RAF plane spots drone flying 'dangerously high'

A drone has been spotted by an RAF crew flying more than 22 times above the legal limit in Lincolnshire airspace, police have said.

Lincolnshire Police said it was being flown at 9,000ft (2,743m) above Wispington, near Horncastle. The maximum legal height limit a drone can be flown at is 400ft (122m).

It was spotted by the crew of an RAF Prefect aircraft which said the drone was "dangerously high" at about 15:00 BST on 26 May.

Kev Taylor, chief drone pilot and flight safety manager for Lincolnshire Police, said: "We know the majority of drone pilots fly legally and safely and although it's unusual to see drones at this height, we have sadly seen this before."

An RAF Prefect is a two-seat, low-wing aircraft and is used to provide flying training at RAF Cranwell and RAF Barkston Heath, according to Ascent Flight Training.

Taylor added: "Lincolnshire airspace is very busy with the Red Arrows, Battle of Britain, air ambulance and many military and civil crewed aircraft flying daily alongside many drone flights.

"It goes without saying the safety of all air users is paramount."

Anyone with information that could help identify the drone's pilot has been urged to contact the force.

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