Drones controversy hots up after plane hit near Heathrow

摘要

Government and industry have played down safety concerns and calls for more regulation after a drone struck an aircraft during its descent into Heathrow airport. According to the Metropolitan Police, the pilot on the flight from Geneva on 17 April reported that a drone had struck the front of the aircraft at an altitude of 1,700ft while over Richmond Park. The A320 landed safely and showed no signs of damage. Following this, French media reported that a drone had a near-miss with an Aer Lingus A320 near Paris Charles de Gaulle airport on 21 April. The incidents are the latest in a series which have led many to call for stricter regulation, including registration, of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).