Drone flying offers many opportunities, but also harbours risks. Drone pilots should carefully evaluate these risks and take appropriate measures to minimise them. This includes maintenance & compliance with regulations.
In principle, the EU Drone Regulation (2019/947 and 2020/746) has applied to the flying of drones since 1 January 2021. This regulates air traffic with drones of all weight and risk classes. As unmanned aerial vehicles enter airspace, you must comply with regulations and laws. However, if you familiarise yourself with the local conditions and control the drone safely, then flying is generally a very safe affair. As technology continues to develop, many models can now fly back to the starting point independently in an emergency and prevent accidents thanks to built-in collision sensors. However, this requires conscientious handling of the drone itself, the local flight regulations and the flight conditions (e.g. flight altitude, flight distance and weather).
Risk of accidents
The risk of accidents is an obvious risk when flying drones. Uncontrolled flight manoeuvres, collisions with obstacles or human error can lead to damage to the drone and damage to property. In some cases, people can also be injured. Drone pilots should therefore ensure that they comply with the applicable regulations and only perform controlled flight manoeuvres.
Data protection and privacy
The use of drones can raise data protection and privacy issues. Capturing images or data from the air can unintentionally capture private areas or people. Drone pilots must ensure that they comply with all relevant data protection laws and regulations and the privacy of others.
Technical problems
Drones are complex technical devices that can also malfunction in rare cases. Hardware or software failures, GPS problems or battery problems can lead to a loss of control over the drone. Regular maintenance and inspections are crucial to eliminate technical problems as far as possible
Weather conditions
Weather conditions such as strong wind, rain or fog can significantly affect the drone's flight behaviour. Drone pilots must ensure that they carefully monitor weather conditions and plan flight operations accordingly. In some cases, it may be necessary to postpone or cancel flights due to unfavourable weather conditions.
Regulations and authorisations
The countries of the European Union (including Switzerland) have introduced regulations and authorisation procedures for commercial drone flights. Drone pilots must ensure that they obtain all necessary authorisations and comply with the applicable regulations. Violations of these regulations can lead to legal consequences.
Insurance
Appropriate insurance is essential to cover the risks associated with commercial drone flights. This includes cover for damage to the drone itself, liability insurance for damage to third parties and possibly also insurance for data breaches or accidents.
Training and qualification
Adequate training and qualification of drone pilots is crucial to minimise the risks. Drone pilots should ensure that they have the necessary knowledge and skills to fly safely and responsibly. Airteam offers training courses for drone pilots. Further information can be found on the website: https://airteam.ai/pricing#drone-package
Conclusion
Flying drones offers many opportunities, but also harbours risks. Drone pilots should carefully evaluate these risks and take appropriate measures to minimise them. This includes training, technology, maintenance, compliance with regulations and taking out appropriate insurance. With the right approach, drone pilots can reap the benefits of drone flight while ensuring the safety and integrity of their operations.