Safety & Compliance
Flying responsibly is non-negotiable.
Aero Forge is an early-stage R&D startup. Every design decision, test, and operational choice we make is guided by India's DGCA Drone Rules 2021 — from day one.
Pre-launch notice
We are in R&D stage only.
Aero Forge has not yet conducted any public or commercial UAV flights. All current activity is confined to research, simulation, and controlled sub-scale prototype testing. No operational UAV has been deployed. This page reflects our compliance commitments as we build toward that stage — not claims of current certification or operational status.
What are the DGCA Drone Rules 2021?
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued the Drone Rules 2021 under the Aircraft Act, 1934, establishing India's first comprehensive regulatory framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). The rules govern drone classification, registration, airspace usage, operator certification, and safety requirements for all UAV activity in Indian airspace.
Drone Classification
Rule 6 — CategoriesWhat the rule says
Drones are classified by weight into Nano (under 250g), Micro (250g–2kg), Small (2–25kg), Medium (25–150kg), and Large (above 150kg) categories. Each category carries different regulatory obligations.
What it means for Aero Forge
Our target fixed-wing UAV platforms fall within the Small to Medium category. We are designing our systems with the regulatory obligations of these categories in mind from the earliest prototype stage.
UAS Registration & Digital Sky
Rule 10–15 — RegistrationWhat the rule says
All drones above the Nano category must be registered on the Digital Sky Platform, India's national UAS traffic management system. Registration assigns a Unique Identification Number (UIN) to each aircraft.
What it means for Aero Forge
Before any operational flight, all Aero Forge UAVs will be registered on the Digital Sky Platform. We are tracking the registration process as a mandatory pre-flight milestone in our development roadmap.
Airspace Zones & No-Fly Restrictions
Rule 24 — Airspace MapWhat the rule says
Indian airspace is divided into Green (permissible), Yellow (requires prior permission), and Red (prohibited) zones. Operations in Yellow zones require DGCA approval via Digital Sky. Red zones — including areas near airports, international borders, and sensitive installations — are strictly off-limits.
What it means for Aero Forge
All future Aero Forge test flights will be planned exclusively within Green zones or with explicit DGCA approval for Yellow zones. Airspace compliance is a hard constraint in our flight planning process, not an afterthought.
Remote Pilot Certificate
Rule 36–40 — Pilot CertificationWhat the rule says
Operators of Small, Medium, and Large category drones must hold a valid Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) issued by a DGCA-authorised Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO). The certificate requires passing a written examination and a practical skills test.
What it means for Aero Forge
Team members who will operate Aero Forge UAVs during testing will obtain their Remote Pilot Certificates through a DGCA-authorised RPTO before any flight operations begin. We treat pilot certification as a prerequisite, not a formality.
Manufacturer Authorisation
Rule 45–50 — Type Certificate & ManufacturerWhat the rule says
Drone manufacturers in India must obtain a Type Certificate from DGCA for each UAV model before commercial sale or deployment. The process involves design documentation, safety testing, and DGCA evaluation.
What it means for Aero Forge
Pursuing a Type Certificate is a long-term milestone on our roadmap. Our R&D process is structured to produce the documentation, test data, and safety evidence that a Type Certificate application will require — so compliance is built in, not retrofitted.
Third-Party Insurance
Rule 57 — InsuranceWhat the rule says
All drone operations (except Nano category) must be covered by third-party insurance for the duration of each flight. This protects against liability arising from accidents or incidents during UAV operations.
What it means for Aero Forge
Adequate third-party insurance will be in place for every Aero Forge test flight before operations begin. This is a non-negotiable requirement in our pre-flight checklist.
Our safety principles
Compliance first, always
We do not treat regulatory compliance as a box to tick before launch. DGCA rules shape our design decisions, test planning, and operational procedures from the earliest stage of development.
No shortcuts on testing
Every sub-scale prototype will be tested in controlled, safe environments before any scale-up. We will not advance to the next development phase without validating safety at the current one.
Honest about our stage
We are a pre-launch R&D team. We will not overstate our certifications, capabilities, or operational status. Our public communications will always reflect where we actually are in the development process.
Questions about our compliance approach?
We're happy to discuss our regulatory strategy with researchers, institutions, or potential collaborators.
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