UNMANNED AIRCRAFT AS A GROWING HAZARD FOR AVIATION SAFETY

Systematically growing use of unmanned aircraft (UA) creates new threat areas for air traffic, such as the dangerous approaching of UA to manned aircraft during flights with passengers on a board. Such situations have been observed many times not only in Poland, but also in other countries airspace.  The reason for that, according to the author, is primarily the widespread availability of various types of drones, as well as lack of full legal provisions. The author in that article presents growing threats, coming from unauthorized usage of unmanned aerial vehicles in airspace, to other kinds of aviation (passenger aircrafts in particular) in airports vicinity. Unidentified drones appearing next to passenger airplanes, during its approach to landing, as well UA landing on sites of nuclear power plants, military units, and even on the White House interior square, today are not something extraordinary. Therefore drones are such a big challenge. Their unlawful use may threaten air traffic safety, or it can be used to carry out terrorist attacks, sabotage, including actions against critical infrastructure, or to violate people's privacy. The new situation creates the scientific need for a comprehensive analysis of the problems. Many aspects presented in the article may contribute to better understanding the new challenges, as well it may be helpful for further researches in that area.

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