Educate drone operators to avoid collisions with manned aircraft: Rob Eagles

1. How dangerous are drones to civil aviation?

Safety reports from a number of civil aviation and safety authorities in the world have revealed a significant number of near-collisions. With the number of incidents increasing at a great rate, the potential for collisions between manned and unmanned aircraft is growing alarmingly. We do not yet have enough scientific data regarding the specific damages likely to be caused to manned aircraft of all types by these collisions.

2. Since companies and military forces are not going to limit the use of drones, what are the solutions to the threat they pose?

Many of the unmanned aircraft operators are new to the field of aviation. We believe that the hazards involving manned and unmanned aircraft operating together in the same airspace mean that drone operators need to be educated. We also believe that unmanned aircraft operating in non-segregated airspace need to operate in accordance with the same tried-and-tested concepts as manned aircraft — they will need to be operated in accordance with air traffic control instructions, have compatible communications and navigation capabilities and be able to be seen by air traffic controllers and manned aircraft. Where companies and military forces operate in segregated airspace, measures will have to be enforced to ensure that they remain within that airspace.

3. What is the exact number of drones that are posing a threat to civil aviation?

We don't have knowledge of this number. Even low-mass drones can pose a safety hazard.

4. How serious is the threat from drones in the Indian civil aviation context?

Drones are a threat in every airspace. We are not aware of any particular issue that distinguishes India from other states.

5. How are airlines cooperating to address these issues?

IATA is engaged with a number of other stakeholders, including the International Civil Aviation Organisation, a number of states, aircraft manufacturers and international organisations including NATO. We are together working to understand the situation in order to advocate fact-based, data-driven regulations and are preparing awareness and education material. In collaboration with IFALPA and ACI, we issued the attached joint statement earlier this year (focusing on low altitude operations around airports).

6. Any other comments?

This issue is evolving much faster than our industry is used to. We are working hard to ensure that airspace is shared safely between all (stakeholders).