Latest news with #AirNavigationOrder
Belfast Telegraph
20-05-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
PSNI reminds public of drone legislation after Coastguard helicopter ‘put in danger' during rescue
In a statement, the PSNI's Detective Superintendent Sean Fitzpatrick, from the police's Air Support Unit, said the helicopter had successfully aided in rescuing a person from the Mourne Mountains, when a drone was spotted flying close to the aircraft. A drone is the common name used for Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). These small aircraft can be flown remotely by various types of controls, or autonomously using computer software. Aircrafts are grounded when a drone is sighted near them, typically due to safety concerns such as a drone coming in contact with the aircraft which could cause damage to it. In 2018, a well-publicised incident at Gatwick Airport required a full shutdown after a drone was spotted near the airport. 'With drones becoming ever more popular I would ask all users to familiarise themselves with legislation and regulations. Comprehensive guidance is available on our website, and is in line with the Air Navigation Order and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulation,' said Detective Superintendent Fitzpatrick. 'Following a recent incident in the Mourne Mountains, when a Maritime and Coastguard Agency Rescue helicopter was put in danger from a drone, I am asking drone users to adhere to the regulations in place to fly drones safely. 'The helicopter had successfully extracted an injured casualty from the mountains and brought them to safety where they were transferred to an ambulance and, as the helicopter prepared to lift off, a drone was spotted being flown in close proximity, putting all on board in serious danger. "Police officers made their way to the site where the drone had been seen but the operator had left the area. 'The legislation exists to ensure safety, and essentially drones should not pose any risk, either to aircrafts or people. 'Accordingly, drones must not be flown near any airport, flight path or aircraft, and must not be flown near or over the public. They must also not be flown in any manner that could hamper emergency services when they are responding to an emergency incident.' According to the PSNI, from October 2019 registration has been required by any person who controls or flies a drone outdoors. On 31st December 2020 there were updates in the Air Navigation Order 2016, which included updates for age restrictions and registration of drone operators (owners) and drone pilots. If your drone has a camera (unless it is a toy) then you need to register as an operator with the Civil Aviation Authority. You need to renew this registration every year and display the registration number on any drone you own.
Sunday World
11-05-2025
- Sunday World
Cops condemn potentially ‘catastrophic' near-miss between drone and rescue helicopter
The incident unfolded during an operation in the Mournes at the weekend Scene of the Mourne rescue mission on 10.05.2025. Credit: Police Newry, Mourne & Down The PSNI have condemned the pilot of a drone that almost had a 'catastrophic' impact on a rescue mission. The incident unfolded during an operation in the Mournes at the weekend. Police said it was 'absolute madness' and the person responsible for the drone may now face prosecution. On Saturday evening, the South Down neighbourhood policing team were assisting Newcastle Coastguard to secure the landing site for a Maritime and Coastguard Agency Rescue Helicopter from Prestwick. The agencies were working with the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team (MMRT) to extract a casualty from the area of Lower Cove – which contains some of the steepest cliffs in the Mournes. A PSNI spokesperson said: 'With the casualty safely in the back of a Northern Ireland Ambulance Service ambulance, the helicopter crew began to prepare for take off to return to Prestwick [in Scotland]. 'As the helicopter made their preparations to take off – bearing in mind the engines never stopped whilst the casualty was removed from it, and it's a big noisy, well lit machine – one of the police officers in attendance noted a drone operating in very close proximity to the helicopter. "They immediately informed a member of Coastguard and members of the MMRT who in turn informed the crew on board. "At the same time officers made their way to the area of the park the drone was spotted in to try and identify its whereabouts and the person that was operating it. "Despite this quick action the drone appeared to have left the area, but people in the park approached the police attempting to point out where the drone had been. 'In short, this is absolute madness. Had that drone impacted with the helicopter at any time, the result would have been catastrophic. 'Drones are not toys. 'This behaviour was in clear breach of the Air Navigation Order and may result in a criminal prosecution.' Drones are small aircrafts that can be remotely controlled. They are used for a wide variety of purposes – most commonly for recreational purposes, they are used for aerial photography and videography Jill Truesdale, an Alliance Party councillor for the Mournes area, described the actions of the drone operator as 'beyond stupid'. "Hopefully they will be caught and reminded of the laws around these things,' she added. "This type of multi-agency incident is not an 'Instagrammable' moment." Ms Truesdale also indicated a need to 'look into legislation' regarding the ownership and operation of drones here, 'given our unique geographical makeup between sea and mountains'. Scene of the Mourne rescue mission on 10.05.2025. Credit: Police Newry, Mourne & Down News in 90 seconds - 11th May 2025
Belfast Telegraph
