The Denver International Airport (DIA) is doing something about its growing drone safety problem.
The DIA has formed a regional working group to prevent unauthorized unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) from flying near Colorado airports, according to a Denver Business Journal report. In the past three months, there have been seven instances when unauthorized drones have flown at altitudes up to 3,660 feet, including one that was approximately 500 feet from a plane approaching the airport.
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Federal Aviation Administration rules state that recreational drone operators must fly their UAVs below 400 feet and have to contact air traffic controllers if they fly within five miles of an airport.
“Unmanned aircraft systems are creating unprecedented new tools for hobbyists and commercial uses, but operators who don’t follow the rules are creating a potentially dangerous situation for commercial aircraft,” said Ken Green, DIA’s chief operating officer. “Safety is the No. 1 priority at Denver International Airport, and this working group will enable us to pool our collective resources and knowledge with our federal and regional partners to address this emerging technology.”
The group will share experiences with unmanned aircrafts and hope to recommend new policies and regulations at the federal level, according to the report.
The FAA is doing its part to educate the public on its rules with its “Know Before You Fly” campaign.
