The Civil Aviation Authority of the United Kingdom has appealed to drone enthusiasts across the country to be mindful of air ambulances as they fly drones. It must be noted that the island nation has over 400 thousand registered drones and probably a few unregistered ones. Owing to the craze surrounding drones these days, the recent festive season has seen an uptick in drone sales. The Civil Aviation Authority is rightly concerned for air ambulances in this scenario. The reason for this is straightforward. Air ambulances often fly at an altitude that is less than 120 meters – the permissible altitude for drone enthusiasts.
CAA Guide for Safety of Air Ambulances
- Keeping drones within the range of sight: It is easier to control the drone if one can see where exactly it is as one flies it. This will help the flyers steer clear of any air ambulances that they may encounter.
- Avoiding airfields and airports completely: Unless there is a compelling reason, flying drones near spaces where air ambulances land or take-off should be a strict no for obvious reasons. The chances of collision are simply too great.
- Adhering to the best practices of flying drones: One can know more about this by visiting the Civil Aviation Authority’s website and reading The Drone and Model Aircraft Code.
- Qualifying for flying drones: This is perhaps the most important one. It is essential that one registers with the CAA and clears the Flyer ID test.
Adherence is a Social Responsibility
According to a statistic by the Civil Aviation Authority of the United Kingdom, the air ambulances took to the skies over a thousand times in just the last month of 2021 with over 180 crew members each day. Over 80 people’s lives were saved through various operations. It is, therefore, the responsibility of common citizens to follow certain drone-flying best practices to keep air ambulances safe.
