Originally Posted by
sky9
No but drones are technically aircraft and there is absolutely no reason why drones could not be given permission to operate at a specific time place and height within controlled airspace with the clearance could be given electronically. At the present time it would appear that they have been given unrestricted access up to within 1km of an airfield and a specific height in all airspace
The current operator if he gets caught will no doubt claim that he wasn't endangering an aircraft because there were all grounded and the jury will no doubt find him innocent or the judge will give him a suspended sentence.
In reality operators with a PfCO will be aware when flying in an area that is either controlled or closed to controlled airspace and will make contact with the appropriate tower. Typically they want to know where one is flying, the height and a contact number, and to get a call when flying is completed. If they have a greater concern about the proposed location if on the flightpath it is then discussed, and usually some sort of compromise worked out.
It is of course obvious that yesterday's dronist was not flying to anyone's rules.....