Droning on about Drones

Over the past couple of years, remote controlled quadcopters have become increasingly available and affordable. Previously the word “drone” was usually related to CIA operated unmanned aircraft used for international surveillance – spying – with millions of $ of related technology on board but the new generation, costing as little as £30.00  or £70.00 complete with video camera, bring a danger that is not fully appreciated.

I would classify 4 types of user.

1. At the serious end of the market, higher end drones operated by QUALIFIED PILOTS, (yes Pilots as to use these professionally requires training and licensing) and who can deliver amazing and impressive pictures with a variety of onboard cameras depending on the aircraft.

2. Professional users (filming for remuneration) who aren’t qualified and are therefore using them illegally which equates to using them irresponsibly and are liable for prosecution.

3. Amateurs, possibly oblivious to the dangers, who see them as a toy.

4. Mindless individuals, who use them irresponsibly and pose a danger to anyone or anything in the area they are flying.

Even the cheapest drone without a camera is still governed by Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulations. They can be found  here

In summary:

The ‘pilot’ is wholly responsible that it is flown safely. It must be kept within the visual line of sight (normally taken to be within 500 m horizontally and 400 ft vertically) of the person operating it.  Use beyond these distances must be approved by the CAA (the basic premise being for the operator to prove that he/she can do this safely).

The aircraft must NOT be flown: over or within 150 metres of any congested area, over or within 150 metres of an organised open-air assembly of more than 1,000 persons,  within 50 metres of any vessel, vehicle or structure which is not under the control of the person in charge of the aircraft, within 50 metres of any person, except during take-off or landing where it must not be flown within 30 metres of any person except for the person in charge of the aircraft.

Any drone that is being used for surveillance purposes or for paid  aerial filming requires CAA permission.

So why all the fuss? Given that any of these units can weigh up to 20Kilos  TWENTY BAGS OF SUGAR, it’s hardly the sort of thing you want crashing to the ground. “It’s only light and we’re only having fun”. Even the lightest, cheapest drone flying out of control and hitting someone or worse a small child can cause life changing injuries.

There are so called professionals operating these, at events like weddings overflying the guests, there are idiots flying them in parks, there are criminals using them to “survey” a potential burglary target , doing drugs drops into prisons and even more worryingly “super morons” who have flown them close to approach paths of airports. Recently someone on Streetlife found a small quadcopter crashed in their back garden…supposing it had crashed onto somebody?

At IBC (International Broadcasting Convention) in Amsterdam last year, a colleague and I spoke to the Sales Director of one of the largest manufacturers of Drones. His biggest concern for the future of his industry was safety, irresponsible resellers not reiterating regulations and irresponsible users ignoring the regulations and  posing a serious safety threat.

How long before we see the TV ads for “Have you or a member of your family been injured by a drone…?” In summary how long before a drone is responsible for a death or life changing injury?

From a professional perspective, I don’t do Drones but I “know a man that does”. In fact I know at least three colleagues, who I work with, all professionals with state of the art kit. All have invested heavily in training to have the right qualifications, the right insurance and extensive experience.

Comments are closed.