Dubai: Drone experts, enthusiasts and residents say an authority is needed for training, regulating and licensing drone users.
Though drones are not banned in the UAE, using them inappropriately can cause their users to get in trouble with the law. This includes taking videos and pictures of people without their permission and taking pictures and videos of government buildings and military installations.
However, many drone users are not even aware of some of the dangers that can be caused by using these drones incorrectly because of the lack of awareness, training and regulations in the country, drone experts and enthusiasts told Gulf News.
Mohammad Aziz, Managing Director of Air Films Inspections in the Middle East, a company that uses its own manufactured drones for industrial inspections of the oil and gas industry, said an authority that provides training and licences is needed in the UAE.
“Our crew, for example, got their training and licence from Holland by an official authority and so they are aware of aviation laws that a lot of companies that service drones and hobbyists are not aware of.”
He said people should be aware of the basic laws of aviation to prevent what happened at the Dubai airport. “Basic aviation knowledge is needed because drone users might be flying in safe places but they might be unaware that if they fly high enough they can obstruct flight paths.”
When it comes to hobbyists, he stressed that they should be provided with places where they can fly their drones safely. He recommended the Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Facility on the Dubai-Al Ain Road. He also said his company is initiating drone training with the assistance of the authority.
Drone enthusiast Mohammad Al Falasi, also believed that there should be a licence for drone flyers. Al Falasi usually uses his drones to help him in his hunting trips abroad.
“The gazelles are scared of the sounds made by the drones. So we would connect our drones to our phone and direct the gazelles, who run away from the drone sound towards us. So, instead of looking for them, they come to us. We also fly them across the desert to watch its wild life”
Al Falasi said licences and regulations should be provided to drone users. “Many people suggested banning drones believing that it can only cause harm such as invading privacy of people and government buildings, but I believe that it has many uses and we shouldn’t ban something that has good and bad points because of some people. Instead, we should regulate it.”
Kirill Kripak, a professional filmmaker who also uses drones for work, believes regulation is needed. “I also don’t think that professional drones should be sold in mainstream shops.”
Dubai residents also believe that they should be regulated to prevent any intrusion of privacy.
“I think drones are great as long as no one is creeping up on me. I don’t think it should be banned because a few people misuse it. We should just regulate it,” said university student Ahmad Yousuf.
Stay-at-home Manal Jameel also said the authorities should make sure that no one is using it for wrong reasons such as spying.
