Hyderabad to have Drone Port, NRSA, Aviation academy to set up training centre for drone pilots

HYDERABAD: Telangana State Aviation Academy entered into an agreement with the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) to provide advanced training for Drone Pilots. The NRSC is one of the primary centres of the Indian Space Research Organisation-ISRO.

Telangana Aviation Academy CEO SN Reddy and NRSC Director Prakash Chauhan signed the agreement in the presence of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, and ISRO Chairman S Somnath at the State Secretariat here on Wednesday. As part of the agreement, the NRSA scientists and trainee drone pilots will receive training in drone piloting and drone data management and analysis and mapping for 15 days.

Officials explained the use of drones increased in all sectors, and particularly the farmers were using drones to spray fertilisers and pesticides on the farms and the Self-Help Groups also chose drones as a means of employment. Chief Minister suggested that all Government officials must be given training on the operation of drones. The Chief Minister also urged the aviation academy to create an exclusive drone port in Hyderabad as currently drone pilots were also trained in the same airport.

Chief Minister enquired about the area required to set up a Drone Port where training could be imparted and the drone manufacturing companies could test their drones. He said that the Government could provide 20 acres of land behind the Pharma City.

However, he asked them to first get clearance from the civil aviation authorities. He also asked officials concerned about the revival of Warangal Airport so that commercial operations could begin from that airport. He also enquired about the possibility of operating airplanes from Kothagudem and Bhadrachalam.

ISRO Chairman Somnath while appreciating the Telangana Government for the new initiative for the first time in the country, said that NRSA would actively be participating in sharing technology with the aviation academy to train drone pilots. He said that the Telangana Aviation Academy received the best aviation awards 12 times and considered one of the best in the country.