DHAKA: Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) asked universities/colleges, which have been taking in development and research work on different drones/remote controlled light aircraft, to abide by the appropriate rules & regulations of BAF.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a press release, signed by Assistant director Md Noor Islam, in this regard Saturday.
The release reads as below:
“Recently in various universities/colleges of Bangladesh, departmental or personal initiative has been taken in development and research work on different drones/remote controlled light aircraft.
Bangladesh Air Force (BAF), the ever vigilant and defender of our sky, always welcomes and encourages such indigenous effort and initiative.
However, of late, it has been observed with great concern that the experimental flights of these mock-up drones are conducted without any permission from appropriate authority which is likely to pose serious hazard to flight safety.
Furthermore, the possibility of collision/ near-air-miss by these experimental drones with other civil/military aircraft cannot be ruled out due to lack of prior information on such test flights.
Mentionable that all the aircraft flying inside Bangladesh airspace are authorized, regulated and controlled by the civil aviation authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) and Air Force as per laid down policies &rules.
Besides, any type of aircraft (civil, military, drone, remote controlled light aircraft/helicopter) intended to be flown in any place other than prescribed air routes needs to seek opinion and obtain permission & prior approval from the BAF authority.
Since, the main responsibility of defending the airspace of Bangladesh is vested on BAF, so it must be intimated to BAF well in advance on any movement in Bangladesh airspace.
In light of above, all institutions (universities, college, civil and government organizations) are hereby requested by the BAF authority to abide by the appropriate rules & regulations of CAAB and BAF in this regard.”
BDST: 1715 HRS, FEB 1, 2014
