Pilots call for 'safe drone zone' in UK skies amid fears of hijacks
Pilots call for 'safe drone zone' in UK skies amid fears of hijacks
Pilots are demanding the UK becomes a "safe drone zone" to protect against potential risks such as remote hijacks and poorly-trained operators. BALPA, the pilot's association, will tell the House of Lords today that tighter rules are needed to govern larger drones. It wants them to be subject to the same safety standards as traditional aircraft, including only being flown by operators with pilot-equivalent training, as well as protection to reduce the chance of hackers seizing mid-air control.
The technology is developing quickly. Large unmanned aircraft, when they come, should be as safe as manned aircraft and the British public should be fully consulted before companies fly large, remotely-piloted aircraft over their homes alongside passenger planes.
BALPA general secretary Jim McAuslan
Drones - officially referred to as Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) - are becoming more popular for both hobby and commercial use. Television and video production companies are increasingly using them to film high-quality birds-eye footage. Drones can only currently be flown in the UK over private property with the land owner's permission. Amazon has tested out drone parcel drops and the United Arab Emirates wants to use them to deliver documents such as driving licences. A report led by the former head of GCHQ has said the devices pose "significant safety, security and privacy concerns". It warned they could be exploited by burglars, train robbers, poachers and the paparazzi.
There need to be codes of conduct, we need to have discussions about what privacy means in this new world where you can fly something up to someone's window.
Jennifer Gibson, a legal expert on RPAS
