Lots of misleading information here. I have been involved in flying RC aircraft since the 80's. Only recently have built my first Quad-Copter. (some might call a drone). I don't fly anywhere near airports, or beyond visual range (FPV).
Sales of drones have increased rapidly, with UK sales running at a rate of between 1,000 and 2,000 every month.
Vast majority of these are the little 'radio shack' version for flying indoors, or in your back yard. Calling these "drones" is kind of silly.
They are expected to be very popular as Christmas presents.
They cost as little as £35 for a smaller model - more advanced drones capable of carrying a high definition camera and travelling at 45 miles per hour cost almost £3,000.
You can actually get a decent small Quad for $29 (usd) now, but you would be hard pressed to fly this more than 24ft away before you cannot see it. For $4,000, you could build a low tech FPV Quad or airframe, but you would have very limited range / flight time. And in the US, you need a liscense to broadcast the video signal.
Only a very small minority of people operating drones have attended training courses in how to fly them.
So what! I have not read anything saying that it was pilot competence that was causing the issue. Thats like saying we should all have ASE certification before we can build or drive our home built, or modded cars. It's apparently a lack of judgement, maturity, accountability etc.
Most of what this article is referring to has nothing to do with a "Drone" that could present any threat to aircraft flying at a safe altitude. 1,000x2,000 bubble vs the highest ground obstacle. Once again, this has nothing to do with airports. Flying ANY RC, experamental or RC aircraft near an airport is just stupid and should earn you a few nights in the pokey as well as a throrough 'interview' with homeland security.
I get the danger that some idiots are creating by flying near airports, and BVR. At some point, there will probably need to be some certification, requiring Transponders visible to the FAA to warn pilots when an ACTUAL Drone is in the area.
