NorWiscPilot
Premium Pilot
I will try to stay on topic by discussing the actual article.
From the airport personnel to the prime minister; from the general public to the British Airline Pilots Association... references are being made to stricter laws already put in place, tighter restrictions are needed, etc. The Pilots Association calling for a wider no fly zone mandate.
What seems to be missing from the conversation here is one glaring observation: this incident is being considered "a deliberate act to shut down airport operations..."
If this is true, no amount of regulations, restrictions, certifications, banning the use of, et al is going to make any difference to anyone with the resources to carry out something like this. If someone or some "group" is determined to carry out acts like that being portrayed in the article, they are going to do it.
Remind anyone of any other similar topics - something happens and everyone demands tighter controls? The old adage "laws are for law abiding citizens" applies to unmanned aerial operations as well. Outlaws don't care about laws.
My hope, aside from the truth coming out about the Gatwick incident, is that civil discussions will continue, including how law abiding citizens (pilots) are already keeping their airspace safe. It is the ones who feel the laws do not apply to them that will continue to endanger the safe and cooperative use of the skies.
Best wishes to all affected by the situation being discussed. Hopefully a swift resolution will be forthcoming if not already done so.
Jeff
From the airport personnel to the prime minister; from the general public to the British Airline Pilots Association... references are being made to stricter laws already put in place, tighter restrictions are needed, etc. The Pilots Association calling for a wider no fly zone mandate.
What seems to be missing from the conversation here is one glaring observation: this incident is being considered "a deliberate act to shut down airport operations..."
If this is true, no amount of regulations, restrictions, certifications, banning the use of, et al is going to make any difference to anyone with the resources to carry out something like this. If someone or some "group" is determined to carry out acts like that being portrayed in the article, they are going to do it.
Remind anyone of any other similar topics - something happens and everyone demands tighter controls? The old adage "laws are for law abiding citizens" applies to unmanned aerial operations as well. Outlaws don't care about laws.
My hope, aside from the truth coming out about the Gatwick incident, is that civil discussions will continue, including how law abiding citizens (pilots) are already keeping their airspace safe. It is the ones who feel the laws do not apply to them that will continue to endanger the safe and cooperative use of the skies.
Best wishes to all affected by the situation being discussed. Hopefully a swift resolution will be forthcoming if not already done so.
Jeff