It might sound like a science fiction film, but air drones are a reality in our lives in the present day. Up until two years ago, it was considered just a slip of tongue if you mentioned air drones.
At the moment, air drones are a reality and a number of the large companies in the world are using them for delivery of products to your doorstep.
An air drone in flight
Overview
A drone is an unmanned quadcopter – also called a quadrotor helicopter which is a multirotor helicopter that is lifted and propelled by four rotors – controlled remotely and at present, are used for the delivery process by large companies that are specialized in the field of online shopping and delivery of their products.
It is viewed as an elegant method of delivery, a technical solution for the problem of delivery which due to transportation problems had been bound by long delivery times and traffic jams. Needless to say, traffic jams make delivery a nightmare both to the buyer and to the seller.
Drones have solved this problem since they can move in a traffic-free space and so save time, avoid waiting times, and the cost of labor. Still, with a bit of planning and making more than one stop in a single run, it can be really economical and an ideal solution.
The problem at the moment, is that a drone only carries one parcel a time, which is definitely not wise economically.
A four rotor drone
Freedom
Freedom of flight of the drones is a two-bladed knife, freedom for the drone to fly in any airspace gives it the freedom it needs to achieve its goal. On the other hand, this freedom causes the drone to fly in spaces where they could interfere with sensitive travel paths and areas of internet coverage causing interference. This may threaten aviation safety as such, there is restricted airspace even for these small air drones, flight plan and defined areas where the drone could fly.
Tracking
A tracking system will also be activated to track these drones and warn them if they come in the vicinity of a restricted area. Airports have had to be shuttered due to illegal drone intrusion, the safety of passengers coming first, a system for tracking and governing these drones is in effect.
Legality
To make sure that all drones in our airspace are registered and legal, since they could also be used for illegal purposes, a set of rules and conditions have been put in action before a drone could be licensed and legalized to fly for a purpose. Safety rules have been initiated to govern the use of drones.
- They should be below 90m above the ground.
- For drones that weigh 250 g to 1 kg, they should be 30 m away from vehicles, vessels and the public.
- For drones that weigh 1 kg to 35 kg, they should be at least 75 m away from vehicles, vessels and the public.
- All drones irrespective of size should be 5 km away from aerodromes – airport, seaplane base, any area where aircraft take off or land.
- All air drones irrespective of size should be 1.8 km away from heliports.
- Fly your drone outside of controlled/restricted areas
- Fly your drone where its use might not interfere with first responders or the police.
- You can only use drones during the daytime and also not in clouds.
- A recreational drone should be within your sight at all times with a maximum of 500 m.
- A recreational drone should be clearly marked and named with the owner’s address.
- A registration is required as an aircraft.
- Failure to adhere to rules puts you at risk of severe fines.
- Make sure your drone is safe for flying before launching it.
- Privacy should be taken into consideration.
- Batteries should be checked for a full charge before flying.
- Make sure you have approved flight plans.
Summing up
Of course, rules covering commercial drones are much stricter than those that apply to recreational drones. The basics of permits that are allowed for flight are the same. And like everything else, we have ruled them with a thousand pieces of paper and there is a fear that the drone trend could come to an end just because of paperwork and rules and another fear that they will aid illegal trades.
Even though some of these air drones are as big as a large toy, still, they are governed by so many rules it is simply awesome. On the other hand, their flight in the vicinity of airdromes and restricted areas are real cause for alarm.
Like anything in our life, if air drones are used wisely and for a good purpose while following rules, they could be quite an innovation but used unwisely, rules not followed, or in the wrong hands, they could be a great disaster.
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