The pilots’ organization BALPA has issued a reminder for those hoping to unwrap a drone this Christmas, warning that the toys can be fatal for those driving a plane or flying.
News
BALPA issues word of warning for santa’s drones
In 2018 new laws came into force that limit drones to 400ft and prevent them from flying within 1km of an airport boundary.
British Association of Airline Pilots (BALPA) says that people who buy or use drones need to be familiar with the laws or they could face a fine with up to five years in prison.
Head of flight safety at BALPA, Dr Rob Hunter said: “Even two kilograms of metal and plastic, including the battery, hitting an aircraft windscreen or engine or a helicopter tail rotor, could be catastrophic.
“People who buy these devices need to make sure that they know the rules and stick to them, so they don’t put anyone’s life in danger.”
More than 100,000 passengers were affected by disruption from a drone at Gatwick airport on Friday 21 December, which caused more than 750 flights to be cancelled.
Police have been hunting the drone operator after drones were seen over the runway.
NEWS

Female doctors given masks made for men, says BMA
By Belinda Liversedge on 14 January 2021
The British Medical Association says it has received sustained reports from female doctors ‘struggling to find respirator masks that pass fit testing’, compromising their safety from coronavirus.

Employers must redo risk assessments to fight new Covid strain, says TUC
By Belinda Liversedge on 14 January 2021
Workplace safety rules written following the first outbreak in March 2020 are out of date and ill equipped to protect workers from the more infectious strain of Coronavirus, the TUC has warned.

Employees feel more disengaged during Pandemic, Aviva study finds
By Belinda Liversedge on 11 January 2021
Employees are becoming not just physically remote but increasingly emotionally remote too, according to a new report.