Over half of the British public think prison sentences should be handed out to people who endanger aircrafts through the use of drones, according to a new survey.
52% of people told the The British Airline Pilots' Association (BALPA) that they want to see custodial sentences for anyone found to have compromised aircraft safety with a drone.
A further 24% felt a fine was the most appropriate level of punishment for endangering aircraft safety.
Elsewhere, 40% of people also want to see stricter rules on qualifications for drone pilots, saying that they should have the same licence as someone qualified to fly an aircraft.
Only 20% thought that the current commercial UK drone license was adequate for flying drones in urban areas, while 31% thought no-one should be able to fly drones in built-up areas.
BALPA General Secretary Jim McAuslan said: "Drone technology is taking off, and we want to make sure the country can benefit from the business and leisure opportunities that it could offer without putting flight safety at risk.
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"Pilots and the public want the UK to be a 'safe drone zone', and these polling results show that the public backs stricter laws on training for drone pilots and punishment for endangering aircraft."
He added: "The UK can lead the way on safely introducing small drones, and set the standard for the passenger aircraft of the future.
"Pilots are also calling for the British public to be informed, involved and consulted before companies fly large, remotely-piloted aircraft over their homes and alongside their passenger planes."
