The ARCO Aviation Academy has appealed to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to enforce stricter regulations against uncertified drone pilots flying within the country’s airspace.
The academy warned that the unchecked operation of drones by untrained individuals poses a serious threat to aviation safety, potentially endangering aircraft and passengers.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony of 12 newly certified Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) drone pilots in Port Harcourt on Friday, the academy’s Chief Instructor, Samuel Sunday, emphasized the need for tighter oversight.
“Drone pilots must undergo proper training to ensure airspace safety. When uncertified individuals fly drones indiscriminately, they risk interfering with aircraft operations and endangering lives,” Sunday stated.
He urged the NCAA to restrict airspace access strictly to certified drone pilots, noting that proper regulation would help maintain aviation safety standards.
Sunday highlighted that ARCO Aviation Academy, accredited by the NCAA just three months ago, has already trained and certified 14 drone pilots after rigorous classroom and field sessions focused on airspace safety.
“ARCO Aviation Academy is Nigeria’s first NCAA-certified drone training institution. It was established to curb capital flight and provide Nigerians with opportunities to earn drone pilot certifications locally rather than traveling abroad,” he explained.
He also commended the new graduates, urging them to be responsible ambassadors of the academy and uphold professionalism in their drone operations.
Sunday noted that the drone industry holds vast opportunities across various sectors, from security and agriculture to logistics and media, but warned that non-compliance with safety regulations could lead to certificate revocation by the NCAA.
“The future of drone piloting is wide and promising, but only for those who operate responsibly and within the law,” he added.
— Hobnob News
