Drones may provide huge commercial opportunities, but they also pose a serious hazard, that’s according to a new study released by aerospace and defense firm, Aero Kinetics. The research details the ‘potentially fatal consequences’ of flying toy drones within the national airspace system and calls for regulation. ‘Toy drones are an absolute threat,’ that increase the risk of crashes and fatalities within the commercial airline sector, the chairman and CEO of Aero Kinetics, Hulsey Smith, told TheStreet’s Rhonda Schaffler. ‘Expansion of the gaming industry as well as smart phones at large have made these toys cheaper and more affordable for the public to buy,’ he added. ‘They don’t understand the real risk they pose when they’re in a wrapper under the Christmas tree.’ It is estimated that around 400,000 toy drones will be sold this holiday season, with overall sales pushing 700,000 this year. FAA regulation still remains hazy on the subject of toy drone regulation, offering a ‘common sense approach,’ that allows drones to be flown at least five miles away from airports and below 400 feet. Smith suggests that in the future a toy drone will be required to have ‘some kind of technology integrated into the system to prevent it flying above 250 feet, or within certain air spaces.’
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