European pilots demand sub 1kg drone rules
New drone technology poses risks that must be on the radar screen of
manufacturers, users and regulators, warn European pilots.
In a new position paper, the European Cockpit Association - the European
pilots' union - have outlined a number of prerequisites for the safe integration
of light RPAS, often referred to as 'toys', into Europe's low level
airspace.
"A broad misconception is that small drones are harmless 'toys' flying at
low level. However, RPAS, even light ones below 1 kg, can cause significant or
even catastrophic damage to, for example, helicopters in case of a collision as
helicopters have a number of vulnerable, critical components, such as the tail
rotor or main rotor head," ECA President Dirk Polloczek said.
"Even below 500 feet there is a lot of air traffic, such as air ambulances,
police or fire fighting. The same applies to the airspace next to airports, with
a frequent incoming and outgoing traffic. Contrary to scheduled airline flights,
most of the low-level air traffic (e.g. police or air ambulances) are not
predictable in time and place, but all are subjected to strict air operations
rules. So should RPAS be."
At this moment recommendations for worldwide requirements for RPAS are
being developed by the Joint Authorities for Rulemaking on Unmanned Systems
(JARUS).
In Europe, the National Civil Aviation Authorities are currently
responsible for RPAS operations with a weight of 150 kg or less, which leads to
diverging rules from state to state.
With the 'Riga Declaration', signed by the European Commission and various
stakeholders, and the European Aviation Safety Agency's proposed 'Concept of
Operations' Europe has taken a decisive step to open its skies for
RPAS.
ECA has outlined a set of key regulatory standards to ensure safety in
lower level airspace when RPAS are integrated with other traffic:
*ECA has outlined a set of key regulatory standards to ensure safety in
lower level airspace when RPAS are integrated with other traffic:
*Placing responsibility to see and avoid manned aircraft on the pilot of
the RPAS;
*Training and licensing of RPAS-pilots in a way that knowledge and skills -
but also awareness and airmanship - are on a comparable level as manned aircraft
pilots;
*Compulsory registration for all RPAS;
*Informing the public about the dangers of recreational RPAS (DOs and
DON'Ts).
"The commercial advantages and possibilities of Remotely Piloted Aircraft
Systems (RPAS) or 'drones' seem almost unlimited. And because of decreasing
costs, recreational users and companies using drones will be new actors in the
airspace."
"We face an immense challenge to safely integrate RPAS," said Philip von
Schöppenthau, ECA Secretary General. "The Riga Declaration spells out important
principles. But we need to be meticulous in our assessment and way forward when
it comes to the details. We simply cannot afford to fail. This would be
disastrous both for the RPAS industry and for aviation safety. As such we hope
that Europe's future drone rules will be a leading example worldwide when it
comes to safety and security."
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