Reckless Drone Flight in Las Vegas Raises Concerns

A dramatic video bouncing across the web reveals an FPV pilot flying instantly above a touchdown passenger airplane heading into land at McCarran Airport in Las Vegas. The footage has been broadly shared and condemned by the group.

In this business, it doesn’t take a lot to kick off a recent batch of destructive headlines. Calls for stricter rules on drone pilots are by no means too distant. We’ve seen as a lot with the reactions to the numerous ‘near misses’ and suspected collisions in current months.

Read extra: Collisions: How to Break the Cycle of Conjecture, Fear & Drone Negativity

We additionally know drone doesn’t even need to be concerned (it might simply be a bat or a plastic bag) to trigger blanket destructive protection for a couple of media cycles.

With these issues in thoughts, all we are able to do is condemn the reckless pilot chargeable for the video under, who will hopefully be recognized and fined, on the very least. We perceive that the FAA is trying into the next footage…

It’s unimaginable to defend this video. There is subsequent to no likelihood the pilot was trying something aside from to report a dramatic shot of a passenger airplane from above. You don’t take-off underneath a busy flight path by chance. Just as worrying is what number of makes an attempt it took, and what number of different manned plane have been put in danger, earlier than this video was taken.

This received’t be the final reckless video we see

The unhappy truth is that incursions like this are prone to proceed until authorities are seen to take motion. And even then, the promise of notoriety (even of the nameless selection) would possibly nonetheless make the chance price it for a small variety of stunt pilots.

Ultimately we’ve got responsible the individuals accountable, not the expertise. And discover methods to mitigate the dangers posed by this small minority.

In a press release posted alongside the video, pilot coaching supplier and common drone group platform Drone U stated:

Drone U Leadership and your complete membership group need to be a part of with different business leaders to totally CONDEMN this reckless and felony act. Drone U and it’s members work tirelessly in making our skies secure for all customers of the National Airspace System. This pilot’s actions not solely endangered the flying public, however has the potential to discredit a whole sUAS business.

It is the opinion of Drone U and it’s members that the pilot obtain swift and simply punishment for this instance of irresponsible and reckless flight. There is not any excuse for this sort of felony habits.

You can learn the AMA’s response right here.