[jcrawfordor]

Simple answer: no.

The primary surveillance radars at airports are unlikely to detect an object as small as these, they just don't reflect enough and I suspect even if observed they would be ignored by software because of their small size and low speeds (basically, they do not look or act like airplanes).

The secondary surveillance radar, which is now the main system used by ATC, would be completely blind to them, as it relies on active equipment being installed in the aircraft. Requiring the installation of transponders in drones might be tempting, but they are large and expensive compared to a quadcopter, so it's impractical.

[jessaustin]

Requiring the installation of transponders in drones might be tempting, but they are large and expensive compared to a quadcopter, so it's impractical.

This feels like the sort of limitation that will disappear given a few more years of electronic miniaturization. Drones aren't going away, so it would be wise to start work on incorporating them into ATC systems sooner rather than later.

[zo1]

>"The secondary surveillance radar, which is now the main system used by ATC, would be completely blind to them, as it relies on active equipment being installed in the aircraft. Requiring the installation of transponders in drones might be tempting, but they are large and expensive compared to a quadcopter, so it's impractical."

Interesting factoid: The new regulations put into place last year by the South African civil aviation authority mandates transponders for drones entering restricted/controlled airspace.

Apparently, there are commercial transponders in place that comply with the specs required, but are prohibitively expensive. At least, compared to most consumer drones.