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Here's how the international community stops drones from crashing into aircraft

As commercial and private drones become ever more prevalent, the risk of airplane strikes heightens accordingly.

shutterstock_421589491 Shutterstock / Dmitry Kalinovsky Shutterstock / Dmitry Kalinovsky / Dmitry Kalinovsky

AS DRONES INCREASINGLY crowd the skies, the risk of collision with other aircraft has come to the fore. Here’s an overview of international regulation aimed at limiting the dangers.

How many incidents?

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which sets global standards for the aviation industry, counted 856 cases worldwide between January 2013 and August 2015 of a drone getting too close to a plane for comfort.

“The analysis showed a significant increase in the monthly number of reported drone encounters,” Rob Eagles, IATA’s director for air traffic management and infrastructure, told AFP.

“Drones or unmanned vehicles provide endless innovative business opportunities,” he said.

However, we do have concerns about the potential safety and security risks that could result from the irresponsible use of drones in close vicinity of airports and aircraft.

There have been no collisions to date, according to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

“But we still have to take the risk of collision seriously,” EASA consultant Yves Morier told AFP.

Are there worldwide rules?

According to IATA, 65 countries currently have rules for the use of small drones.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is trying to establish a global framework for the future use of drones.

But for now, the body is simply helping out governments in countries where regulation is slow in coming.

What about Europe?

There is no Europe-wide legislation concerning drones. “All the countries have different approaches,” said EASA’s Morier. “Some are not very active, including some eastern European countries. Others are more pro-active, like Switzerland and France.”

However, for larger drones weighing more than 150 kilograms EASA has the power to legislate, according to French aviation authority DGAC.

Talks are ongoing within EU institutions to extend EASA’s drone regulatory powers by the summer of this year, which would allow it also to set rules for drones weighing less than 150 kilos.

Among EU countries, France is a pioneer. Government decrees already regulate drone use and parliament has voted in a law coming into force next year that will punish users of drones flying over airports and other sensitive areas with fines or prison.

Ireland?

Drone registration of all machines weighing in excess of 1kg here in Ireland is mandatory.

Restrictions are in place concerning where drones can and can not be flown here, with controlled airspaces such as airports a clear no no.

iaa Irish Aviation Authority Irish Aviation Authority

 

Click here to view a larger image

The regulation of drones here is covered predominantly by the Irish Aviation Authority’s Small Unmanned Aircraft (Drones) and Rockets Order 2015.

Privacy regarding Irish drones is dealt with in detailed regulations posted by the Irish Data Protection Commissioner.

And the US?

The United States has flagged new rules for commercial drones under 25 kg which will in future have to remain within sight of their operators at all times.

Drones will not be authorised to fly above an altitude of 122 metres (400 feet) or go faster than 161 kilometres per hour.

Night flights will be banned unless a drone is equipped with special lights.

Rules governing deliveries by drone have yet to be worked out.

The new American rules also do not deal with the impact of drones on privacy.

Additional reporting Cianan Brennan

© – AFP, 2017

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    Mute TOP CAT
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    Jul 27th 2014, 8:56 AM

    Can’t really see James Reilly going too quietly to Africa in the rear of a cargo plane…

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    Mute Glen
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    Jul 27th 2014, 10:10 AM

    A roll of duct tape and some tie wraps is just the medicine the good Dr needs.

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    Mute Joe Harbison
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    Jul 27th 2014, 9:00 AM

    There are fairly bizarre regulations as to the use and reuse of medical equipment which is far more about maximising manufacturers profits than protecting patients. A basic example is crutches. Hospitals no longer want them returned as they are only guaranteed by the manufacturer for a single patient use. Those that are returned are quickly checked over and collected for dispatch to the developing world.

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    Mute SeekingUniverslTruth
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    Jul 27th 2014, 9:03 AM

    i;ve noticed that too, also the dear old arm sling used to be no more than a bit of sheet, now hospitals have to spend money on the new improved versions that do the same thing,

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    Mute Martin O'Rourke
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    Jul 27th 2014, 8:59 AM

    Great to see this happen, free up dead space and assist others as well. I hope Cuba is also label to benifit. with the US imposed embargo I am sure they would also find the equipment helpful in their free training of doctors for third world countries.

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    Mute SeekingUniverslTruth
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    Jul 27th 2014, 9:04 AM

    Are you mad, do you think reilly would say to the yanks “btw we’re sending stuff to cuba”

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    Mute SeekingUniverslTruth
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    Jul 27th 2014, 8:58 AM

    Excellent,

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    Mute Oisín O'Connor
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    Jul 27th 2014, 9:36 AM

    I fully support helping countries such as Uganda and Zambia to improve their public health services.

    I’m interested to hear what gay rights campaigners who condemned Sochhi Winter Olympics have to say about this support of Uganda, a notoriously homophobic state. (I’m unaware of Zambia’s laws)

    I’m not saying we shouldn’t make donations to Uganda. But when we do, it’d be worthwhile putting some pressure on them about their human rights record.

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    Mute Barry McCormack
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    Jul 27th 2014, 9:37 AM

    I’m no economic genius but isn’t our Country broke? Don’t we currently borrow 2 billion a month. So giving our stuff away would seem to me as being the wrong option. The Africans are laughing at us, sound, dead on paddies.

