then what about FAI F3A flying do we fly F3A below 200 feet & what about IMAC flying giant scale gas powered planes... this is such a waste of time.. its like talking to dumb Indian people, have they gone through FAI guidelines??

Well the draft guidelines appear to be fine for Commercial use of Aeromodels or Drones what ever one calls them.  But for a true aeromodeller who loves his scratch built its a dead end.  RIP.

I am making my own comments and will share it here.  The weight categories need to change from the draft ones something like this....
Micro - Up to 2 Kgs, Mini - 2Kg + to 5 Kgs, Medium - 5 Kg + to 10 Kgs and Large - from 10Kgs+ to 50 or 100 Kgs or whatever the DGCA wishes.  The exemption from registration must be for all Micro category and Mini category provided they carry no payload other than basic equipment for flying the model.

Height limit needs to be changed to 500 Ft ALG (as 200 mtrs and above is the general circuit height of aircraft at an airfield I am sure 500 ft will be a good height to limit the recreational and hobby flying.

Flight Manuals ?? for scratch built models?? maybe it needs to be ensured that a proper checklist is followed before every flight.  In this case if a model suffers a crash..... do we need to ask the manufacturer to repair and certify the aeromodel fit for flying?? after a crash its us aeromodellers who repair it and fly it... maybe after following a proper checklist of checks....

Lot of dead ends to ensure this hobby dies permanently in India.

WHERE IS THE AMA.......... if its members are not dead.... they must take up the case urgently.... or else someone will need to file a PIL to ensure that the hobby lives to see another day.....

Trust the BABUs.... they can KILL any living and thriving thing on this planet.

regards
Shobhit

Shobit Sir Simultaneously we are working with AMAI for drafting additions in the guideline to protect Hobby interest.

I'm confused why everyone is angry about having to register your drone, imo that is the best idea in the entire draft. This way people who fly illegally and irresponsibly can be caught and punished without it having to affect everyone. Of course, I disagree with a lot of the other points (required GPS, 200 ft, grouping of quads by weight and grouping of pilots) but the registering is sensible.

Lets keep things simple and follow the laws in place currently internationally.

ICAO, FAA, CCA-NZ, CCA-UK, Deutsche Flugsicherung, .....

@cycloned I don't think registering is a good option in India. There could be many people unaware of this and when caught might say that they didn't know about it. Plus only online registration should be allowed otherwise the bribe system might start and as there are very less aero modellers, this system will not encourage newbies to come to this hobby.
I might be wrong but according to me this is not the way out.

https://www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=84386

Actually this is the perfect model we could just copy paste this  And suggest the removal of all those nonsensical stuff of adding GPS RTH Mobile Sim and also revaluate the classification  of UAS

@Drashan for multirotors

The only way to regulate the hobby is registration. And as you said, the only way to make unaware people aware is by getting them registered, that way the DGCA can send emails to all registered users regarding rules and important updates. I agree with the online registration system, that is a good idea.

This is the system the FAA has adopted, and although it has its flaws it's better than a simple ban on all drones.

I think what he means is that instead of registering each and every drone...the aeromodeller should be registered and his registration details be on his every drone...saves hassle for us and still makes someone accountable in case of any crash or misadventures.

Quote from: Cycloned on April 27, 2016, 10:19:03 PM
I'm confused why everyone is angry about having to register your drone

1. Drone is not the correct word, they are using it but you know what is the correct word use that.
2. Have you ever tried to get a WPC or ETA ??
3. Yes registering your MODEL is sensible but what about doc required for registration? how are you going to get for custom builds?

And also the customs problem will get more complex. Every time we are importing something, a lot of paper work will be required which might lead to other problems....
So I think registration of the aeromodeller(not model) is the only way out of this confusion.

