Drones are now deployed in operations including logistics, vehicular traffic management, communications, journalism, disaster response, rescue missions, agriculture, geo-mapping, spatial planning, scientific research and meteorology

By Eteobong Ita

Historical documents and oral traditions from the Middle-East support the existence of flight in ancient times. Whilst some decoded ancient Vedic writings make reference to the construction, operation and maintenance of flying machines, cryptologists claim the details of their construction, including propulsion systems are very technical and vague. Arguably so to prevent competing cultures or societies from uncovering the secrets behind flight.

Invented around 5th century BC in China, the kite may be the first type of aircraft. Later designs mimicked birds, flying insects and other animals. Historical Chinese sources show kites were used to measure distances, test the wind, lift men, signal and dispatch messages.

Leonardo da Vinci was a renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, inventor, military engineer and draftsman. His aircraft – the ornithopter – was constructed from pine and covered with raw silk to create a light but robust frame. Leonardo's ornithopter had a wingspan exceeding 10 meters.

In 1891, a craft – discovered in a tomb (dated to 200 BCE) in the Saqqara Necropolis – was recovered by Egyptian archaeologists. In 1969, Dr. Kahlil Messiha saw the craft in the Egyptian Musuem at Cairo and described it as a model plane. In 1971, Egyptian aeronautic engineers examined the craft. They concluded it demonstrated advanced features such as low-speed flights, and the ability to haul large loads.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) – also known as drone – may be fully or partially autonomous. Celebrated widely for their ability to capture a unique vantage point of our world and its beauty, UAVs are now deployed in operations including logistics, vehicular traffic management, communications, journalism, disaster response, rescue missions, agriculture, geo-mapping, spatial planning, scientific research, and the monitoring of weather conditions. These are all possible due to cutting-edge technology including algorithms for path-planning in three-dimensional spaces.

Characterised as concerns over privacy and safety, some real issues and tough choices have emerged. A part of civil society view UAVs as a growing concern. Arguably, given increasing unease over the possibility of an airspace packed with UAVs, on 31st December 2021, Europe's aviation safety agency (EASA) passed uniform drone regulations for the European Union (EU). Covering hobbyist and commercial operators, the regulations are comprehensive. Beyond urging operators to respect other peoples' privacy, drones with a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 250 grams must display a fireproof label indicating the owner's name and address affixed to the drone. In EU airspace the maximum permitted altitude for a drone is 120 meters. During flight, an operator must maintain uninterrupted and unassisted visual line of sight (VLOS) with the drone, keep a distance of 1.5 km from airports, and avoid controlled airspace or no-fly zones. Drones 500 grams and above must be insured.

*Ita is an independent journalist and environment consultant

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