Drone use has becoming increasingly popular, and with their increasing use has come increasing problems.
This year, according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), there have been 10 near misses involving drones and aircrafts in the UK alone.
This number can only rise.
As a result, aviation authorities representing airlines, pilots and airports across Europe have called for drone – and drone owner – registration.
In a joint statement, these authorities said: “To ensure safe drone operations – and in the absence of a European legal framework for drones below 150 kg – many European Member States introduced regulations for drones at national level.”
“However, these national rules are not harmonized and some of them regulate commercial drone operators in no stricter manner than for recreational users.”
The ability to track drones would improve compliance with these European regulations.
See also: How to solve the danger of the drone
Registration is already in place in the US for drones weighing more than 228g.
However, interestingly the UK’s CAA feels that registration is not the answer.
“Our overall aim is to prevent any kind of conflict in the air from happening in the first place,” a spokesman told the BBC.
“Registration has advantages, but it’s a complicated decision to make about what the benefits of registration are.”
Instead preventative measures are seen as the desirable solution in safeguarding aircrafts from drones.
A Chinese drone maker, DJI, has developed a preventative software termed geofencing.
This restricts drone altitude and distance capabilities, preventing them from flying over sensitive areas.
See also: Drone usage under review as manufacturer creates airport opt-out
Similarly, Apollo Shield is a company that develops anti-drone technology.
It has recently launched an anti-drone system that detects drones flying where they’re not authorised or wanted, and forces them to fly home.
The system uses a ground unit that contains a radio and antennae that scans the area for drones.
The technology allows the user to intercept a drone, and can command it to return home.
These technologies, combined with drone user education, will be vital in maintaining aircraft safety and privacy in a skyline that will soon be dominated drones.
