Where The Drones Are

I want to thank you for writing a balanced and fair assessment about the threat of drones to aviation (Where The Drones Are, October 2016). Your article is perhaps the first rational discussion related to the dangers of these little plastic radio-control models. I have been a pilot for the past 22 years, and owned a Cessna 172 for the past 12 years. I would certainly hate to hit one of these things.

Editorial Staff

Monday, October 24, 2016 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The article discusses drone safety, acknowledging potential low-altitude threats to aviation but noting that many operators adhere to rules and drones typically operate where personal aircraft rarely go.
There's a debate on spin training, with one pilot advocating for spin avoidance over recovery due to low-altitude accident scenarios, while the editor highlights that recovery training helps pilots understand aircraft limits and prevent spins.
A reader provides suggestions for improving "Accident Briefs" terminology and detail, to which the editor responds by explaining their use of consistent NTSB phrases from preliminary reports.

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I want to thank you for writing a balanced and fair assessment about the threat of drones to aviation (“Where The Drones Are,” October 2016). Your article is perhaps the first rational discussion related to the dangers of these little plastic radio-control models. I have been a pilot for the past 22 years, and owned a Cessna 172 for the past 12 years. I would certainly hate to hit one of these things.