(by Massimiliano D'Elia) PRP Channel, in some analysis articles, had already noted the danger of the increase in the use of drones by private individuals and the probable danger of collision with airliners and non-airliners, in the vicinity of airports civilian and military. Thinking that "individuals" can simultaneously launch dozens of small drones in the direction of the engines of an aircraft during take-off or landing is not science fiction but a "dramatic" reality, since the technological contrast solutions are still in the embryonic phase. The danger described by the theory has become concrete since dozens of accidents, touched by chance, have occurred at some of the main world airports. It would not be difficult for terrorists to buy “drones” on the net with little money and cause unimaginable damage with a high propaganda effect. In this new scenario, airlines are giving an important impetus to try to establish strict rules and procedures for the use of drones near airports.
The world's airlines are, therefore, supporting the development of a UN-led global register for drones, as an increase in close collisions by unmanned aircraft and commercial jets feeds security problems, said a manager of the commercial group.
The International Air Transport Association supports efforts by the United Nations Aviation Agency to develop such a registry, which could also help track the number of accidents involving drones and jets, Rob Eagles said. Director of IATA Air Traffic Management Infrastructure.
IATA would consider working with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to use the registry for data analysis to improve safety.
ICAO is developing the register as part of a broader effort to develop common rules for the flight and monitoring of unmanned aircraft. Airlines and airport operators are trying to independently implement a drone registry, geo-fencing technology and tougher penalties for operating drones near airports. They hope these measures will ensure that flights remain safe.
In Britain, the number of interferences between drones and aircraft has more than tripled between the 2015 and the 2017, with 92 incidents recorded last year, according to Airprox's board of directors.
Air New Zealand said a flight from Tokyo with 278 passengers passed a drone just five meters from the Boeing 777-200 jet on its descent to Auckland last month.
A single register would create a one-stop shop that would allow law enforcement to remotely identify and track unmanned aircraft, along with their operator and owner.
"The current intention is to merge this activity into the ICAO register for manned aircraft, so that the industry has a single consolidated register network," ICAO spokesman Anthony Philbin said via email.
The manned aeronautical register is managed by Aviareto, a joint venture between the Swiss aerospace technology group SITA and the Irish government.
SITA CEO Barbara Dalibard said her company wanted to build a blockchain-based global drone registry and had worked with Geneva Airport to test a geo-restricted zone around the airport, where drones listed on the register they wouldn't be able to fly.
"The data is linked to the airport system," he said during an interview in Singapore on Tuesday.
“The drone is approaching the airport and says 'No, come back'. If everything is connected, you can ask the drone to change its flight plan or readjust to get out of the danger zone, ”he added.
"One of the important things that we would like to see on a log is also the collection of data that includes accident reports," Eagles said in an interview on the sidelines of IATA's Safety and Flight Ops Conference in Montreal.