Dos, don'ts and geo-fencing: Europe proposes rules for small drones
05/05/2017 15:00
BERLIN, May 5 (Reuters) - Europe's aviation safety
authorities have proposed rules for operating small drones that
include requirements for geo-fencing technology to prevent them
from straying into banned areas and a "dos and don'ts" leaflet
to be inserted in retail packaging.
With demand booming, both for hobby and commercial use,
European regulators have been looking for ways to ensure drones
can be safely operated, while allowing the industry to grow.
Fears have been raised over the use of drones near airports
in particular, with a number of pilots reporting near collisions
with drones, and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has
set up a task force to look into the risk of drone strikes.
EASA's proposals include requirements for drones to be
remotely identifiable, to be fitted with geo-fencing technology
to prevent them from entering prohibited zones such as airports
and nuclear sites, and a requirement for people operating drones
weighing more than 250 grammes to register themselves.
EASA hopes such measures will address privacy concerns, as
well as safety risks.
The design requirements for small drones will be implemented
using the CE product legislation commonly used across Europe.
Along with the CE marking, drones will be identified
according to their class, and a "dos and don'ts" leaflet will be
in all product boxes.
"Based on the drone class, an operator will know in which
area he can operate and what competence is required," EASA said
in a statement.
The proposal is now open for comment from May 12 until Aug.
12 and EASA will submit its final opinion to the European
Commission at the end of 2017.
The regulation of drones weighing less than 150 kg is
currently up to individual EU member states, resulting in a
fragmented regulatory framework.
Makers of commercial drones include China's DJI and France's
Parrot PARRO.PA .
(Reporting by Victoria Bryan; Editing by Mark Potter)
((victoria.bryan@thomsonreuters.com; +49 30 2888 5169; Reuters
Messaging: victoria.bryan.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net
Twitter:@vl_bryan))
Keywords: EUROPE DRONES/