Drone Sighting Guidelines

The objective of this joint document for pilots and air traffic controllers is to improve the information flow between the two groups and to coordinate the response when a drone is reported.

Drone sightings by commercial aircraft are on the rise. There have been numerous cases of airspaces and aerodromes being closed due to reports of drones in the vicinity. Many countries do not yet have standard procedures to deal with drone sightings near aerodromes or violations of controlled airspace by drones. These guidelines are not a one-fits-all solution due to the dynamic and unpredictable nature of drone encounters but can be used to support the implementation of standard procedures and help pilots and air traffic controllers handle drone reports until such procedures are in place.

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