Planes forced to dodge drone
DRONE USERS COULD BE PROSECUTED, POLICE WARN
FLIGHTS coming into land at Newcastle airport were forced to dodge a drone hovering in Newcastle Airport’s airspace.
Police have issued a safety warning to drone users after the incident which saw arrivals delayed at Newcastle Airport.
When the drone was spotted close to the airspace aeroplanes on their way in to land at Newcastle were put into a holding pattern, forcing the planes to loop in the air before they could land safely.
A spokesperson for Newcastle International Airport said: “A drone was sighted near Newcastle International airspace on Sunday afternoon.
“While further investigations took place, several approaching aircraft were put into a holding pattern for a short time before being advised to land.
“All aircraft landed safely and flight operations returned to normal shortly afterwards.”
Northumbria Police issued a stark warning to drone users that they could be prosecuted if they fly them in restricted areas.
Superintendent Sarah Pitt, of Northumbria Police’s operations department, said: “The public need to be aware that if we identify them as flying in restricted areas then they could be prosecuted.
“Some users don’t realise these types of aircraft are subject to rules and legislation.
“We need to ensure we do our part to keep the public safe and informed.
“Not only could flying drones in the flight paths of aircrafts cause major delays, some of which come at a great cost, but it could also put members of the public at risk and it will not be tolerated.”
Police also said that drones should always be flown within the line of sight of people and that drones within 150 metres of a crowded area are committing a criminal offence and may infringe air safety legislation.