The association recently called on the
Government to introduce strict regulations protecting commercial airlines and
passengers before allowing large-scale drones to be flown in UK airspace. BALPA says its members are already concerned
after a number of run-ins with smaller drones that are not yet regulated as
strictly as pilots would like.
In one such incident this past May (2014),
a drone came within 25 metres of a commercial flight landing at Southend
Airport. Though 25 metres may not sound
a dangerously close distance to the average airline passenger, it is much too
close for a pilot trying to control a large passenger jet on a landing
approach. The drone in this case was
close enough to cause great concern.
BALPA contends that the smaller drones now
in use post enough concern for commercial pilots. Larger drones eventually
intended to carry cargo could pose even more danger in the skies. The association says the rules that currently
regulate small drones would be ineffective and inappropriate for larger
vehicles.
BALPA is not against the use of drones in
UK airspace. In fact, the association's
general secretary says the UK should welcome the unmanned aircraft in order to
take advantage of the opportunities these offer however he says drones should
be as safe as manned aircraft at all times.
He went on to say that UK residents deserve to be informed before any
sort of unmanned aircraft is flown over their neighbourhoods.
Regulations Are Coming
It is important to hear from organisations
such as BALPA in regards to unmanned aircraft.
The fact is that it is only a matter of time before larger commercial
drones are operating in our skies to handle everything from cargo delivery to
data communications to wireless networking.
Moreover, with that inevitability is the reality that regulations are
coming also. In making its voice heard
now, BALPA is ensuring that it has a place at the table when the discussion on
regulation commences.
With multiple stakeholders networking and
sharing ideas, regional regulations can be put in place that will let us make
the best use of drones without endangering the public. That's what this is all about. By being proactive with regulations, the UK
can create an environment that allows us to be a world leader in yet another
emerging technology. To that end, it is
imperative that policy makers get to work on creating regulations now, before
those larger drones are ready to take to the skies.
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