Tag: Drone

Drones – Register as an Operator, get Trained and Know the Rules Before You Fly, Cautions Aviation Authority

The Irish Aviation Authority, An Garda Síochána and Dublin City Council today launched the ‘Drone Safely This Christmas’ Campaign. If you’re thinking of getting a drone this Christmas, you need to make sure you register as an Operator on the IAA website and that you know the rules before you fly. This advice comes ahead of the busiest shopping days in the lead up to Christmas.

Jim Gavin, Chief Operations Officer of the Irish Aviation Authority commenting on drone safety said: 

“Drone use has increased significantly in recent years. Piloting a drone is fun but it comes with responsibility to fly it safely while respecting people’s privacy. Remember a drone is not a toy and can have very serious consequences if it collides with a person, an animal or an another aircraft. So, if you do get a drone this Christmas, remember it’s your responsibility to know the rules and fly it safely.”

Inspector John Egan, Garda Air Support Unit added:

“Breaches of EU Drone Regulations are enforced by the Irish Aviation Authority. An Garda Siochana also has a number of enforcement powers where a criminal offence has occurred, or is suspected to have occurred, with regard to the flying of Drones. Drones are not permitted to fly within five (5) kilometres of an airport.

Flying a Drone in this area creates a substantial risk to manned aviation. This risk may constitute a serious offence by way of Endangerment under Section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997. This offence carries a maximum penalty of seven (7) years in prison.

It is also an offence under Section 43 of the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1988 to cause a false alarm which interferes with the operation of an aircraft, aerodrome or air navigation installation. Flying a Drone within five (5) kilometres of an airport may cause such alarm and you will be guilty of an offence.

An Garda Siochana also has a power to seize a Drone where a member of an Garda Siochana reasonably suspects the Drone is being, or is intended to be operated in the commission of any offence.”

The Irish Aviation Authority became one of the first aviation regulators in the world to introduce mandatory drone registration and regulations in December 2015. Consumers who own a drone that is over 250gr or has a camera, are legally required to register as a drone operator. If you are a drone operator, drone safety is your responsibility. You need to ensure you are always in control of the drone and that you remain compliant with the law.

“Thankfully the vast majority of drone users are compliant with the regulations. However, we are concerned, with the rapid growth of drone usage, that not all new pilots may be away of their responsibilities which can lead to unsafe flying. If you see anyone not complying with the regulations, we encourage people to contact the IAA. Reckless use of a drone or inappropriate use of a drone camera may result in prosecution,” Enda Walsh, UAS Manager/Drones Champion from the Irish Aviation Authority added. 

            

For more information on IAA Drone Safety Regulations and registration process, visit www.iaa.ie/drones

ANGOKA’s Drone Summit returns for a second year

Belfast based cybersecurity firm ANGOKA is to host its second UK & Ireland Drone Summit sponsored by KPMG and the Royal Air Force.

The summit will bring speakers from across Europe to discuss the evolution and revolution of drones, and the important role that cybersecurity plays in the accuracy and security of the communications between devices.

The conference, which will take place on November 20th in KPMG’s Belfast offices, will include a live security demonstration which will see a live hacking attempt to illustrate this landscape and how ANGOKA can mitigate for all eventualities using its secure communication technology.

Between keynote speakers and panel discussions, the summit will explore the cyber challenge for UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), technology drivers behind UAV advancements and the regulatory and social challenge for UAVs.

Highlighting the importance of events like this Shadi Razak, Chief Technology Officer at ANGOKA says: “We’re delighted that the UK & Ireland Drone Summit is returning. With the success of last year’s event, we saw the benefits to the industry in bringing great minds together to discuss how we can transform the regulatory, governance, security and safety challenges to opportunities that harness the good and mitigate the negative impact and foreseen risk of UAV technologies.

“Drones are allowing us to achieve more than ever before and continue to provide opportunities to businesses and the economy. Whilst use of drones is important, the risks of cyber is real, both commercially and physically.

“The conference is bringing together thought leaders and innovators to discuss the benefits, and also the downfalls, that come with UAVs, and how as an industry we can work together to ensure both physical and digital security.”

ANGOKA has a proven record of creating impenetrable security systems to protect driverless road vehicles and UAVs. The Belfast firm has partnered with a number of projects in the UK Research and Innovation’s Future Flight Challenge including Skyway in which air traffic corridors in the south of England have been designated for drones and unmanned aircraft. ANGOKA also supplies the hacker-proof security for automated, teleoperated and unmanned aircraft using these corridors.

Speakers participating in ANGOKA’s UK & Ireland Drone Summit include KPMG’s Chair, Global AAM and Future of Flight Community Chris Brown, Royal Airforce’s Air and Space Welfare Centre Commandant Air Commadore Blythe Crawford CBE, Innovate UK’s Future Flight Challenge Innovation Lead Vicki Murdie,  BT Group’s Director of Drones Dave Pankhurst, GSMA’s Senior Technical Director, Smart Mobility Lead Barbara Pareglio, and Civil Aviation Authority’s Emerging Policy Specialist for Future Safety and Innovation, Ed Fitzpatrick.

For more details and to register for the conference visit here.

ANGOKA flying high as member of international drone group

Belfast cyber security firm ANGOKA has been accepted as a member of Geneva-based Global Uncrewed Traffic Management Association (GUTMA).  

ANGOKA, which specializes in securing the safe passage of uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV) and remote and automated road transport vehicles, says joining the group will enhance the firm’s international reach in this fast developing sector.  

GUTMA represents organizations involved in innovative drone services and smart mobility solutions enabled by services that keep drone operations at all altitudes safe and efficient. It engages in impactful research and development and in technical, regulatory and political processes to foster a global ecosystem in a fair global drone services market. 

Martin Hawley, ANGOKA Head of Business Development for AAM (advanced air mobility), says GUTMA membership brings ANGOKA into a new sphere of influence at a time when the drone industry is on the cusp of explosive development. 

“Cyber security in the uncrewed traffic management (UTM) space will cement the industry’s reputation as being serious about safety as well as the security of its cargo,” says Dr Hawley.  

“As cyber is seen as a driver of IoT (internet of things) adoption, it will in the same way drive market adoption of drone and uncrewed aerial vehicles solutions and AAM. I’m looking forward to meeting other members of GUTMA to see how we can support the industry.” 

“We are moving faster than ever towards the commercialization of automated flight across many sectors ranging from search and rescue to logistics and traffic management,” he says.     

GUTMA members include Boeing, Airbus, the Federal Aviation Administration and many other leading aviation, electronics and aeronautical businesses. 

ANGOKA has a proven record of creating impenetrable security systems to protect UAVs. The firm has partnered with a number of projects in the UK Research and Innovation’s Future Flight Challenge including Skyway in which air traffic corridors in the south of England have been designated for drones and unmanned aircraft. ANGOKA supplies the Future- Proof security for automated, teleoperated and uncrewed aircraft using these corridors.