The dizzying rise in the number of drones in circulation is staggering. In Spain, according to data from the State Aviation Safety Agency (AESA), almost 3,000 operators of these aircraft have started their activity in the last three years, reaching a total of more than 3,600 registered pilots together with more than 4,000 aircraft. The rhythm is such that the institutions have not been able to maintain it when it comes to legislating. However, little by little they are catching up, as shown by the new legislation approved by the European Parliament in this regard a few days ago.
The highest European body approved by an absolute majority, 558 votes in favor, 71 against and 48 abstentions, the update of the community regulations on aviation safety, within which is the use of drones, creating specific provisions to guarantee privacy and the safe use of the same at the same time that they promote the rise of the sector, which, as we have commented, is incessant in countries like ours.
New regulations on air safety
To date, drones weighing less than 150 kilos were governed by the legislation of each member country of the European Union, but this will change as soon as the new community legal framework comes into force, since precisely one of the objectives is to unify said framework so that their diversity stops harming the sector. However, the new legislation will not yet enter into force because it must first pass the filter of the Council of Ministers, which once approved will give the green light for it to be published in the BOE. In addition, there are details of the rules that are yet to be developed, although there are some clear lines marked out in what was approved by the European Parliament.
For example, the new regulations establish that the design of aircraft must ensure that when used they do not pose a risk to people, and they will have to include devices to avoid collisions or land automatically depending on the weight and the area of ​​operation. A lot of emphasis has been placed on the risks because there is concern about cases of incidents involving natural persons and even airspace, a very delicate aspect of European and global security. In fact, the new law aims to promote cooperation between the European Aviation Safety Agency and national authorities, especially when it comes to assessing the risks of flights in conflict zones.
Traffic of unmanned devices, increasing
Another important detail that is going to be legislated is the registration of the drones so that they are perfectly identifiable in cases of incidents that generate the responsibility of the drone and therefore of its pilot. To do this, the new legislation requires that they carry a registration code and that the name of the operators be included in the national registers, with the exception of the smallest devices.
Finally, although they are not specific details for the drone sector in particular, the European Parliament has taken the opportunity to review and evolve general rules on air safety, so that it adapts to the increasing existence of traffic of unmanned devices.
In short, this update of the European legislation regarding aviation safety was a necessity that the drone sector required due to its growth. This is good news for the sector and for all those people who have either already been trained in it or were considering it. It must not be forgotten that drones are allowing professions as varied as journalism, logistics or even agriculture to evolve, so it is very likely that your professional profile is ideal to expand it with training in this booming sector.
