2016年CRI China Issues First ＂Traffic Rules＂ for Civilian Drones

 

Li Bin¹ started learning how to fly drones just three months ago.

But now, he has passed the licensing² test and become a coach at Beijing Tiantu Aviation Technology Company.

Based on Li's experience, flying drones could be dangerous if no proper rules are put in place.

"Drones are not airplane models. They are much bigger and heavier. Even when a seven-kilogram one falls on the ground, it would not only be smashed, but it could also hit people. If people fly drones wherever and whenever they want, it will be a mess."

Right now, the number of qualified³ drone pilots in China exceeds 2,000. At the same time, up to 20,000 civilian⁴ drones are being flown.

However, the growing popularity of drones in the country has also triggered some safety concerns.

Last November, a video captured by a private drone showed a Chinese fighter jet making a landing - but the drone almost hit the jet.

Ke Yubao, secretary-general of China's Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, says without certain rules, the situation could be very dangerous.

"Can you imagine what will happen, if there are no traffic rules for cars, no requirement for drivers' licenses⁵ and no number plates for cars? It's the same for aircraft in the sky."

Earlier this month, the Civil Aviation Administration of China issued specific regulations over different types of drones being flown in the country.

By doing so, the civil aviation regulator has classified them into seven categories based on their weight and functions.

The idea of big data management and China's "Internet Plus" strategy has also been introduced into the regulations.

Ke Yubao says it is very necessary to differentiate⁶ requirements for the various drone types.

"For those light and small consumer drones, the rules are relatively⁷ loose, so it will be convenient for ordinary people to play around. But for those big and heavy business-purpose drones, the rules are much more restricted, as they could cause more danger to people."

In recent years, drones have been widely used for agriculture, environmental protection, and disaster relief missions in China.

It is also estimated that drone production and sales in the country are set to exceed 100-billion yuan, or 15 billion US dollars in the next decade.

For CRI, I am Wang Mengzhen.

1 bin   

n.箱柜；vt.放入箱内；[计算机] DOS文件名:二进制目标文件

参考例句：

• He emptied several bags of rice into a bin.他把几袋米倒进大箱里。
• He threw the empty bottles in the bin.他把空瓶子扔进垃圾箱。

2 licensing   

v.批准，许可，颁发执照( license的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• A large part of state regulation consists of occupational licensing. 大部分州的管理涉及行业的特许批准。 来自英汉非文学 - 行政法
• That licensing procedures for projects would move faster. 这样的工程批准程序一定会加快。 来自辞典例句

3 qualified   

adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的

参考例句：

• He is qualified as a complete man of letters.他有资格当真正的文学家。
• We must note that we still lack qualified specialists.我们必须看到我们还缺乏有资质的专家。

4 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

5 licenses   

n.执照( license的名词复数 )v.批准，许可，颁发执照( license的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Drivers have ten days' grace to renew their licenses. 驾驶员更换执照有10天的宽限期。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Jewish firms couldn't get import or export licenses or raw materials. 犹太人的企业得不到进出口许可证或原料。 来自辞典例句

6 differentiate   

vi.(between)区分；vt.区别；使不同

参考例句：

• You can differentiate between the houses by the shape of their chimneys.你可以凭借烟囱形状的不同来区分这两幢房子。
• He never learned to differentiate between good and evil.他从未学会分辨善恶。

7 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。