Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Regulations in Malawi Presentation to UPDWG Webinar

1. Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Regulations in Malawi Presentation to UPDWG Webinar Capt. Hastings L. Jailosi Department of Civil Aviation Ministry of Transport Malawi 15th February 2018

2. Department Of Civil Aviation (DCA) • In this presentation, the term Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) will be used in place of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Drones or any other common references.

3. ACRONYMS • In this presentation, the following acronyms are used: DCA- Department of Civil Aviation NGOs-Non –Governmental Organizations MACRA-Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority AIC-Aeronautical Information Circular RPA-Remotely Piloted Aircraft SACAA-South African Civil Aviation Authority FAA-Federal Aviation Administration EASA-European Aviation Safety Agency

4. Department Of Civil Aviation (DCA) • DCA is a Malawi Government Department • Established by Act of Parliament in 1970 • Falls under the Ministry of Transport and Public Works • Mandate to regulate the Aviation Industry • Responsible for Airspace above Malawi

5. RPA Regulation Development • Remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) are a new component of the aviation system • RPA use preceded Policy and Regulatory Framework • The general Aviation Regulation fell short e.g. removing the pilot from the aircraft raises real and important technical and operational concerns • The safe integration of RPA into non-segregated airspace is a long-term activity with many stakeholders adding their expertise

6. RPA Regulation Development… • Regulations are a key to safe development of the RPA industry • Since 2016, the DCA set out to develop regulatory framework, supported by UNICEF • Currently an AIC in force in lieu of the RPA regulations

7. Goal of RPA Regulations Development • To provide a regulatory framework and guidance material, to underpin routine operation of RPA in a safe, harmonized and seamless manner comparable to that of manned operations • Most importantly, introduction of remotely piloted aircraft into non-segregated airspace and at aerodromes should in no way increase safety risks to manned aircraft

8. RPA Regulations Development Process • The process still on going • The process is progressive and spread over time • The process is bearing fruits • Positive rapport so far • The RPA Regulations covered the following areas: • Putting in place structure i.e. technical committee to draft the regulations • Learning from the experience of others-Countries advanced in this technology • Reviewing available resources-Regulations from other countries, ICAO Doc 10019 • Capacity building-Training of technical committee • Consulting stakeholders and the general public

9. Challenges • Little experience to draw from • Regulating a new, fast-changing technology can be like shooting a moving target • Lines between risks, progressive flexibility not always obvious • Resources – human, financial • Managing public knowledge and expectations

10. The Milestones • January/2016: Formation of RPA Regulations Technical Committee • December/2016: Issuance of Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) on RPA • March/2017: Bench marking exercise at South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) in South Africa • May/2017: Training and licensing of Technical Committee by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States of America • June/2017: Sampling of RPA Regulations from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Rwanda, EASA and USA • 2017: Zero Draft RPA Regulations • October/2017: Placement of public notice in both the print and electronic media calling for interested parties to acquire copies of the draft regulations for commenting. • December/2017: National wide consultation meetings with the public • March/2018: Assessment of suggestions and comments from the public • June/2018: Final Zero Draft RPA Regulations to be submitted to Ministry of Justice for gazette

11. Regulations Development Technical Committee • Technical Committee includes: Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Home Affairs, DCA, Ministry of Health, UNICEF • Consultative meetings: • Total of approximately 60 participants in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu, including Operators, Media, NGOs, MACRA, academic institutions, Insurance Companies, Malawi Revenue Authority, Department of Survey etc.

12. RPA Regulations Development Process • Draws from international standards i.e. ICAO DOC 10019-RPAs Manual • We are mindful and cautious - information and data pertaining to RPA will evolve rapidly as countries and the aerospace industry advance their work and bring their input to ICAO • As a signatory to the Chicago Convention, Malawi receive regular updates on RPAs and a technical team which meets quarterly shall review these as applicable

13. Overview of Draft RPA Regulations • Part I-Preliminary Provisions • Part II-General Provisions • Part III-Approvals and Registration • Part IV-Personnel Licensing • Part V-RPA Operations • Part VI-Private, Recreational and Sports RPA Operations • Part VII-Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operator Certificate (ROC) • Part VIII-Maintenance • Part XI-Security Requirements for RPA Operations • Part X-Transition

14. RPA Activities Various activities continue to take place in the country: • Health supply chain systems • RPA corridor • Training and skills transfer • Emergency planning, simulation and response • Artificial Intelligence

15. Optimized diagnostics network and supply chain system Integrating drones into the diagnostics and health supply chain network to improve access to better health care.

16. Africa’s first humanitarian RPA testing corridor launched in Malawi by Government and UNICEF • The Government of Malawi and UNICEF launched an air corridor to test potential humanitarian use of RPAs • The corridor is the first in Africa and one of the first globally with a focus on humanitarian and development use

17. KASUNGU AERODROME RPA CORRIDOR

18. RPA Testing Corridor • On Kasungu Aerodrome, in central Malawi • 40km radius (80km diameter) • Designed to provide a controlled platform for the private sector, universities and other partners to explore how RPAs can be used to help deliver services that will benefit people and their communities.

19. GLOBHE IMAGERY Precision CONNECTIVITY / UTM UniFly / uaviaonix GLOBHE Virginia Tech TRANSPORT Ucanfly JD/Peking UNI Flypulse

20. Training students/skill transfer by Virginia Tech State Univ.

21. Disaster response – 2017 floods

22. Artificial Intelligence

23. National Coordination Platform • A technical platform led by DCA for all matters relating to RPA operations in Malawi • Main objective is to coordinate RPA use in Malawi and discuss RPA new developments • Comprised of technical people from the industry: UN Agencies, donors, NGOs, Ministries, Government Departments, Academia, etc. • First meeting took place on 9th Feb 2018 and will be meeting quarterly

24. Prospects of RPA • So far the process has received support from several stakeholders such as: • Gov. Departments e.g. Min. of Justice, Min. of Home Affairs, Min. of Defense, Min. of Health who participated in the technical team that drafted the regulations • Development Partner, such as UNICEF • Researchers utilizing the Corridor • Public e.g. communities around the corridor • Prospects for the future are very good • The regulations are anticipated to keep evolving with technology advancements

25. Any Questions???

26. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!