An aircraft with no pilot on board, or an unmanned aerial vehicle, is commonly known by its acronym, UAV, or by the word ‘drone’. The latter term was first used in the 1930s by developers of radio-controlled aeroplanes used as targets to help train anti-aircraft gunners.
A UAV can be a remote-controlled aircraft flown by a ground-based pilot, or an aircraft that flies autonomously based on a preprogrammed flight plan or a dynamic automation system.
The term ‘unmanned aircraft system’ (UAS) was introduced to reflect the fact that these complex systems include ground stations and other elements in addition to the actual aircraft. ‘UAS’, however, is not widely used, as UAV has become part of the modern lexicon.
WHAT EXACTLY IS A DRONE?
Many members of the public have a negative perception of drones, as they
