Drones are increasingly present in our airspace — but are we dealing with harmless gadgets or highly capable professional aircraft systems?

In our latest podcast/video episode, Michael Van Bladel shares expert insights on drone operations, aviation safety, and recent drone sightings near major airports. The discussion covers drone categories, pilot licensing requirements, incident trends, detection methods, and the real risks drones pose to aircraft.

In addition to the episode, Michael has summarized and attached further background information, including:

• A documented overview of major drone-related aviation incidents between 2016–2025
• A detailed briefing on drone categories, capabilities, threat levels, and mitigation strategies in early 2026

These documents provide additional context and data for professionals who want a deeper understanding of the evolving drone landscape.

🎧 Watch / listen now: