The rise of drone technology: what it means for aviation – Part 2 – Commercial use

Drones are becoming an increasingly important part in the world of aviation, from private recreational drones to large military drones, and even talk of delivery drones and flying taxis.

This is the second of a two parts mini-series on drones. In this blog post I will look at drones, with a focus on the commercial and civilian side.

Check out our previous blog post about drones from a military viewpoint and how the military uses drones:

https://www.avgeekblog.co.uk/post/the-rise-of-drone-technology-what-is-means-for-aviation-part-1-military-use

Drones have many benefits and are used by different people for different purposes. Below, I look at some examples of where drones are used.

Recreational Use

Many people use drones as their hobby or just for fun. Drones are popular presents for people. However, there are restrictions on drone use such as how high you can fly them and where they are allowed to be flown. For example, drones are not allowed to be flown around sensitive areas or near airports. Famously, London Gatwick has been the recipient of multiple drone sighting that have wreaked havoc on airport operations, leading to delayed and cancelled flights. There are also concerns about privacy and how people use drones, and what they use them for, especially if they are using drones for their own personal use.

Surveying land

Drones are also used to survey land before buying it or building on it. It can also be used to create cinematic shots of a building project or area. Drones can also be used to survey the land after a natural disaster to investigate the extent of the damage.

Emergency Services

Emergency Services use drones for many reasons. Police use drones for reconnaissance and to survey a crime scene from above. Firefighters can use drones to check if there is anyone still inside a burning building without putting firefighters at risk.

Check out our blog post on how firefighters use aviation to put out fires:

https://www.avgeekblog.co.uk/post/how-aviation-is-used-to-fight-fires

Search and rescue efforts often rely on drones to locate people who are injured or missing, especially drones that have sensors that can help detect people, such as heat seeking sensors. Drones are even sometimes used to transport blood to hospitals and clinics in remote and hard to access parts of the world where blood is urgently needed for transfusions. Security forces also use drones. The United States Secret Service has been reported to use drones to counter other drones near sensitive areas such as the White House.

Check out a more detailed blog post on how emergency services use aviation here:

https://www.avgeekblog.co.uk/post/the-role-of-aviation-in-emergency-services

Delivering supplies to remote communities

Drones can be extremely beneficial when it comes to helping in times of need or to remote communities. Communities may be inaccessible due to natural disasters or because they are a large distance away. Autonomous drones would be able to fly long distances and carry materials as well as bypass any obstructions after a natural disaster. During the pandemic, drones helped communities to access goods and services and in Ghana, drones delivered 13% of the country’s initial shipment of COVID-19 vaccines in just 3 days.

Development of drones

In recent years there has been talks of using autonomous drones to transport people such as using flying taxis. This could be beneficial for faster transport, especially in highly congested areas. However, there are concerns about increased noise in already built-up areas and concerns about how flying taxis would fit into the existing air traffic control system.

There has also been talk of using drones for deliveries such as by Amazon. This would allow faster deliveries and could possibly cut down operating costs. However, there are concerns about how to deliver a package safely and without damaging the delivery, objects on the ground and without causing injury to people. Also, how would these drones fit into the existing air traffic control system without causing more disruption and congestion? These are questions that would need to be answered before these technologies are rolled out on a larger scale.

The benefits of drone uses are clear and regulators across the world are now looking at ways to support the expansion of drone technology, exploring drones carrying heavier loads and even transporting people. Previously, drones were only capable of transporting light packages, but developments and advancements mean that drones can carry 70kg to 500kg loads, depending on the aircraft. These advancements means that new delivery methods can be more efficient and cost effective than existing helicopters, trucks or ferry-based infrastructure, especially for goods that are of high social or economic value in areas that are not well served by current infrastructure. It is thought that approving heavy cargo operations may also serve as a bridge to platforms that carry people since the technology is similar.

Benefits of drones

Drones have many benefits and many potential benefits. Drones would likely be more cost effective and fuel efficient than current helicopters or delivery trucks, especially once economics of scale come into effect. Drones would also be reusable so it is not like a military kamikaze drone that can only be used once, this reusability drives down cost. Additionally, drones can be pre-programmed, and this autonomous nature would drive down cost and lead to more efficient systems of drone deployment.

Challenges of drones

Despite many benefits that drones offer, there are some challenges that drones and drone operators face. There are restrictions on where drones can be flown. Drones cannot be flown near airports and near other high-profile buildings such as government buildings. Drones also may have a limited flight time, especially when carrying a heavy package. There are also safety concerns. If a drone was to drop a parcel onto the ground, there is the risk of injuring someone on the ground or causing damage or danger to the area. There are also concerns about cyber security and the risk of drones being hacked and used for nefarious purposes.

Drones are becoming an increasingly important part in the world of aviation. Drones clearly have the potential to revolutionize many areas of our lives from transport to home deliveries but come with serious questions that need to be answered before the technology is fully implemented. This is the second of a two parts mini-series on drones which I hope you have enjoyed reading. If you like these mini-series, please share your thoughts by leaving a comment, or suggestion by contacting us by email or on social media.

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