Drones As Big As A 737 To Fly Over Britain In 10 Years, Say Pilots. So Let's Just... Think.

We're Just Years Away From '737-Sized' Drones Over Britain

You can see why: British pilots are demanding better protection for the public against the risks of drones.

Airline pilots' association Balpa will call for tougher rules for the use of large remote aircraft when it gives evidence before a House of Lords committee today.

Balpa wants drones, officially known as Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), which share airspace with passenger and freight airliners, to meet the same safety standards as piloted aircraft. This includes only being flown by operators with pilot-equivalent training.

It is are also calling for tougher security measures at ground level to protect against control of these aircraft being seized by force or by hacking into their computer systems.

Above: A Boeing 737.

Balpa says a full public consultation must be carried out before the Government sets rules on how larger commercial RPAS, for example carrying cargo, will operate over the UK's villages, towns and cities.

Balpa general secretary Jim McAuslan said: "The UK should become a 'safe drone zone' so we can make the most of the major business and leisure opportunities offered by remotely piloted aircraft, while protecting passengers, pilots and residents.

"The technology is developing quickly and we could see remote aircraft the same size as a Boeing 737 being operated commercially in our skies within 10 years."

"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."

A Department for Transport spokesman said:

"Civilian RPAS are closely regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority and are treated in the same manner as equivalent manned aircraft.

"Robust safety measures are currently in place to ensure that large RPAS are segregated from other airspace users. We will not allow the integration of RPAS with other air traffic until RPAS can demonstrate that this can be done safely.

"The UK is at the forefront of efforts to develop Europe-wide regulations on unmanned aircraft to become a global leader in this field. We are currently looking at how we can further engage with the public on this issue."

Close

What's Hot