Commercial and Recreational Drone use in the UK – Government Launch inquiry.

Drones have had a range of positive impacts across a variety of industries, from commercial photography and aerial surveying, through to crop spraying and parcel delivery. However, following increased recreational popularity, there have been several suspected drone incidents, including dozens of ‘near misses’ between drones and aircrafts.

Following two previous consultations on drone safety and security and incursions at Gatwick and Heathrow airports the Government is planning to bring forward a ‘Drones Bill’ in 2019.

How to respond?

The Committee is seeking written submissions on:

• The ethical implications of civilian drones on citizen privacy and safety in the UK;
• The effectiveness of built-in drone safety features, such as tracking and monitoring capabilities, in mitigating the risks of civilian drones;
• The effectiveness of anti-drone technology in mitigating the risks of civilian drones;
• The economic opportunities arising from the growth of drone technology;
• The success, or otherwise, of regulatory frameworks for civilian drones and what should be covered in the forthcoming ‘Drones Bill’;
• The plans for registration of civilian drones in the UK;
• The current state of drone safety education and research in the UK; and
• International comparators with exemplary drone-interference prevention policies.

All responses need to be sent to the public inquiry via the on-line portal which can be found HERE.

The deadline for written submissions is 12 April 2019.