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This is an interesting issue to me moving forward. Regardless of whether this was a "real" near miss or not, the fact of the matter is that drones/UAVs/whatever

This is an interesting issue to me moving forward. Regardless of whether this was a "real" near miss or not, the fact of the matter is that drones/UAVs/whatever-you-call-them are going to be a much more pervasive part out our reality in the near future. Should we be regulating their use? What should the legal framework be? Should you be required to have a license with proven flying hours, much like required to become a pilot? Should the CAA, FAA and other such bodies hold complete jurisdiction? Or should it fall under the purview of a dedicated organ? I think from a technology perspective this is going to be very interesting. I'm starting to work on proximity operations in space, specifically designing robust Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) systems to ensure safe and effective operations. I just got off the phone with a friend who's startup is in stealth mode at the moment, looking at developing GNC algorithms for UAVs that offer real-time, autonomous operations with collision avoidance etc. in the absence of GPS. Going to be fascinating to see how the technology in this space develops. EDIT: Fixed typos

keeperofdakeys 12y ago
There is already laws regarding RC planes, and if this article is to be believed, they were already broken for this UAV. The rules are much tighter within a few kilometres of airports, where maximum height is much lower to allow for planes on approach or taking off. It's just a pity that most operators are not aware of these laws, and may cause a larger amount of regulation for the area.
jschwartzi 12y ago
Insofar as the FAA has jurisdiction over civilian airspace, I think that UAVs which are operating within that airspace must be subject to the same rules and regulations as manned aircraft, or there will be an accident. Just because it's unmanned doesn't mean that the Pauli Exclusion Principle doesn't apply to it.
- xxxyy 12y ago
  Can confirm this with respect to Polish aviation law. Flying a drone, or just any other aircraft - manned or unmanned - in a controlled space without prior authorization is a criminal offense. There is no question about it. Heathrow CTR/TMA is obviously a controlled airspace. The law in the rest of the EU should be similar, as we are all governed by EASA.
neurotech1 12y ago
The problem is that current ADS-B transponders require "super accurate" GPS. If a Cellphone can have an accelerometer, reasonably accurate GPS and a baseband transceiver, why can't a UAV? All my research so far indicates the main issue is getting a GPS module that is certified accurate to use in a ADS-B transponder at low cost. For approx. $2,000 they are commercially available and within the SWaP(Size, Weight and Power) requirements for a DJI Phantom or similar. What the FAA would say about fitting a DJI Phantom with a transponder would be interesting. What would be intelligent would be fitting a ADS-B receiver to the UAV, and if an aircraft is detected within caution range (say 0.5 miles) the UAV pilot is alerted. What would be more intelligent is increased awareness about flying anything (Quadcopter, other UAV or even a kite) within range of an airport. The vast majority of traditional RC pilots are well aware of the 3 mile restriction around airports.

keeperofdakeys 12y ago

There is already laws regarding RC planes, and if this article is to be believed, they were already broken for this UAV. The rules are much tighter within a few kilometres of airports, where maximum height is much lower to allow for planes on approach or taking off. It's just a pity that most operators are not aware of these laws, and may cause a larger amount of regulation for the area.

jschwartzi 12y ago

Insofar as the FAA has jurisdiction over civilian airspace, I think that UAVs which are operating within that airspace must be subject to the same rules and regulations as manned aircraft, or there will be an accident. Just because it's unmanned doesn't mean that the Pauli Exclusion Principle doesn't apply to it.

xxxyy 12y ago
Can confirm this with respect to Polish aviation law. Flying a drone, or just any other aircraft - manned or unmanned - in a controlled space without prior authorization is a criminal offense. There is no question about it. Heathrow CTR/TMA is obviously a controlled airspace. The law in the rest of the EU should be similar, as we are all governed by EASA.

neurotech1 12y ago

The problem is that current ADS-B transponders require "super accurate" GPS. If a Cellphone can have an accelerometer, reasonably accurate GPS and a baseband transceiver, why can't a UAV? All my research so far indicates the main issue is getting a GPS module that is certified accurate to use in a ADS-B transponder at low cost. For approx. $2,000 they are commercially available and within the SWaP(Size, Weight and Power) requirements for a DJI Phantom or similar. What the FAA would say about fitting a DJI Phantom with a transponder would be interesting. What would be intelligent would be fitting a ADS-B receiver to the UAV, and if an aircraft is detected within caution range (say 0.5 miles) the UAV pilot is alerted. What would be more intelligent is increased awareness about flying anything (Quadcopter, other UAV or even a kite) within range of an airport. The vast majority of traditional RC pilots are well aware of the 3 mile restriction around airports.