AUVSI Statement on Drone Sightings at Gatwick Airport

 

For Immediate Release: Dec. 21, 2018

Contact: Tom McMahon, tmcmahon@auvsi.org, (571) 255-7786

AUVSI Statement on Drone Sightings at Gatwick Airport

ARLINGTON, Va. Brian Wynne, President and CEO of the Association for Unmanned Vehicles International (AUVSI) today released the following statement regarding ongoing sightings of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) near the runway of Gatwick Airport in the United Kingdom:

“Any UAS operator who abuses the technology, or uses it in a careless and reckless manner, should be held accountable. This incident underscores the need to implement remote identification standards in the United States, which will enhance the safety and security of the airspace by enabling the FAA to identify and track UAS owners and operators in real time, mitigating the safety threat and avoiding the prolonged closure of a major airport. We urge the FAA to swiftly proceed with rulemaking that will permit the deployment of remote identification and tracking technologies in the U.S. to keep the skies safe for all aircraft – both manned and unmanned.”

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About AUVSI

The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) — the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of unmanned systems and robotics — represents corporations and professionals from more than 60 countries involved in industry, government and academia. AUVSI members work in the defense, civil and commercial markets. For more information, visit AUVSI.org.