Shropshire Star

RAF Shawbury warning over drone gifts

They are used to take spectacular images and are among one of the "must have" presents this Christmas.

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But drones remain one of the biggest threats to aircraft in the armed forces, an RAF safety officer warned today.

With drones becoming more affordable and more people using them, Squadron Leader Gary James, station flight safety officer at RAF Shawbury, said the risk to aircraft only increases.

There have been at least six reports of drones causing a potential risk to aircraft associated with the airbase this year, including in places such as Telford and Nesscliffe.

Sqn Ldr James said he is not against the ideas of drones, but stressed the need to use them safely. He urged people who were given a drone as a present yesterday to think hard before deciding where to operate it.

"The biggest danger to aviation remains a mid-air collision between aircraft including remotely operated drones," he said. "It is seen as one of the biggest threats to the aviation assets of all three armed services.

"With the rapid decrease in prices of drones there are expected to be tens of thousands sold this Christmas alone which increases the likelihood of a collision.

"It is widely understood and encouraged that the vast majority of drone operators are using them for fun and adhere to the guidelines issued by the Civil Aviation Authority, which has recently started a new campaign called Dronesafe. The website dronesafe.uk contains a link to the Drone Code which gives the best advice.

"The real danger comes when drone operators push their skill and limits or decide to operate their drones where aircraft operate.

"Shropshire has numerous RAF airfields as well as civilian ones. It is extremely unwise to fly a drone near these locations.

"I believe, as the station flight safety officer, that an incident is only a matter of time and will not be caused by malice but rather an ignorance of the drone operator's surroundings and responsibilities."

Another danger to aircraft at RAF Shawbury is the deliberate illumination by either a very powerful torch or with a laser pen.

Earlier this month a laser pen is believed to have been shone at a Squirrel helicopter from RAF Shawbury as it flew near the A53 near to Astley between Battlefield and Shawbury.

"The deliberate act of endangering an aircraft using a high power torch or a laser pen is not only illegal under the Air Navigation Order, it is extremely reckless," Sqn Ldr James.

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