Drone sales are taking off so here’s a recap of how not to fly into trouble before you splash out on one of the gadgets.
Beware. Recreational flying over your neighbour’s house‚ crime scene or even near to a police station could land you in a lot of trouble.
A safety officer at Koeberg nuclear power station in Cape Town was suspended after a drone that crashed on the site – a national key point — was returned to its owner without a thorough investigation being completed.
Nobody is allowed under the current rules to operate a drone for commercial‚ corporate‚ or non-profit purposes unless they have a valid remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS or drone) operator certificate.
Recreational users of drones are not required to undergo the same certification process‚ provided that they receive no favours or any form of financial gain in exchange for flying.
“It is important to note that an RPAS (drone) pilot has the responsibility to ensure that the aircraft operate safely and does not endanger the safety of another aircraft‚ person‚ property‚ nor invade on the privacy and security of any other member of the public‚” say the rules. “The RPAS pilot must observe all statutory requirements relating to liability‚ privacy‚ and any other laws enforceable by other institutions.”
Some of the regulations stipulate that drones may not be flown adjacent to or above a nuclear power plant‚ prison‚ police station‚ crime scene‚ court of law‚ national key point or strategic installation.
In addition‚ drones cannot be flown directly overhead any person or group of people or within a lateral distance of 50m from any person.
The Civil Aviation Authority warned that “failure to adhere to the applicable civil aviation regulations could result in a 10-year prison sentence or a fine of R50 000 or both”.
The authority has a comprehensive list of do’s and don’ts when it comes to recreational or commercial piloting of drones. Peruse the rules in detail at http://www.caa.co.za/Pages/RPAS/Remotely%20Piloted%20Aircraft%20Systems.aspx
Earlier this year a study from Juniper Research predicted that global commercial drone sales would increase by 84% in 2016 and that sales would reach $481 million (R8 billion)‚ a significant increase from the 2015 figure of $261 million (R4 billion.)
The study found that lower prices for drones had reduced the “barrier to entry in many sectors”‚ with high-performance models now available for less than $3 000 (R42 000).
Drones are now used for various types of commercial and non-commercial activities such as conservation assignments‚ aerial surveillance‚ scientific research‚ journalism and recreational purposes.
According to the Drone World website‚ the Phantom 3 Advanced model‚ combined with a hard-shell backpack‚ goggles and a cinematic headset‚ costs just over R26 000. This particular model can give its pilot a rage of up to 2km.
The Parrot Disco model‚ which goes for about R25 000‚ can travel up to 80km an hour with a fly time of up to 45 minutes.
The Ghostdrone 2.0‚ which costs about R7 000‚ has full autopilot control or can be flown directly via a cell phone‚ with a flying time of up to 25 minutes.
Those with very deep pockets could invest in the sophisticated and powerful Freefly Systems ALTA 8. After parting with slightly more than R250 000‚ it can effortlessly drag its new owner across the ocean in a new sport known as “dronesurfing”.
— TMG Digital
Drone sales soar but ignoring rules will clip your wings
Drone sales are taking off so here’s a recap of how not to fly into trouble before you splash out on one of the gadgets.
Beware. Recreational flying over your neighbour’s house‚ crime scene or even near to a police station could land you in a lot of trouble.
A safety officer at Koeberg nuclear power station in Cape Town was suspended after a drone that crashed on the site – a national key point — was returned to its owner without a thorough investigation being completed.
Nobody is allowed under the current rules to operate a drone for commercial‚ corporate‚ or non-profit purposes unless they have a valid remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS or drone) operator certificate.
Recreational users of drones are not required to undergo the same certification process‚ provided that they receive no favours or any form of financial gain in exchange for flying.
“It is important to note that an RPAS (drone) pilot has the responsibility to ensure that the aircraft operate safely and does not endanger the safety of another aircraft‚ person‚ property‚ nor invade on the privacy and security of any other member of the public‚” say the rules. “The RPAS pilot must observe all statutory requirements relating to liability‚ privacy‚ and any other laws enforceable by other institutions.”
Some of the regulations stipulate that drones may not be flown adjacent to or above a nuclear power plant‚ prison‚ police station‚ crime scene‚ court of law‚ national key point or strategic installation.
In addition‚ drones cannot be flown directly overhead any person or group of people or within a lateral distance of 50m from any person.
The Civil Aviation Authority warned that “failure to adhere to the applicable civil aviation regulations could result in a 10-year prison sentence or a fine of R50 000 or both”.
The authority has a comprehensive list of do’s and don’ts when it comes to recreational or commercial piloting of drones. Peruse the rules in detail at http://www.caa.co.za/Pages/RPAS/Remotely%20Piloted%20Aircraft%20Systems.aspx
Earlier this year a study from Juniper Research predicted that global commercial drone sales would increase by 84% in 2016 and that sales would reach $481 million (R8 billion)‚ a significant increase from the 2015 figure of $261 million (R4 billion.)
The study found that lower prices for drones had reduced the “barrier to entry in many sectors”‚ with high-performance models now available for less than $3 000 (R42 000).
Drones are now used for various types of commercial and non-commercial activities such as conservation assignments‚ aerial surveillance‚ scientific research‚ journalism and recreational purposes.
According to the Drone World website‚ the Phantom 3 Advanced model‚ combined with a hard-shell backpack‚ goggles and a cinematic headset‚ costs just over R26 000. This particular model can give its pilot a rage of up to 2km.
The Parrot Disco model‚ which goes for about R25 000‚ can travel up to 80km an hour with a fly time of up to 45 minutes.
The Ghostdrone 2.0‚ which costs about R7 000‚ has full autopilot control or can be flown directly via a cell phone‚ with a flying time of up to 25 minutes.
Those with very deep pockets could invest in the sophisticated and powerful Freefly Systems ALTA 8. After parting with slightly more than R250 000‚ it can effortlessly drag its new owner across the ocean in a new sport known as “dronesurfing”.
— TMG Digital
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