Drone safeguards urged by UK pilots

[Anmer]

Strict regulations will need to be introduced before large drones are allowed to appear in the UK's skies, pilots association Balpa has said.

It says the public must be protected against remotely-controlled drones sharing airspace with regular aircraft.

Current rules on small drones could not apply to commercial operators, such as those carrying cargo, Balpa's chief is to tell a House of Lords committee.

The government says "robust safety measures" will remain in place.

Drones, which are officially known as Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), range in size from small craft operated by enthusiasts, TV companies, police forces and surveyors and weighing a few kilograms, to larger military devices.

Balpa says remote aircraft the same size as small passenger planes could be operated commercially in the UK within 10 years.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29781931