Chaps, “drone” is a well established noun in the English language. The fact that it has been regularly used in eminent aviation journals must qualify it as a legitimate word for professional aviators. For example:
1958 | 1- - 0897 | Flight Archive
Flight, 12 DEC 58
Just before the last S.B.A.C. Display, Short Brothers and
Harland, Ltd., announced the development of the Canberra
U.IO as a pilotless, remote-controlled aircraft for use in
missile trials. Firefly and Meteor drones have for some years been
used for this type of work and it was logical to suppose that the
Canberra might also be adapted for such duties in order to provide
a drone with higher performance and longer range.
As the acronyms for these machines seem to change like ladies’ fashion, the well understood word, “drone” would appear very sensible. It is appreciated, of course, that some of you chaps hate to be associated with anything made public through popular newspapers, television or the wireless but that is where ordinary people may hope to learn something. Look on the bright side; at least they aren’t being called remote controlled toy aeroplanes.