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Your opinion of drones

(58 Posts)
TerriBull Mon 18-Apr-16 09:40:37

It seems that a British Airways plane was struck by a drone as it was coming into land, fortunately the drone appeared to be small and as such didn't seem to have had any sort of impact on the plane, or more importantly the passengers and crew. Potentially they could be a menace or a real threat if one was sucked into the engine or one of the crew were injured. The security implications are also somewhat alarming. I know very little about these gadgets but I did read a report about a member of the public being struck by one. Should any old Tom, Dick and Harry be allowed to buy these machines without any sort of licence. They could well make a nuisance of themselves with one or be danger to others, such as the idiot who was operating theirs onto the pathway of an airport runway as a plane was descending. Your thoughts on the matter.

Anya Fri 22-Apr-16 16:11:51

I'm not neccessarily saying children should be banned from flying them pompa but not allowed to buy them. Then the registered owner ( usually a parent?) would be responsible for ensuring training and safety procedures were followed, or they (the adult) would be banned or have a fine and points on their license.

durhamjen Fri 22-Apr-16 18:39:39

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/drone-rules-everything-you-need-to-know-to-fly-domestic-drones-legally-a6994291.html

durhamjen Fri 22-Apr-16 18:46:24

Do you think that two of the rules conflict?
Not allowed to fly higher than 122 m.
Not allowed to fly within 150 m of a crowd of more than 1000 people.
Also not allowed to fly within 50 m of people and buildings.

I think a drone flying over and taking photos of people on demos would be impossible, which is good.

pompa Fri 22-Apr-16 19:39:29

No, I can't see a conflict, one rule applies to public demonstration, the other to normal flying near dwellings or individuals (eg a footpath)

The BMFA has stricter rules and most clubs also apply local rules to protect the public from danger and nuisance.

pompa Fri 22-Apr-16 19:46:23

Regarding taking pictures over demos, the CAA can issue exemptions, so the police probably could.

durhamjen Fri 22-Apr-16 20:03:07

But if you are not allowed to fly higher than 122 metres, you cannot fly over a crowd, because you are not allowed to fly at 150 metres.

pompa Fri 22-Apr-16 20:37:14

Correct.