Poison drones carrying biological weapon are new Olympic threat, warns Colonel in charge of keeping London calm
The Mail Online carries a rather sensational headline that underlines just how seriously authorities are taking Olympic Games airspace security.
In reality its only platforms larger than 7kg that are directly affected.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) recently advised owners of large model aircraft that they will be subject to the airspace security restrictions being put in place by the Government during the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The Government has already announced a Prohibited Zone will be established above Central London from 14 July 2012 to 15 August 2012 as a security measure to protect Games’ venues.
The CAA said the Prohibited Zone means model aircraft enthusiasts will not be able to operate a model weighing 7kg or above from any site within the Prohibited Zone for the duration of the Games. They will be subject to more minor restrictions during the Paralympic Games from 16 August 2012 – 12 September 2012.
Smaller airframes perhaps used by drone journalists would be subject to current ANO provisions. Any part of a CAA 1:500,000 chart that is yellow is considered a built up area and therefore not suitable for UA flight. So a multicopter pilot observed flying outside of approved RC flying sites might expect an interview on the 13th floor at Gatwick with no biscuits.
No doubt there will be a sliding scale of punishment, small boys playing in the park will probably be dealt with differently to expensive GPS guided camera platforms.
By STEPHANIE CONDRON and CHRISTOPHER LEAKE
A senior Army officer has warned that unmanned drones carrying deadly poison could be used in a devastating terrorist attack during the Olympic Games.
Lieutenant Colonel Brian Fahy delivered the grim warning at a meeting intended to allay the fears of residents worried about the Army’s plans to place missiles on the rooftops of flats.
He said it was ‘feasible’ that remote-controlled aircraft filled with poison and small enough to fit into a backpack could be used as a biological weapon in the capital.
He told The Mail on Sunday: ‘An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) can be put in a backpack. They come in all sorts of sizes and it’s feasible they could be filled with something noxious and flown by remote-control.’
