More than half of British people said there should be prison sentences for those flying drones in a way that endangers aircraft, according to a survey from the British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA).
The study showed that the majority of people surveyed said there should be stricter rules on the qualifications needed to fly a drone in urban areas.
BALPA will present the survey results at a summit on the safety challenges raised by Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS).
BALPA general secretary Jim McAuslan said: “Drone technology is taking off and we want to make sure the country can benefit from the business and leisure opportunities that it could offer without putting flight safety at risk.
“Pilots and the public want the UK to be a ‘safe drone zone’ and these polling results show that the public backs stricter laws on training for drone pilots and punishment for endangering aircraft.
“The UK can lead the way on safely introducing small drones and set the standard for the passenger aircraft of the future. Pilots are also calling for the British public to be informed, involved and consulted before companies fly large, remotely-piloted aircraft over their homes and alongside their passenger planes.”
Read an article on how drones are being used to help advances in aviation technology.