Concerns over drones


Pilots’ union BALPA says new research reinforces its concerns that the number of drone flights in controlled airspace is being underestimated. 


Research by Eurocontrol involved the monitoring of airspace around Riga airport in Latvia. Over a 37-day period, the study recorded 171 drone flights, of which 91% were considered illegal because they broke national regulations, such as height limits or rules about how close to an airport you can fly. Only two flights (1%) had been authorised by the Latvian civil aviation authority.


BALPA says the results are worrying and show regulation alone is not enough. Training, education and enforcement of drone laws is also vital, along with a means for drones to be electronically identifiable, it says.


The union has welcomed increased police enforcement powers in the proposed Unmanned Aircraft Bill, currently making its way through parliament, but is calling for a similar study of drone usage in controlled airspace in the UK. 


https://www.balpa.org/Media-Centre/Press-Releases/New-study-shows-drone-presence-in-controlled-airsp