The use of drones in Malta is going to be regulated for the first time, after the authorities published a draft notice to address issues surrounding their growing popularity.
“We cannot have an area of our airspace that is not regulated,” said Captain Charles Pace, a Transport Malta board member.
“Our aim is not to curtail anyone from exercising a hobby, but there are issues of privacy, safety and security that all need to be addressed.”
The notice, which opens for public consultation tomorrow, applies to all remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) below 150kg, excluding those classified as “toys” under EU regulations. Commercial use of drones is limited under the proposed law to designated areas and particular flight levels, considering “the proximity of any aerodrome, flight paths of aircraft and any other possible dangers to aviation, persons or property”.
Transport Malta is concerned about the dangers of drones colliding with commercial aircraft. Photo: Reuters
Capt. Pace added that the final application of the law might instead create designated “no-fly zones”, such as around monuments, public gatherings and strategic locations.
Drones have grown explosively in popularity among both hobbyists and commercial operators. There are currently more than 1,700 different types of drones.
In Malta, the police force has used drones for a number of years to monitor environmental crimes, and local photography and videography companies offer drone services for everything from concerts and football matches to weddings.
Incidents, however, have also been increasing worldwide. Just yesterday, three al-Jazeera journalists were arrested in Paris on suspicion of illegally flying a drone over key Paris landmarks.
Last December, a drone nearly collided with a jet at Heathrow airport, while Dubai airport was closed for an hour last month after drones were flown into the flight path of commercial planes.
Capt. Pace said that, in light of the huge danger posed by a collision, the aim was to make the use of RPAs as safe as any other aircraft.
The legal notice also provides for registration and airworthiness tests, and could eventually provide for mandatory training for operators.