Institution of Mechanical Engineers' response to new drone legislation

In response to the Government’s proposed new legislation on drones published today, Dr Jenifer Baxter, Head of Engineering at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said:

“We welcome this new legislation that will help drone pilots to understand more clearly safety around drone flight. With rapidly expanding industrial and amateur drone use in the UK, registration and safety tests will ensure that all drone pilots fly in safe spaces and understand where they are allowed to fly. In particular, the legislation clarifies the rules around how far drones need to be kept away from airspace around airports.

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers supports innovative drone design and next month is holding its UAS Challenge, an annual drone design competition for students from over 20 universities in the UK and abroad. All students taking part in the Challenge will be required to understand the requirements of these new rules.”

Notes to Editors

• For interview requests and queries contact the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ Press Office on 020 7973 1261 or email media@imeche.org.
• The Institution of Mechanical Engineers was established in 1847 and has some of the world’s greatest engineers in its history books. It is one of the fastest growing professional engineering institutions. Headquartered in London, we have operations around the world and over 120,000 members in more than 140 countries working at the heart of the most important and dynamic industries such as the automotive, rail, aerospace, medical, power and construction industries.