Across North America this week, drones have once again been receiving much media attention. Just yesterday, a Canadian flight carrying 54 passengers and four crewmembers detected what they thought was an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) at 9,000 feet and had to take action to avoid collision, resulting in two minor injuries. After news of the event broke, Canadian media reached out to ALPA for the pilot perspective on the dangers associated with the reckless operation of UAS.
Meanwhile in the United States, thousands of participants from across the world are gathering in the heart of Silicon Valley this week to discuss various commercial aspects of unmanned aircraft systems at the Drone World Expo.
As manufacturers of these recreational devices prepare for another record-breaking holiday season, it’s important for those who are operating these machines to review the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) and Transport Canada’s regulations and safety information.
ALPA has long recognized the value that commercial UAS operations can add to the North American economy and has worked to ensure that those who operate UAS do so responsibly. This year, that leadership was recognized when ALPA president Capt. Tim Canoll was selected to serve on the FAA’s Drone Advisory Committee to work with other aviation stakeholders in ensuring the safe integration of UAS into the world’s busiest and most complicated airspace system.
While much progress has been made concerning drone safety, there is still more work that needs to be done, and ALPA will continue those efforts in order to advance the unparalleled safety record of North American aviation.