ATTEMPTS to fly drones in civilian airspace are a
classic example of an irresistible force (innovation) meeting an
immovable object (the law). While commercial innovators have been
champing at the bit to deploy drones in all kinds of civilian roles,
aviation law has mostly prevented it.
Not
for much longer. Proposed changes in the US and Europe mean that
uncrewed aircraft of all shapes and sizes could go mainstream in the
next couple of years, surveying buildings, fertilising fields, sniffing
out pollution and more (see "Civilian drones to fill the skies after law shake-up").
It
won't be plain sailing. In the iron grip of the military, drones have
acquired a reputation as flying dealers of death. Civilians will have
to be won over to the new era of friendly drones. But that shouldn't be
too much of a stretch given that civilian craft will have more in
common with remote-controlled hobby aircraft than sinister military
machines.
It has been a long time coming. The first powered, fixed-wing aircraft ever to fly was an uncontrolled steam-powered drone built by American aviation pioneer Samuel Langley. That was in 1896. It's high time we got our drones back.
http://www.newscientist.com/
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