A pilot taking off from the Region of Waterloo International Airport reported a near-miss with a drone moments after takeoff.
According to Waterloo Regional Police, the pilot took off around 3 p.m. Sunday.
Once he was about half a kilometre north of the airport, police say, he “came within 10 feet of striking an unmanned aerial vehicle.”
Although the two vehicles nearly collided, the pilot did not have to take evasive action and no injuries were reported.
Police responded to the airport, but were unable to locate the drone or its operator.
Pilot Bob Keeping says he went through a similar incident about a year ago, while approaching the same runway at YKF.
“All of a sudden, there was just a flash (that) went by,” he said.
“(There was) not enough time to be terrified – more annoyed than anything else, like ‘What are they doing up here?”
Keeping also flies drones. He says he understands the appeal of unmanned aerial vehicles, but hopes everyone understands the damage they could cause to other aircraft.
“Being hit by a baseball bat would be a lot less traumatic. Pretty well anywhere on the airplane, it’s going to cause damage,” he said.
“If it comes through the window, it’ll probably kill the front seat passengers immediately. “
Sunday’s incident involved a Bearskin Airlines plane, which was on its way to Timmins.
Federal regulations prohibit drones from flying within nine kilometres of any Canadian airport.
