Drones have become increasingly popular, with a wide variety of models constantly emerging. However, their widespread use also brings about significant challenges. Drone safety has become a critical issue that demands serious attention. Although no major accidents, such as collisions between drones and aircraft, have occurred yet, the risks are real and cannot be ignored.
One day over a city, a remote-controlled multi-rotor drone was hovering in the air. Suddenly, a fighter jet with its landing gear deployed zoomed past at high speed, nearly coming into contact with the drone. Below, skyscrapers, streets, and vehicles were bustling with activity. This was not a scene from an action movie—it was a real-life incident that happened in our daily lives, far more intense than any fictional portrayal. The Beijing Military Region deployed two fighter jets to intercept a drone that had entered a restricted area without authorization. Two helicopters also took off to assist. Eventually, the unauthorized drone was forced to land, and its operator became the first person in the country to be prosecuted for "endangering public safety through dangerous means." The case concluded with a court ruling.
[Image: Domestic drones are not strictly regulated, and the black fly event continues]
In recent years, the rapid development of China’s civilian drone industry has led to technological advancements and reduced costs. Drones are now becoming common in everyday life. However, incidents involving unlicensed or unauthorized flights continue to raise concerns. Professor Gao Yuanyang from the General Aviation Industry Research Center at Beihang University pointed out that China's consumer drone market accounts for over 70% of the global market. While this growth is innovative and promising, the lack of effective regulation has resulted in numerous "black flying" incidents.
On Taobao, drone prices range from 2,000 to 27,000 yuan, depending on weight and camera quality. A customer service representative said many people are buying drones, especially younger generations. However, when reviewing a popular model with over 700 user comments, almost none asked if a license was required. According to the customer service, “It's free to fly—no one is watching.â€
During the Spring Festival period, several drone-related incidents disrupted airport operations. On January 15th, a drone was spotted near Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport, flying just 8.5 kilometers away. The pilot claimed he wanted to capture the sunset. However, video footage showed the drone reaching 450 meters in altitude, with multiple commercial planes passing nearby. Experts estimated the drone was only 100 meters away from one of the planes, posing a serious risk. Similar incidents occurred at Kunming Changshui Airport and Shenzhen Airport, where drones entered restricted zones during takeoff and landing, forcing air traffic control to take emergency actions.
The most severe incident happened last year above Chengdu Shuangliu Airport, where a drone intrusion caused the East Runway to be closed for over an hour, affecting 55 flights.
In response to these issues, the Beijing Military Region issued a notice emphasizing the need for stricter drone regulations. It stated that frequent illegal flights disrupt national air defense systems, waste resources, and pose significant risks to key national areas, military and civil aviation safety, and public security.
According to Chinese regulations, airspace is managed by the Air Force. Civilian flights must apply for specific routes. The Basic Rules of Flight state that the Air Force is responsible for flight control nationwide. Civil aviation authorities manage general aviation aircraft, but the airspace required for their operation must be approved by military air traffic control.
As for drone regulations, the Interim Provisions on the Administration of Drivers for Civil Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems (2013) require drones over 7 kg and those flying beyond visual line of sight to be licensed. Miniature drones under 7 kg, operating within 500 meters and below 120 meters, do not require licenses. Similarly, indoor flights and tests in sparsely populated areas are exempt.
From April 2014, the Chinese Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association began managing licenses for drones over 7 kg. In July 2016, the Civil Aviation Administration issued guidelines stating that drones weighing less than 4 kg and taking off under 7 kg can be operated without a license.
Despite these rules, some experts argue that loopholes still exist. If a small drone enters a no-fly zone, it may be hard to prevent. With the rapid growth of drones, regulations must keep pace. As one expert put it, “Regulation should take off before the drones do.â€
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