The Federal Aviation Administration has a message for all those would-be pilots who got unmanned aircraft systems — more commonly known as drones — for Christmas this year: “Know Before You Fly.”
That’s the name of the educational campaign launched last week by the FAA and leading drone hobbyist and industry groups to provide prospective operators with the information and guidance they need to fly responsibly.
Tops on their list of dos and don’ts: Don’t fly more than 400 feet high, do keep your drone in sight at all times, don’t fly within five miles of an airport and stay away from large crowds.
According to the FAA, the ease of acquiring drones has led to a proliferation of unmanned flights, some of which are authorized and some of which are not. When it comes to unauthorized flights, many well-meaning individuals and prospective operators don’t realize that, just because you can buy a drone doesn’t mean you can fly it anywhere, or for any purpose.
“There is a lot of excitement and enthusiasm around (drones), and the technology is becoming the must-have holiday gift,” said Michael Toscano, president and CEO of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International. “The ‘Know Before You Fly’ campaign fills a critical education gap just in time for the holiday season. We want to ensure that all prospective operators have the tools they need to fly safely and responsibly.”
Bob Brown, president of the Academy of Model Aeronautics, agreed.
“Our 175,000 members have been flying model aircraft for nearly 80 years,” Brown said. “Each one of us is intimately familiar with our safety code, which we take very seriously. Flying model aircraft is a fun and educational experience, and we want to share our expertise with people who are new to the technology.”
Bill Barbee is president of the Tri County RC Flyers, an Academy of Model Aeronautics chartered club that has been active in the model aviation hobby in Savannah for many years.
“We have our own AMA-approved field and promote responsible and safe remote-control aircraft operation,” he said, adding that the club welcomes new enthusiasts to come learn more about the popular hobby.
“We encourage people to take a look at our website — tricountyrcflyers.org — and get in touch,” Barbee said.
The need for safety
Not understanding the limitations on flying an unmanned aircraft can result in serious and dangerous situations, said Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport Executive Director Greg Kelly, adding that the airport has had at least one reported incident of a drone flying close to a passenger jet.
“Earlier this year, we had a commercial aircraft on approach to our airport report a small drone operating in close proximity to its flight path,” Kelly said. “This could have been disastrous if the drone had made contact with the aircraft, especially with one of its engines.”
Although the airport hasn’t had any recent incidents, Kelly and his staff remain vigilant.
“With the rapidly growing popularity of unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, among the general population, it’s important that we again remind all current and future drone operators to know and follow the current flight restrictions associated with them, especially around an airport,” he said.
“Lives depend on drone operators knowing and following these restrictions.”
Kelly isn’t alone in his concerns. There has been a significant increase recently in anecdotal reports of close calls between drones and passenger aircraft, rescue helicopters and other manned aircraft.
And with small drones now selling for as little as $20, aviation officials have predicted children and adults could receive more than 10,000 of the flying devices during the holiday season.
“There are rogue actors out there, and there are people who simply don’t know the existing rules and regulations,” said Michael Drobac, executive director of the Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Coalition, on a conference call with reporters about the initiative.
“So a campaign like ‘Know Before You Fly’ is crucial.”
The campaign includes a website, educational video, point-of-sale materials and a digital and social media campaign to ensure that prospective operators have the information and guidance on what they need to know before they fly a drone.
ON THE WEB
For more information, go to www.know
beforeyoufly.org.