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Warning after drone 'near misses' with RAF planes

File photo of a drone in the skyImage source, Getty
Image caption,

The RAF said there had been two recent "near miss" incidents involving drones and military aircraft which could have been 鈥渃atastrophic"

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Drone operators have been warned about 鈥渞eckless鈥 behaviour after 鈥渘ear misses鈥 with military aircraft.

The Mach Loop - a series of valleys between Dolgellau in Gwynedd and Machynlleth in Powys - is used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) for low-flying aircraft training.

But the RAF said there had been two incidents in recent weeks which could have had 鈥渃atastrophic consequences鈥.

鈥淢ost drone pilots know to behave with appropriate caution - but it only takes the action of one reckless individual to cause a fatality,鈥 RAF Valley said.

Image source, RAF Valley
Image caption,

Warning signs have been installed across the Mach Loop after recent incidents

It said its aircraft frequently flew below 400ft (122 metres) in the designated area and that using drones 鈥渞ecklessly or negligently鈥 in a way which could 鈥渆ndanger any person or property" was illegal.

The RAF put up warning signs around the area, with more to be installed.