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Near-misses between aircraft and drones have more than tripled in just two years, “worrying” figures reveal today.

Some 92 incidents were recorded in 2017, according to an analysis of UK Airprox Board data.

That compares with with 71 during the previous 12 months and 29 in 2015.

Former RAF and British Airways pilot Steve Landells, flight safety specialist at pilots’ union Balpa, described the stats as “very worrying”.

He fears the true extent of the problem could be even more severe as pilots struggle to see drones from cockpits.

“It’s really hard to see something that small,” he said.

(Image: PA)

“There’s a possibility there are a lot more near misses that aren’t being seen,” he said.

“This could just be the tip of the iceberg.”

Twenty-eight near misses in the past year were classified as having the most serious risk of a collision, according to the Press Association study.

They included incidents near Heathrow, Gatwick and London City airports, as well as Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool and Bristol.

Mr Landells said pilots were particularly concerned about near-misses when they are preparing to land.

“It’s a critical stage of the flight and you really don’t need to be distracted,” he said.

“If you see a drone flying past your cockpit it’s a real shock to the system.

“Anything that distracts you from getting the aircraft down on the ground is a safety hazard.”

A study part-funded by the Department for Transport found a drone weighing 2kg could critically damage a plane windscreen in the event of a mid-air collision.

Available for as little as £30 and often boasting built-in cameras, sales of the gadgets have soared in recent years.

Drone users must follow restrictions on flying near airports, people and built-up areas.

The Civil Aviation Authority’s “drone code” warns users must not fly the devices above 400ft, where they cannot be seen, near aircraft, airports or airfields, within 150ft (50m) of people or property, over crowds and built-up areas, or within 500ft of crowds and built-up areas.

The Government is due to publish a draft Drone Bill in the coming months which will require users to register and sit safety awareness tests.