Drone danger in the sky

Ramesh Lutchmedial, the director general of Civil Aviation, told the Sunday Newsday that all drones will have to be registered and conditions will be attached for their use in order to ensure they do not pose a safety hazard to aircraft in flight or to people on the ground.

Draft regulations prepared by the aviation regulator had been submitted to the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel for review. However, I am concerned that since that time, more than a year ago, no update has been issued.

Are we awaiting a disaster before appropriate action is taken to control the use of drones? After the pilot of an aircraft travelling from Ottawa to Toronto in Canada last week had to take evasive action to avoid colliding with an unidentified flying object believed to be a drone, I decided to check on the dangers posed to aircraft in flight by drones.

I was surprised to find numerous articles on the Internet about “near misses” between drones and aircraft. An article published by the Federal Aviation Authority of the US on March 28 states that “drones are still flying dangerously close to airports and to airplanes in flight.” Between November 13, 2014 and August 20, 2015, 764 such incidents were reported.

Another FAA report on March 28 revealed that from August 22, 2015, through January 31, 2016, nearly 600 drones flew too close to airports or to aircraft in flight.

Also in 2015, more drones flew in restricted areas than in 2014 when there were 238 sightings.

FAA safety guidelines recommend that drones be not flown above 400 feet; must be kept within sight; must never be flown near other aircraft or within five miles of an airport; never be flown over groups of people; never fly near emergency response efforts such as fires; never fly by someone under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Some aircraft have been forced off course by drones. A recent report by a Bard College, US, research team stated that from December 2013 through September 2015, there were 28 incidents involving airplane pilots taking evasive action to avoid colliding with a drone.

An airplane pilot in North Carolina, US, observed a drone flying roughly 1,000 feet below his aircraft, which was 7,000 feet in the air. The drone was also flying within two miles of an airport.

There is a significant increase in popularity of these unmanned aerial vehicles. A recent FAA report stated that more than 406,000 people have registered their drones in the FAA’s drone registration database.

In the UK, according to statistics released by the Civil Aviation Authority, there were 23 near misses involving aircraft and drones between April and October 2015, including 12 which posed a threat of collision.

At the moment there is nothing to stop anyone from buying a drone, as long as it weighs less than 20 kg and is not being used for commercial purposes.

Transport Canada’s current guidelines say drones should be flown at least nine kilometres from airports, no higher than 90 metres above the ground, and at least 150 metres from people, buildings and vehicles. Transport Canada can impose fines of up to Can$25,000 for improper use of a recreational drone. Drones are becoming increasing popular in TT and while there have been no reported incidents involving drones and aircraft in flight, it is my hope that appropriate regulations are enacted soon to control their use before a major accident occurs.