K-Drone, Easy Safety Certification at Flight Test Site

Pilot Operation of Performance Test Report Issuance Service at Drone Flight Test Site

Current Status of Domestic Drone Performance Test Sites

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 28th that, together with the Korea Aviation Safety Technology Institute, it will sequentially begin a pilot service for issuing 'Performance Test Certificates' for domestically developed drones at five dedicated drone flight test sites nationwide (Incheon, Hwaseong, Yeongwol, Boeun, Goseong).

Drone performance tests can be applied for through the reservation system website of the dedicated drone flight test sites operated by the Korea Aviation Safety Technology Institute.

Currently, drones weighing over 25kg can have their performance verified through safety certification, whereas drones weighing 25kg or less have no objective method to confirm performance. When public institutions or other purchasers require proof of performance, sellers have faced burdens such as separately obtaining unnecessary performance certifications to submit. As of March this year, among approximately 34,171 registered drones in Korea, drones weighing 25kg or less account for 83.3% (28,469 units).

The issuance of drone performance test certificates will be piloted from July 28 to the end of September at the Incheon and Hwaseong dedicated drone flight test sites, covering eight inspection items. From October, after detailed improvements to the inspection procedures, the service will be expanded to all five dedicated drone flight test sites nationwide. The number of inspection items will also be gradually increased to 16.

Drone Flight Performance Test Items (16 Types)

During the pilot period, the performance test targets will primarily be drones weighing 25kg or less among unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) defined under the Aviation Safety Act (unmanned airplanes, unmanned helicopters, unmanned multicopters weighing 150kg or less). However, if manufacturers wish, the flight test certificate issuance service will also be provided for medium and large drones exceeding 25kg.

Kim Dong-ik, Director of the Advanced Aviation Division at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, stated, "This pilot service is expected to be a welcome system for the industry, which has struggled to prove the performance of well-made drones and faced difficulties in sales."