And importer should get a license. Hassle free job it should be for ease of importing for LHS

I am willing to register myself but it is difficult to register each and every model.

this is Nasa'a concept for monitoring air traffic ...

wish our leaders would use their brains (whatever little they have) and then implement the necessary rules ...

chX

Dear All,
Here is my draft comments to DGCA;
My suggestion is
1. To introduce new section for Model Aircraft and a One time Online registration of Model Pilot.
2. Pilot above 14 to 18 Years old under guidance of pilot
3. Foreign Nationals registration under sponsor from the event organizers.
4. Establishing No fly zones

Edit: Further to the above I am preparing comments against each clause applicable to commercial UA

Quote from: satyagupta on April 28, 2016, 10:02:52 AM
And importer should get a license. Hassle free job it should be for ease of importing for LHS

satyaji
Let us not envy on some others way of operations and invite trouble for us.
Imagine import license for each and every shipment.
The people who has "setting" will still continue the same way.

You miss understand, import license for sellers. Where they are authorised to import goods related to our hobbies like motors and others.
No per shipment.

the setting would keep going no matter what.

As a legal entity we have IEC. Anything else do we require ?
I think you are concerned about individuals who import on personnel account and sell. Am I right?

why not keep these rules, but only for commercial uses (considering custom built platforms, u can register with info about ESC, Motors, FC, FPV gear and size or something on those lines... ) . We get a different license as a hobbyist license where we get our own set of rules, and after a certain period of flying we get higher level licenses after showing our skills and knowledge like a drivers test, when we pass... we get to have LRS systems or something like that... (or this can be completely avoided) everything should be available online(registrations, UIN's and a private profile) and LHS's can sell only to people having this license . this would stop the alleged "terrorist activities" and keep us hobbyist's happy. as far as UIN goes, u can register the plane with a few pictures online and have a UIN stuck on something like your motor or something like your ESC heatsink... with every license u get 3-4 flying platforms and u add more with the proper paperwork or police clarifications (that step could be avoided too... the govt just wants to keep track of things that are flying and for microlite  aircrafts u have to undergo CBI investigation) ... as far as scratch builds go, u can have a scratch build UIN, where u can make upto 3 models under one UIN and just update an online profile about it like pictures and all... u can register it as another UIN if u are very happy with the build... As for foreigners, we can give a temporary UIN for that particular event or series of events. i bet there are many flaws in my post so do share your thoughts on this...

@ Rathi I have almost Re-drafted the Guidelines on exactly similar lines. Will be sharing it for all of you guys views here in couple of days. Cheers. Lot of minds are working on it simultaneously to protect and include hobby interest at the same time keep this hobby among'st  sensible and responsible enthusiasts.

Quote from: sundaram on April 28, 2016, 04:53:19 PMLot of minds are working on it simultaneously to protect and include hobby interest at the same time keep this hobby among'st  sensible and responsible enthusiasts.

We all have to do it now else the hobby would be gone.

Quote from: sarvan_me on April 27, 2016, 02:26:46 PM
@vibranthobbies, thanks for confirming but I am sure until last moth they were not so strict.  But now my parcel has been held and FedEx people called and told me that even the parts are strictly prohibited since people can indulge in terrorist activities.  
They asked me to give a letter explaining the nature of the product and purpose of import to assistant Commissioner of customs, so I am not sure how I can explain them that it is not parts of quadcopter.  

All my money lost I believe.  Lesson learnt :-(

FedEx people are making up things. They don't know the rules. You can contest it. The only recent reference is regarding declaration of drones by passengers in their baggage while arriving in India. Even then, I can't find any notification which says that import of drones is banned.

So where exactly does it say that import of parts of quadcopter are banned? Is there any circular or notification prohibiting such imports? Also many items are dual-use. How can they say that parts are "strictly prohibited" without any basis? Ask them to show under which notification or circular it is prohibited? Do they even know the meaning of prohibition? Can they prohibit import of car tyres because cars can be used as car bombs or for terrorist activities? Instead of dealing through these FedEx people directly deal the matter with Customs.

You can write in the letter to Asstt. Commissioner that these are toy hobby parts motors meant for multiple use. Some may construct toy helicopters or cars or even mini fans using these motors. Also mention that "to the best of my knowledge there is no circular or notification which restricts or prohibits import of motors for any purpose" and that "these are freely importable under the foreign trade policy". Also you can say that "if there is any such circular/notification prohibiting or restricting import of motors, kindly provide me the details".

You can appeal to the next higher authority if they don't release the goods.