Six serious incidents in the last year sees CAA finally issue warning to drone pilots

Six incidents in the UK over the last year involving aircraft and drones have forced the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) to issue a warning to drone users over improper use and the requirement for drone pilots to follow a code of conduct. In the UK it is against the law to recklessly endanger an aircraft, an offense which is punishable by imprisonment. Incidents in the UK over the last year include one last July involving an A320 and a black object which flew 20ft over its wing as it came in to land at Heathrow. In March this year, the pilot of a 150-seat Airbus A320 which was approaching Heathrow at an altitude of 1,800ft noticed a black object, thought to be a drone, which was tracking along the approach path in the direction of the plane, passing above it by some 50ft.
Elsewhere in Europe and only last Monday the crew of a Lufthansa Embraer ERJ-195 reported a near collision with a drone which came within 300ft at an altitude of 2,500ft. The purchase of drones is growing exponentially and in the UK alone there are over 800 companies which are registered to use drones. However private individuals neither need to register their drone or obtain any form of license to fly one. The warnings from the CAA and pilots follow increasing concerns over the impact on safety drones are having globally. Only last week firefighters in California claimed that lives were put at risk when helicopters were unable to douse forest fires because of all hobbyist drone pilots flying their devices above the fires.
“Drone users must understand that when taking to the skies they are entering one of the busiest areas of airspace in the world,” said Tim Johnson, the CAA’s director of policy. Based on the UK’s existing Air Navigation Order, drone pilots must only fly their craft within sight – roughly 500 metres – they must not fly them at an altitude higher than 122 metres, and if also fitted with a camera, must respect privacy guidelines. With the current boom in drones, the European Union is working on new regulations for drones to protect the privacy and safety of citizens.