Drone Hits British Airways Plane Heading to London

[Geee]

Free Beacon:

Last year, pilots reported 40 near-miss incidents in the United Kingdom, compared to nine in 2014.

 

The spike in unmanned drones flying in close proximity to manned aircraft is also up in the United States. The Federal Aviation Authority reported more than 650 unauthorized drone sightings during the first eight months of last year, up from 238 sightings during all of 2014.

 

“Frankly it was only a matter of time before we had a drone strike given the huge numbers being flown around by amateurs who don’t understand the risks and the rules,” Steve Landells, flight safety specialist for the British Airline Pilots Association told The Telegraph.

 

“It appears that no serious damage was done on this occasion, but what is clear is that while most drones are flown safely, sensibly and within the limits of the law, much more education of drone users and enforcement of the rules is needed to ensure our skies remain safe from this threat.”

 

The incident Sunday is believed to be the first of its kind in the U.K., according to a spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority.