It has not been confirmed which airliner operated the aircraft, nor exactly how narrow the distance between the objects concerned, but the aircraft involved has been identified as an Airbus A320 twin-engined airliner.
The A320's pilot visually noted a drone in the area just seconds before touchdown, with the aircraft at an altitude of 700 feet. This was at exactly 1416hrs on 22 July this year and, according to the CAA, the episode is 'A'-rated, meaning it involved a "serious risk of collision." Officials could not establish who was operating the drone, which did not show on ATC screens and was not present during any subsequent landings at London Heathrow that day.
Airport UAV Incidents
This was just one of a number of airport UAV incidents to have happened in the UK in recent months. Now, Balpa - the British Airline Pilots Association - has issued a warning covering the "real risk" posed to airliners by drones.
"The risk of a 10 kilogram object hitting a plane is a real one that pilots are very concerned about", Balpa general secretary Jim McAuslan explains in comments quoted by The BBC. "A small drone could be a risky distraction for a pilot coming into land and cause serious damage if they hit one."
McAuslan's words have particular resonance in the run up to Christmas 2014 - with expectations that, after being given as presents, many more drones will start being operated in UK skies.
Airport Drone Risk
Current legislation limits UK drone flights to a maximum altitude of 400 feet, at no more than 500 metres' range from the operator. 50 metre exclusion zones exist around structures, vehicles and people, while flights encroaching on airport approach paths are severely restricted.
"People using unmanned aircraft need to think, use common sense and take responsibility for them", said a CAA representative. "There are rules which have the force of law and have to be followed."
Fonte: Airport International - News
Foto: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/
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