Drone causes Gatwick Airport disruption

From the BBC:



Are drones capable of bringing down a plane? If so, what kind of [LIFTED] idiots are flying these toys around an airport?

What sort of idiots are flying them around an airport full-stop.

It is possible that they could get sucked into the engine, and depending on size, could damage it - just look at incidents caused by flocks of birds.

But the aviation authorities report that as a near-miss, when two flying objects come too close and regardless of size, one has to take avoiding action. As the drone pilot wasn't in radio contact with the tower, that only left making sure the planes were diverted away from the area.

In Germany it is also illegal to fly them anywhere other than at model aeroplane aerodromes or in the countryside. Flying them in built up areas, especially over private propery aka houses, is illegal, as is flying near an airfield. I assume at least the latter is also the case in the UK.

There are rules here. No flying in built up areas, near airports, people, etc.. So basically that means you’re in the countryside. There are also flying height limits as well. You also can’t use the for commercial purposes unless you have taken a course - and that’s renewed every year at a cost of around £1000.

Sorry, when I read the title I thought Boris Johnson was holding a rally there, or something.

With the recent escalation of terrorism and the threat of drones being used by terrorists, flying drones around airports is incredibly stupid. Certainly all drones should be shot down IMO (and maybe the operator too though that may be a step too far).