Dos and don’ts for drone fliers as Hong Kong considers laws to limit and license their use
With the popularity of unmanned aerial vehicle soaring as their price drops, safety is a growing concern around the world – including Hong Kong; recreational and commercial ‘pilots’ consider the prospect of new regulations
Are drones about to become a victim of their own popularity? That’s one concern expressed by enthusiasts of the popular remote-controlled flying devices, after Hong Kong’s aviation authority launched a public consultation last week on drone regulation. Although they may agree that supervision is necessary for safety reasons, operators are unsure how much the new rules will clip their wings.
The first commercially successful consumer drone – French company Parrot’s AR.Drone – was launched only in 2010 and retailed for about US$300. However, the technology has since advanced so rapidly in such a short space of time that it is now possible to buy a drone for as little as HK$200 (US$25).
Functionality has broadened as users experiment with the technology. While they have primarily been used for aerial photography, potential applications have been identified in search and rescue operations, surveillance, goods delivery and much more.
China’s biggest courier firm could soon deliver parcels by drone
Drone racing has become a new hobby for some, for example. Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana used them to carry handbags down the catwalk during Milan Fashion Week in February, while chip maker Intel staged a light show at the Winter Olympics in South Korea with a record-breaking 1,218 drones.
What’s next for the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) is anyone’s guess, but taxi drones big enough to carry two people are being tested in Dubai.
