Upper house of Parliament joins the drone debate

Re: What's the difference...

When did "Government" actually know anything useful about "technology"?

Re: What's the difference...

I would imagine the difference is in their use.

Whereas generally a traditional amateur RC pilot would be using the device within line of sight, in an open area and without camera equipment on board, a "drone" pilot will often have camera recording equipment and can fly without LoS and possibly over an automated path. The use with recording equipment also means they are more likely to be used in built up areas or a third party's property and over other landmarks. It would appear that "Drones" are also generally more readily available and purchased by a wider demographic.

Using a "drone" in the same way that a traditional RC aircraft was used is unlikely to be any different and is probably safer, however the use case and use location for them is usually different.

Re: What's the difference...

Sorry, it's the uneducated, perhaps like yourself, which are causing the problems.

A remote control helicopter from 10 years ago, has an electronic gadget mounted in the tail called a gyro - it helps the thing stay stable.

A "drone" has an electronic brain which helps it stay stable. What's the difference?

There is very little that a drone can do today which I could not have done with a helicopter 10 years ago. The main thing is that these days a "drone" is available from the likes of Maplin where dumb people can spend their social grant and without thought, fly the thing and fly it dangerously.

10 years ago my Helicopter cost me your annual social grant, took me 2 weeks to build and I flew it very very carefully.

I do agree that the idiots need to be controlled (that is a function of governments since the Romans) however, like the common automobile, they are perfectly safe in the right hands.

Ban them? Sledge hammer approach....

Re: Why are we asking the EU?

Perhaps it's going via the EU as it's one of the harmonised areas of policy. A lot of product regulations come our way from the EU because of the Single Market (for example). Note that there's already been some discussion at the EU level, so the Parliamentary committees will study the issue and report to government, so that ministers and civil servants can take their opinion into account when deciding our position in EU level negotiations.

Government works slowly, and via various stages of consultation and discussion before progressing to legislation, or not. Once you add in the various extra layers in the EU process, that gets even longer, more complicated and involved.

Some of these modern drones are very large and powerful, and could pose a serious danger to other air-users, or people on the ground. Therefore government wouldn't be doing its job unless it looked at whether changes in legislation are needed. And that's happening seemingly at both national and EU level. The system (so far at least) is therefore doing what it's supposed to.

Re: Bah!

"Requiring proof of insurance and insisting on drones carrying the owner's name and contact information would be a good first step. That way, when Tommy Tw*tface flies his new toy through the windscreen of your new toy you can at least get the bugger paid for."

Why? Bicycles have no such constraints, and cause far more damage and nuisance than drones do. Privately flown drones are like CB radio - currently a flash in the pan whilst every fad-victim thinks they're the bees-knees, and idiot politicians look for any excuse to shit out a raft of unnecessary legislation, But give it a while and the fad victims will be into virtual reality, or bitcoin2, 3D printing, or whatever, and unmanned flight can be left to the small number of useful commercial uses and responsible hobbyists, and the dust will settle.

RC aircraft have been around for years without any meaningful level of problems. Let's not allow shit-head politicians to introduce another Red Flag Act in response to ill informed babble.

Re: 2050 You Say?

"This coming from the bunch who don't know what is going to happen on 8 May 2015"

And you do?

Re: The real question...

How does banning a certain size or capacity of drone stop someone intent on mass murder? Will they just shrug their shoulders and try something else in case they get caught breaking the law?