The criminal act of endangering an aircraft is outlawed across the UK with penalties for offenders ranging from monetary fines to prison sentences of up to five years.
In light of recent high-profile incidents of drone incursions at Heathrow and Gatwick airports, this has led to greater pressure on aviation authorities to develop more robust strategies to counter the problem.
However, the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is not prepared to lead national efforts to prevent the unlawful misuse of drones and worst-case scenarios like unmanned vehicles or swarms attacking low flying commercial airplanes.
It is for ‘other agencies’ to command