Pilots insist new drone laws must go further to avoid ‘catastrophic collision’
Pilots have responded with alarm to the announcement of new laws on drones, saying they’re pleased the Government is taking steps but the restrictions need to go much further to make the use of drones near airports safe.
The British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) has previously called on the Government to tighten laws on drones after the steep rise in near-misses with aircraft in recent years.
The proposed new laws include limited restrictions that will allow drones to be flown up to 400 feet just one kilometre from an airport boundary, says BALPA.
It claims ‘this is a very dangerous situation’ as aircraft will already be lower than this at this point as they approach the airport. It said the new regulations must go further to avoid potential collisions.
BALPA flight safety specialist Steve Landells, said: "We’re pleased the Government is taking near-misses seriously and making changes to the law, but it is crucial that these go further to avoid a potential catastrophe.
"We hoped we would see something similar to the regulations introduced in Australia, which state that unmanned operations must not be flown within three nautical miles of an airfield.
"Safety in the UK is no less important than in Australia.
"BALPA is not anti-drone and we understand the commercial considerations in not making laws too restrictive, but a hobbyist drone has no business being flown near an airport and allowing this to happen increases the risk of a catastrophic collision."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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