THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Flying drones in important areas, including airport runways and military bases, poses a significant security threat. There is a ban on flying drones within two kilometers of strategic areas and within three kilometers of airports. Despite this, Chinese-made high-quality drones purchased online are being flown in violation of these regulations.

A drone crashed on the runway of Thiruvananthapuram airport yesterday. Even though it was a toy drone, it posed a serious threat to aircraft. Drones have been flown in strategic areas of the capital before.

Prohibited areas

There are 82 strategic centers including Raj Bhavan, the Secretariat, the Cabinet, ISRO, airports and military bases. Drones in military zones will be shot down by the military.

Wingless operation Udan

The police's 'Operation Udan,' conducted with the help of the Air Force and ISRO to destroy illegal drones has come to a standstill. The police's anti-drone system can detect drones within five kilometers and jam them using radio frequency or lasers to bring them to the ground. Like a mobile phone's IMEI, a drone has an identification number which reveals where it was manufactured.

If a drone hits a plane

1. Low-flying drones are invisible to radars. A collision could cause the aircraft to lose control. A drone's fast-spinning propellers can add to the impact of a crash.

2. The engine may malfunction and catch fire. The digital control system could also fail. A drone can break the wing of a plane in three hundredths of a second.

License requirements

There are five types of drones, ranging from 250g nano drones to 150kg heavy drones.

Nano drones do not require registration but should not fly above 50 feet.

All other drones require a permit from the Directorate of Civil Aviation and a Personal Identification Number.

Drones should not fly above 400 feet. Security agencies do not need permission.

Two years imprisonment

Flying a drone near an airport is an offense punishable by two years in jail and a fine of Rs 10 lakh under the Aircraft Act.