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    Mute Vincent F
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    Jul 27th 2014, 9:43 AM

    I’d rather see medical equipment going to Uganda over cash. Least the equipment will help people whom need it. Assuming it’s not sold on black market.

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    Mute Bobby
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    Jul 27th 2014, 9:47 AM

    Ireland borrows €600 million a month to keep going. The majority of western countries borrow each month to keep the country running.

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    Mute Ablitive
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    Jul 27th 2014, 11:41 AM

    How about sending this equipment out to Gaza? They could do with this after all the hospital equipment that hss been destroyed by Israel shelling.

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    Mute Bobby
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    Jul 27th 2014, 11:49 AM

    Israel says no. They wont let paracetamol in never mind medical equipment.

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    Mute Dr Udegbe
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    Jul 27th 2014, 9:14 AM

    Hope these equipment don’t cost these poor countries a fortune to maintain in the immediate term.
    Think of the disposal !!

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    Mute Barry McCormack
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    Jul 27th 2014, 10:04 AM

    It’s been widely reported that the hse down through the years has been paying over inflated prices for medical supplies that we borrowed cash, at over inflated rate. Now the same organisation has probably gone and done the same with new equipment but the old equipment, that actually still functions and is given away. But as long as we viewed as the Florence Nightingale of Europe that’s all that matters, we deserve to be broke!

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    Mute Mary Kavanagh
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    Jul 27th 2014, 10:31 AM

    I agree with the first part of your comment, Barry. The mark up for medical equipment is eye watering. However, if the equipment is not going to be used here why not send it where it will be used?

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    Mute Bobby
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    Jul 27th 2014, 10:43 AM

    Ireland pays over the odds for all things medical. Up to 70% more than the UK. Maybe a deal done with the government and pharmaceutical companies if they locate in Ireland.

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    Mute William Nunan
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    Jul 27th 2014, 9:21 AM

    They learned from the e voting machines.
    Will they also be sending out the equipment from the closed wards in their cost cutting exercises?

    For export, nurses, doctors, hospital equipment !!
    I have a premonition that hospital services will be outsourced to Africa, Ryanair will get us there. Ambulance service rationalized as well

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    Mute Barry McCormack
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    Jul 27th 2014, 10:50 AM

    Look if we had economy of let’s say Norway I’d to be all over this noble cause. But let’s no kid ourselves,we are painting over the cracks, borrowing money to pay debt. Sorry my thinking doesn’t fit liberal agenda but look at medical card debacle, home help cut, elderly dieing alone etc. So I cant subscribe to the good will without being practical and inward looking.

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    Mute Bobby
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    Jul 27th 2014, 10:59 AM

    Maybe if you didn’t hand over your only natural resource to the EU (fishing grounds) you would have an economy a bit more like Norway.

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    Mute Mary Ryan
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    Jul 27th 2014, 10:59 AM

    Read the article! This is equipment that is no longer being used. Rather than cluttering the basement level corridors outside supplies in the hospital or just being trashed, it gets sent to somewhere it can be of benefit. What’s wrong with that? Equipment is sidelined for a variety of reasons so why not let it help someone else?

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    Mute Barry McCormack
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    Jul 27th 2014, 11:41 AM

    Bobby from bobby. The biggest sell off or give away has been our oil and gas to shell British and statoil Norwegian. But sure we are sound like that!!!!

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    Mute Bobby
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    Jul 27th 2014, 11:47 AM

    What would you like me to be? :) to date, Ireland has handed over €600 billion to the EU from it’s waters since the 70s. No oil or gas production from Ireland just yet.

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    Mute Barry McCormack
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    Jul 27th 2014, 9:54 AM

    The hashtags down the bottom should include #eejits #economics101

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    Mute Bill
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    Jul 27th 2014, 9:47 AM

    Why was this not done until now

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    Mute Jed I. Knight
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    Jul 27th 2014, 7:24 PM

    It is done on a regular basis, but a few people within the HSE have got together to organise it. Rather than individual hospitals sending old equipment out to different countries it’s all gathered in one place and all sent to the same countries. You be the judge.

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    Mute Barry McCormack
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    Jul 27th 2014, 12:46 PM

    The Rhcp unwittingly penned our national mantra ‘Give It Away’

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    Mute Barry McCormack
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    Jul 27th 2014, 11:20 AM

    Agreed bobby but if we Irish then who are you?

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    Mute Bobby
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    Jul 27th 2014, 11:25 AM

    Bobby

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    Mute Barry McCormack
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    Jul 27th 2014, 11:58 AM

    €600 billion in fish!!! I’m out.

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    Mute Bobby
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    Jul 27th 2014, 12:10 PM

    I know crazy amount but true.

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    Mute Bobby
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    Jul 27th 2014, 12:21 PM

    Interesting read, backed up by official European Union statistics. After Germany, Ireland is the second largest indirect contributer to EU coffers. Not only did Ireland get a raw deal on the bank bailout, but the EU has robbed you since joining in the 70s. Time to take back!!

    http://www.sceala.com/phpBB2/irish-forums-25255.html

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    Mute Paddy Jaye
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    Apr 10th 2017, 12:43 AM

    HI WE HAVE AN SUPPLIER WHO NEEDS USED MEDICAL EQUIPMENT THE REFURBISH IT AND EXPORT IT TO INDIA OR AFRICA IF ANY INTEREST email pesgreen@eircom.net Please regards Patrick.

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