Framework of regulation of use of remote-piloted vehicles according to European example to be created in Moldova

Chisinau, 19 July /MOLDPRES/ - The process of elaboration of a regulation on the operation of remote-piloted vehicles (drones) was considered at a working meeting at the government today. Prime Minister Pavel Filip said that the technologies presently were developing quicker, so that first innovations appear on the market and afterwards regulations come. A similar situation emerged also in the case of drones, which are used without the existence of a regulatory framework to this end, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.   

Representatives of the aviation authority informed that, at present, competent persons work on a draft regulation on the operation of remote-piloted vehicles. The document sees the establishment of a functional mechanism, based on practices of the European Union states. The regulation is to allow and favour the development of these new technologies and, at the same time, to ensure the observance of the rights and interests of the residents, such as health and physical integrity and right to private life. 

The procedure of registration of drones will be simple. The registration application will be submitted online, along with the declaration on one’s own responsibility. After the registration procedure, a document on the identification of the drone – QR code – will be issued. At the same time, the owner of the pilotless flying apparatus will be informed about the rules of its use in the air space of Moldova.   

The draft provides for limiting the right to make flights in restricted zones, such as airports, state border regions, strategic objects, embassies or penitentiaries. The document establishes also the mechanism of getting the notification for the use of the flying apparatus on the purpose of video recording, stipulated in the draft law on the regime of video means, elaborated by the National Centre for Personal Data Protection.  

The regulation is to be approved by the Civil Aviation Authority – the only body from Moldova having right to set the rules of flight and the banned zones in the Moldovan air space.   

A drone is a pilotless flying apparatus guided by a pilot in an automated way and digitally onboard, by remote control from a control centre on the ground or which is placed in another piloted aircraft. Drones initially appeared and were developed in the military sector; yet, they become more and more spread in the civil sector too, with their number permanently increasing.