Ireland: Aviation body has issued 22 drone permits
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The Irish Aviation Authority has issued permits to 22 operators to use drones or unmanned air systems (UAS) in the Republic.
The UAS sanctioned by the authority are used mainly for aerial survey, filming and photography.
The rapid advance in technology means the cost of civilian drones had dropped to a few hundred euros and can be purchased online. There are now 22 licensed here compared to 14 this time last year.
Aviation regulations governing UAS in Ireland mean that operators are restricted to flying no higher than 150m and no farther than 500m from the control station.
A spokesman for the authority said it was reviewing its policy on making public the names of those with permissions to operate the aircraft systems.
The European Aviation Safety Agency is in the process of introducing pan-European legislation to cover the operation of systems with a mass of 150kg or more. UAS below this weight are subject to national legislation.
The widespread use of drones in Europe is likely within the next few years if EU and US plans to create a new aerospace market come to pass.
