We are in the age of
constant discovery of new technology and the world seems not to be ready to
relax yet. Humans all over the globe are constantly and passionately engaging
in one discovery or the other. The whole essence of this research is aimed at
ensuring a life of comfort and convenience. It is
this quest for convenience
that led them to the invention of drones.
Drones with their
advantages also have many drawbacks. They can be used to spy on an innocent. It
can lead to invasion of privacy. Since drones are too easy to buy now, it
becomes a serious concern. Almost anyone can go into an electronics store and
buy a drone off the shelf for only $ 100. And if it lands in the wrong hands,
several problems can arise. To mitigate this, several countries are coming up
with their own laws so as to better protect their citizens. Some time ago, an
11 year old girl was hit with the debris of a crashing drone. Moreover, pilots
have reported almost two dozen near misses with drones. Keeping these things in
mind, it is highly necessary that laws on drones be made and even more
necessary that the common man know about these laws.
We would, for the
time-being, be discussing about the laws in the United States of America and
the United Kingdom.
UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA
In the United States of
America, there are laws that are governing the use or deployment of your drone.
Let us have a look at some of the laws.
1.
REGISTATION
OF DRONES WITH THE FEDERAL AVIATION AUTHORITY (FAA):
It
is the policy of this statutory body, whose duties are to regulate activities
in the USA airspace, that any drone that weighs more than 55lbs or less than
that must be registered with the FAA. Not only this, registration is limited to
American citizens and legal permanent residents. The logic of this registration
is to prevent violation of other people’s privacy.
2.
COMMERCIAL
USE OF DRONES:
The
laws governing the usage of drones in the USA do not allow you to fly your
drones without obtaining a special clearance that will make you fly it for
commercial purposes of making profit. If the drone is not to be used for
commercial purposes, a clearance is not necessary which is explained below.
3.
PERSONAL
USE:
There
is no law on personal use of drones other than the law that is presently
governing the use of model aircrafts. However, while using the drone for
personal use, there are some limitations that it cannot be flown in areas called
“NO FLY ZONES”. These include the White House, the national parks and any other
important installation of the country.
4.
GUIDELINES
FOR FLYING:
You
are to maintain the flight of your drone within the altitude limit of 400 feet.
You are to keep your personal drones within eyesight and possibly with the
employment of an expert if there is need for that. You are also not expected to
intentionally fly over unprotected persons, vulnerable properties and moving
vehicles. Above all you are to keep a distance of 25 feet from vulnerable
persons.
5.
SURVEILLANCE:
You
are not to conduct surveillance activities with your drone in an area wherever
privacy is required without express permission.
6.
IMPLICATION
OF NOT REGISTERING:
The
law makes it mandatory that you are to register your drone. Failure to do so
will be tantamount to criminal acts and the penalty is a fine of $250,000 or 3
years imprisonment.
UNITED
KINGDOM
It will interest readers
to know that a 42 year old man was convicted in the United Kingdom on September
16, 2015 for flying a drone without obtaining permission. His drone was flown
over a stadium. According to the Metropolitan Police, this was the first
conviction in respect of illegal drone flying. This is to tell us about the
severity of not obtaining permission before flying drones. It also tells us
that the drones are no longer in use by the military only. They are deployed
for various reasons such as search and rescue operations, distribution of
hospital equipment to remote and inaccessible areas. Farmers also are engaged
in the usage of this wonderful invention of technology for aerial surveillance
of their farm produce. What a great invention indeed.
Talking of laws
relating to drones in the United Kingdom, the agency that is responsible with
the control of the airspace is the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). There are
rules and regulations which must be strictly observed by which you can deploy
your drones in the United Kingdom.
1.
COMPULSORY
REGISTRATION:
The
House of Lords (EU Committee) has called for the compulsory registration of
both private and commercial usage of drones in the UK. This call came as a
result of fear that many people do not have sufficient knowledge of aviation
rules.
2.
RESTRICTED
FLYING ZONES:
At
present in the UK, there are no particular rules or regulations that prohibit
the purchase of drones, but there are restrictions on the weight and flying
zones.Your drones must weigh less than 20 KGs and must not be used for
commercial reasons. Also flying is restricted to 150 meters within a congested
area.
3.
FLIGHT
WITHIN SIGHT:
Drones
flight must be within sight. This means that you cannot go beyond the regulated
limit of 400 feet in altitude while in flight. Maximally, CAA allows you to fly
500 feet horizontally. Should there be need for your drone to go beyond these
regulated limits, you are to file an application to the agency seeking its
approval first.
4.
COMMERCIAL
USAGE:
The
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) also makes it mandatory that commercial usage of
drones needs to be registered with the agency. In issuing a license, the
applicant must show a sufficient evidence of competence and experience in the
use of drones.
There is no doubt about
the fact that drone technology has indeed made life easier than ever before in
many aspects. However, with enjoyment come responsibilities. No one has the
authority to infringe upon the rights of others under the pretext of enjoyment
and comfort. Keeping this in mind, the aviation authorities have come up with
the above mentioned laws. No matter how harsh they seem, they are for the good
of the people. We hope that the users would strictly follow the laws and
regulations laid down by their respective countries to avoid any harmful
incident.
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