Christmas drone invasion predictions concern authorities

The number of drones flying through North American skies is about to get a boost, say industry insiders causing serious concern for safety among aviationauthorities.

The U.S.Federal Aviation Administration said it fears up to one million unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known asdrones,couldmake their way under Christmas trees this season, according to Aviation Daily.

The U.S.Consumer Electronics Association's more sober estimatepegs that numbercloser to 700,000 for the year which it said would still be an increase of more than 50 per cent insales from 2014.

Transport Canada said it doesn't have specific estimate for drone sales north of the border, but it confirmed the drone industry is in full bloom, especiallyleading up to the holiday season.

"Many people will receive drones over the holidays this year. But before enjoying their gift, new users should learn how to fly them safely and legally," said TransportMinister MarcGarneauin one of a series of new videos posted on the Transport Canada website.

Close calls and waywarddrones

Garneau'sadvice follows several close calls involving drones across Canada this year.

In August,a dronenarrowly avoided crashing mid-air with a seaplane in Vancouver.That same month, firefighters were grounded by a wayward drone in Oliver, B.C.

"We're not worried about commercial drones, but about those that will be found under Christmas trees this year," said BernardGervais, president of theCanadian Owners and Pilots Association.

"People absolutely need to be educated, right at the point of sale. They need to understand that an encounter between a drone and a plane can have some very serious consequences."

Suchincidents, coupled with the explosive growth of the drone industry, haveregulatory authorities scrambling to keep up.

Canadais looking at bringing in updated drone regulations next year, replacing itsexisting safety guidelineswithstricter rulesrequiring licensing,training and registration.

'Not something to be scared of'

Despite the doom and gloom of worst-case predictions, those working in the drone industry say there's no need for fearmongering.

"It's important to say, 'Hey, this is a flying camera. Use it respectfully and use it safely.'It's not something to be scared of," saidBryanMicon, speaking on behalfof Las Vegas-basedDrones Plus, which operates 15 stores across Canada and the U.S.

Micon said a lot of the media coverage he has seen has been "sensationalized," andfocused onprivacy concerns, likethe time adrone was spotted buzzing around a Vancouver condo tower.

But Miconsaid as the technology becomes more common, those issues will iron themselves out.

"Sure, maybe everybody at this stage doesn't understand how to use them out of the box," he said.

"I think within a few years though, they'll just become so ubiquitous ... it will become less scary for people."