Drones will have to be registered in UK safety clampdown

[T_i_B]

Drones may possibly be the future, but I don't envy the politicians who will have to regulate them!

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jul/22/drones-will-have-to-be-registered-in-uk-safety-clampdown

Drones will have to be registered and users forced to take a safety awareness test under new regulations announced by the UK government.

Under the rules, owners of drones weighing more than 250g – heavier than many available on the high street – will have to register their details and demonstrate that they understand safety and privacy laws that affect their use.

Aircraft pilots have been calling for a clampdown after a series of near-collisions between drones and passenger jets, particularly on approach or take-off from major airports, including Heathrow. Twenty-two incidents involving commercial airliners and possible drones were investigated by the Civil Aviation Authority’s Airprox Board in the first four months of this year. Police have not been able to trace the users of the drones.

Commercial drone operators are already obliged to complete a training course and register their drones with the CAA. Its rules state drones must not be flown above 120 metres (400ft), out of the user’s sight, over crowds or near aircraft and airports.

[Denzil_DC]

1. I only have a couple of personal experiences of drones.

When our neighbour was about to put his house on the market, the estate agent hired a drone photography company to take a movie of the property (it's quite an impressive stack). The neighbour warned us it was going to happen (I guess, forestalling my fishing out my catapult), and it wasn't a problem.

My heart sank when our other neighbour (who's family's been a bit of a PITA for years with unwarranted noise and disruption - no fun having 20 local kids playing baseball on their lawn overlooked by the largest window in our own house, and that's not the worst of it) started flying an amateur drone one afternoon. Within a minute, it ended up snagged in a tall tree, and we've not seen it fly since.

As with all things, irresponsible use leads to legislation. As you say, T_i_B, how they enforce against the most irresponsible/malicious users it is another matter.

I've heard that there's been some success in using large birds of prey to take them out.

Alternatively, perhaps trebuchets launching toilet rolls might do the trick:

[T_i_B]

2. Yes, Drones are great for surveyors

Although there are privacy issues with them. You wouldn't want some peeping Tom using one to look through your bedroom window for instance.

You have also touched on another issue with drones, which is people looking to bring them down. I know firms like Amazon are keen on the idea of delivery drones, but all that brings to mind for me is people on the ground with air rifles and crossbows. Especially if they are being used to deliver takeaway food!