The British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) has raised concern over the rising number of close calls involving commercial aircraft and drones. 2016 saw 69 incidents reported, more than double 2015’s 29, while 2013 had none.
BALPA has now cautioned that there could be more close encounters- or even a collision, between drones and commercial aircraft, seeing as drones were one of the UK’s most popular Christmas gifts. The pilots’ association is calling for severe penalties for drone users who endanger airliners.
Steve Landells, BALPA's flight safety specialist, says: “Drones can be great fun and we’re not surprised at their popularity over Christmas as people received them as presents.
“However, after a significant increase in near-misses last year it seems not everyone who is flying them either know or care about the rules that are in place for good reason.
“That’s why we’re urging anyone who has a drone to take a look at the Civil Aviation Authority’s ‘drone code’ and be proactive in educating themselves on the rules.
“While we take no issue with people who fly their drones in a safe and sensible manner, some people who fly them near airports or densely populated areas are behaving dangerously.
“Measures should be put in place that will allow the police to identify and locate anyone who flies a drone in an irresponsible way.
“Owing to the huge numbers of drones being sold, more technological solutions will undoubtedly be required to address this problem and should be mandated.”
Those solutions, Landells said, include geofencing—inbuilt electronic barriers which prevent the drones from being flown into prohibited areas— and “a system whereby the drone transmits enough data for the police to locate the operator when it is flown in a dangerous manner.”
The UK government on January 4th launched a consultation document aimed at regulating flying of drones and their use in making commercial deliveries.
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