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Boeing 737 Passenger Jet Damaged in Possible Midair Drone Hit (bloomberg.com)
Grupo Aeromexico SAB is investigating whether a drone slammed into a Boeing Co. 737 jetliner as the aircraft approached its destination in Tijuana, Mexico, on the U.S. border. From a report: Images on local media showed considerable damage to the nose of the 737-800, which was operating Wednesday as Flight 773 from Guadalajara. In a cabin recording, crew members can be heard saying they heard a "pretty loud bang" and asking the control tower to check if the nose was damaged. The collision happened shortly before landing. "The exact cause is still being investigated," Aeromexico said in a statement. "The aircraft landed normally and the passengers' safety was never compromised."
The potential drone strike stoked fears that the rising use of uncrewed aircraft will endanger planes filled with passengers. While most nations prohibit drones from flying in pathways reserved for airliners, the millions of small consumer devices that have been purchased around the world can't be tracked on radar, making it difficult for authorities to enforce the rules. In addition, many users don't know the rules or don't follow them.
The potential drone strike stoked fears that the rising use of uncrewed aircraft will endanger planes filled with passengers. While most nations prohibit drones from flying in pathways reserved for airliners, the millions of small consumer devices that have been purchased around the world can't be tracked on radar, making it difficult for authorities to enforce the rules. In addition, many users don't know the rules or don't follow them.
One solution might be to put in noise sensors around airports, drone flight noise is fairly distinctive and loud (especially for anything heavy enough to cause any real damage). Once you know a drone is there, you can use a number fo drone counter-measures to remove it.
I also figure at this point any commercial drone has enough parts in it that can be traced back to the owner, that any drone hit will lead to them finding you and presumably a lot of jail time. We should publicize that part more.
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
The FAA actually has a pretty decent infrastructure and plan for this, it's called ADS-B. By the end of 2019 all manned aircraft that fly in US airspace are to have these transponders.
If drones had these then anyone would be able to get the registration data directly from nearby drones, so you could see who the peeping toms flying around your neighborhood are, in real-time, on a map.
It's just a matter of time before any drone capable of interacting with the national airspace system will be required to have such a transponder. Along with that expect inspection and compliance requirements - just like for manned aircraft. You want to take to the sky outside of class G airspace - then prove your craft is compliant. Manned aircraft are inspected at least once per year, commercial craft more often, based on hourly inspection requirements. Hobbyist drone operators should probably also be trained, tested, and required to show competency at least, oh, once every two years, to prove you even know what class G airspace is, and maybe a certificate of training of some kind.
Take your drone to class G airspace and stay there and below 400 feet - do whatever you want. With a functioning transponder. Enjoy the sky, but please realize you aren't alone up there.
"Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race." - H. G. Wells
can't be tracked on radar
Wanna bet? You just need a better radar...
Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.