22 July, 2017
The move follows research that showed strikes by drones of more than 400g could critically damage helicopter windscreens, while a bigger drone of about 2kg could critically harm airliner windscreens at higher speeds.
Under the new rules, drone owners will be made to pass a safety awareness course in order to "prove that they understand United Kingdom safety, security and privacy regulations".
It will also bring forward work to create an authoritative source of United Kingdom airspace data, which will facilitate the implementation of geo-fencing and build greater awareness of airspace restrictions amongst drone users.
There is no time frame or firm plans as to how the new rules will be enforced and the department admitted that "the nuts and bolts still have to be ironed out".
British officials have announced plans to regulate drone use in a bid to prevent accidents and threats to commercial aviation.
"Increasingly, drones are proving vital for inspecting transport infrastructure for fix or aiding police and fire services in search and rescue operations, even helping to save lives", Callanan will announce.
The Civil Aviation Authority's Airprox Board investigated no fewer than 22 incidents between drones and commercial aircraft in the first four months of the year, but police now have a near-impossible task when it comes to tracing owners of drones that have been flown dangerously.
The new law will implement a registration scheme and mandatory competency tests for all users of drones weighing 250 grams and above.
Citizens that own drones weighing more than 250g (80z) may need to register their drone and attend safety awareness courses under new government rules announced on Saturday. Its rules state drones must not be flown above 120 metres (400ft), out of the user's sight, over crowds or near aircraft and airports.
There have been at least four incidents in the last nine months when planes narrowly avoided drones at airports in Scotland.
Police have even recorded incidents of rows between neighbours, prison smuggling, burglary "scoping" exercises and fears around snooping.
