Aviation associations representing airlines, pilots and airports across Europe called on Monday for mandatory registration and training of drone users following a number of near-misses between the unmanned devices and aircraft.
Drones are increasingly being used in areas such as agriculture, filming, for recreational use and for monitoring power plants and oil facilities.
That has led to a rise in the number of near-misses with aircraft as reported by pilots, especially on approach to landing, one of the most critical phases of flight.
Britain’s Civil Aviation Authority, for example, issued a warning last year after seven incidents in less than 12 months in which drones had flown near planes at different British airports. There have been more incidents this year.
There are currently no harmonised regulations across Europe for drones, although Europe’s aviation safety agency is working on a set of rules.
In a joint statement on Monday, European aviation associations called for the registration of all drones at the point of purchase and resale, mandatory training for drone users and the installation of technology to stop them from going too high, too far or into restricted areas near airports.
“Drones are such an appealing technology that many of the drone users are tempted to use them to the limits – or even beyond,” Dirk Polloczek, president of the European Cockpit Association said, adding more users were employing modifications to extend drones’ flight distance.
Highlighting their popularity, Paris held a drone festival at the weekend, allowing users to race their devices within an enclosed course on the Champs-Elysees.
