Drone safety events

DRONES

Drones pose a risk to air traffic safety if used incorrectly or without permission in a (prohibited) area. 

DRONE REPORTS BY PILOTS

Air traffic controllers cannot see drones on radar, nor from the control tower - due to the small size of a drone. Air traffic controllers therefore receive drone reports in most cases from pilots. Pilots indicate to air traffic controllers where they have seen a drone. It is often difficult to estimate the height at which a drone flies and the distance to the aircraft. 

IF A PILOT REPORTED A DRONE: 

• Do air traffic controllers warn pilots flying in the area; 
• Air traffic controllers determine whether runway use needs to be adjusted, and if the pilot's information indicates this, they adjust the flight path of aircraft in the area; 
• The air traffic controller calls in the Aviation Police so that they can enforce. 

LVNL has no information to extensively investigate a drone report. The only information is the pilot's report.

Number of unauthorised drone incidents

The reported drone incidents are investigated during LVNL's incident investigation process. These incidents may involve situations where a drone flies without the permission of LVNL and comes into close proximity to an aircraft. Such incidents are considered more serious than when there’s no aircraft are nearby. LVNL applies specific criteria to assess the severity of each incident. For example, in the case of a serious incident, pilots may report that the aircraft passed the unauthorised drone within a distance of just a few meters.