AIR traffic control experts have issued guidelines for drones after a number of dangerous incidents at airports including Southampton and Heathrow.

The machines are increasingly being used for leisure and commercial purposes, and may even be utilised for delivering items in future.

Swanwick-based National Air Traffic Services says the practice is becoming more affordable and accessible and has offered advice to users.

It says all operators are classed as airspace users and are required to consider other aircraft, while poor practice can cause dangerous incidents.

It says:

  • Drones must not be flown at a height greater than 400 feet
  • They must not be flown within 50 metres of a person, vehicle, building or structure
  • They must not be flown further than 500 metres horizontally from the pilot
  • They must not be flown within 150 metres of a congested area, which includes streets, towns, cities and parks
  • They must not be flown commercially without permission
  • If these rules are broken it may lead to criminal prosecution

It was announced today that an investigation has been launched after a British Airways flight was struck by what is believed to be a drone as it came in to land at Heathrow Airport.

The pilot of flight BA727 from Geneva in Switzerland reported being hit as the Airbus A320 approached the west London hub on Sunday afternoon with 132 passengers and five crew on board.

As previously reported police issued a safety warning after a drone came close to a small private aircraft that was about three miles away from Southampton Airport on July 26 of last year.

Later that day the pilot of a Flybe jet coming in to land reported a drone two miles away to the airport as it was preparing to land.

For more information visit nats.aero.