11-05-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
‘Absolute madness': PSNI condemns potentially ‘catastrophic' near-miss between drone and rescue helicopter
The incident unfolded during an operation in the Mournes at the weekend. Police said it was 'absolute madness' and the person responsible for the drone may now face prosecution. On Saturday evening, the South Down neighbourhood policing team were assisting Newcastle Coastguard to secure the landing site for a Maritime and Coastguard Agency Rescue Helicopter from Prestwick. The agencies were working with the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team (MMRT) to extract a casualty from the area of Lower Cove – which contains some of the steepest cliffs in the Mournes. A PSNI spokesperson said: 'With the casualty safely in the back of a Northern Ireland Ambulance Service ambulance, the helicopter crew began to prepare for take off to return to Prestwick [in Scotland]. 'As the helicopter made their preparations to take off – bearing in mind the engines never stopped whilst the casualty was removed from it, and it's a big noisy, well lit machine – one of the police officers in attendance noted a drone operating in very close proximity to the helicopter. "They immediately informed a member of Coastguard and members of the MMRT who in turn informed the crew on board. "At the same time officers made their way to the area of the park the drone was spotted in to try and identify its whereabouts and the person that was operating it. "Despite this quick action the drone appeared to have left the area, but people in the park approached the police attempting to point out where the drone had been. 'In short, this is absolute madness. Had that drone impacted with the helicopter at any time, the result would have been catastrophic. 'Drones are not toys. 'This behaviour was in clear breach of the Air Navigation Order and may result in a criminal prosecution.' Drones are small aircrafts that can be remotely controlled. They are used for a wide variety of purposes – most commonly for recreational purposes, they are used for aerial photography and videography Jill Truesdale, an Alliance Party councillor for the Mournes area, described the actions of the drone operator as 'beyond stupid'. "Hopefully they will be caught and reminded of the laws around these things,' she added. "This type of multi-agency incident is not an 'Instagrammable' moment." Ms Truesdale also indicated a need to 'look into legislation' regarding the ownership and operation of drones here, 'given our unique geographical makeup between sea and mountains'.
BBC News
01-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Doncaster Sheffield Airport: Safety warning over drone activity
People operating drones without permission around Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) have been warned to "avoid the area with immediate effect" due to safety Yorkshire Police said it had received multiple reports of unauthorised drones flying over the area since the first aircraft returned in Tim Croson said: "This is extremely dangerous as pilots of manned aircraft must have safe access to take off, land and taxi around the aerodrome."The airspace above the airport is classified as non-controlled, but is still subject to the Air Navigation Order and Civil Aviation Authority rules. The force advised that drone operators check local airspace restrictions, obtain any necessary authorisations, and follow both the relevant sets of airport closed in November 2022 after Peel, the owner of the airport and the land, deemed it was not financially early December, a plane landed at DSA for the first time since its company 2Excel was given permission by Doncaster Council to bring one of its aircraft back to the site as part of a winter maintenance council plans to reopen the site by spring 2026, with Munich Airport International (MAI) providing management services to FlyDoncaster, a company set up by Doncaster Council, to run to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Planners back solar farm near airport
Plans to fit solar panels to a building close to an airport have been agreed after it was concluded there would be no risk to pilots flying overhead. A scheme to install 300 solar panels to the roof of a building at Aviation Point near Blackpool Airport has been given the go-ahead by Blackpool Council. Concerns were raised by the nearby airport about possible glare from the panels on on Amy Johnson Way impacting pilots operating in the area. However, a glint and glare assessment has shown there would be no impact and the airport did not object to the application. If glare from the solar panels became a problem in the future, action could still be taken to resolve it, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. A council report setting out the decision said a glint and glare assessment had been provided and confirmed as acceptable by Blackpool Airport. The airport suggested a condition requiring the operator of the solar panels to stop their usage if glare becomes an issue, it said, but added this was covered under the Air Navigation Order. "As such, it is not considered necessary to repeat this in a planning condition," it said. "Overall and on balance, it is considered that prior approval can be granted in relation to external appearance, particularly impact from glare." Meanwhile, plans were submitted last year for a solar farm on land south of Blackpool Airport's main runway, to generate its own renewable electricity. Documents were submitted in August to Fylde Council for the scheme which means one of the airport's two runways, which is much less used for flights would be lost. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer. Solar farm planned for Blackpool Airport Fylde Council
