Up in the Air: Using your drone
The use of drones is no longer limited to government agencies, technical gurus or the super wealthy. The market has been flooded with drones that are reasonably priced and are easy to use. These high-tech pieces of equipment are, however, bound by Civil Aviation Rules. In this article, we explore what rules there are around their use.
Drone technology allows a pilot to film and photograph from the sky allowing an aerial view that was once only available through the use of planes, helicopters or satellites. More and more businesses are using drone technology to assist them. Drones have been used in the agricultural sector to aid crop and stock inspection and, in August last year, Domino’s Pizza successfully delivered a pizza by drone.
CAA Rules
Following the increase in availability for personal use, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued rules regarding the piloting of drones in an attempt to ensure procedures are followed to minimise any risk to the public.
Civil Aviation Rules (Part 101) have provisions that must be adhered to when piloting a drone that is under 25 kgs. Any drone weighing more than 25 kgs requires a certification from the CAA. Most commercial drones, however, weigh less than 25 kg.
Where can you fly a drone?
A pilot may only fly a drone during the day, no higher than 120 metres (400 feet) and must always ensure the drone is within their line of sight without the aid of any visual tools such as a virtual reality headset. The drone pilot must gain the consent of any person over whom the drone flies. Likewise, the pilot must gain the consent of the owner of any private land over which the drone flies.
The New Zealand Transport Agency doesn’t allow drones to fly over any of the 11,000 km of state highways due to their potential to distract drivers and cause accidents.
Public property such as parks are often the best place to fly drones. However, each of the country’s local authorities has the discretion to set its own policies and bylaws in relation to the use of drones over council-owned land. Some councils adopt a blanket consent approach to the use of drones over their property. This, however, may be subject to more specific rules issued by the particular council. Pilots should be fully aware of any rules or regulations that they would be subject to flying in a particular area.
It should be noted that the rules for drones also apply to pilots of remotely controlled model planes.
Privacy issues
Drones fitted with recording devices do cause concern on issues surrounding privacy. Any complaints surrounding the intrusion of drones over private property without consent, or a breach of the Civil Aviation Rules, should be addressed to the Privacy Commissioner or the CAA.
Shooting down any drone that’s hovering over your property would constitute any number of offences under the Summary Offences Act 1981, the Crimes Act 1961 and the Arms Act 1983.
Penalties
There have been multiple instances of the CAA issuing fines ranging between $500 and $1,000 for not complying with Part 101 of the Rules. The CAA has even successfully prosecuted a man in the District Court. He was found guilty of causing unnecessary endangerment and flying in a controlled airspace without permission when the pilot filmed a rural fire from his drone within close proximity to a helicopter.
Pilots are also at risk of prosecution under the Privacy Act 1993 and the Crimes Act 1961 for using their drones to record information in a way that is illegal. Pilots may also face a private prosecution by the victim for an invasion of their privacy.
Drones can be an excellent way to help your business, as well as being a great deal of fun. Before becoming airborne, however, make sure you know the rules and you are mindful of privacy issues.
You can find more information on operating drones at www.airshare.co.nz... or www.caa.govt.nz...
Kalle
"Sports and travelling run in the family, and that's kind of what's led me to come to New Zealand."
"I grew up in a small town in Finland. My dad was involved with sports all his life, he was a shot putter, discus thrower, powerlifter, we traveled quite a bit when I was a kid. He never mentioned much of the rugby days. He just said he broke both of his shin bones playing rugby, so he said, ‘never play the sport, It's crazy.’
I started playing when I was 18. I played my first cap for the Finnish national team in 2014, we won the Finnish championship with my club. Rugby is not a big thing in Finland.
I moved here to play rugby in 2017. The club that wanted me to come over was Methven Rugby Club. They got me here and they were like, ‘what do you do for work? I’d just finished chef school in Finland. ‘We'll get you a job at Mount Hutt as a chef, you can do that while you play rugby with us.’ I said, ‘Perfect. Yeah, I'm in’.
I've always loved food. My mum was an amazing cook, and still is. When I was studying tourism I worked in some hotels in Finland, and I saw how the chef's worked. I just loved the kitchen vibe and I was like, Yeah, that’d be something I'd love to do.
I've had more of a culinary journey In New Zealand than in Finland. I started at Mount Hutt, after that I worked at The Dubliner in Methven. I worked as a senior pizza chef at Sal’s for maybe six months then worked as chef de partie at Cellar Door. At Eliza's Manor, I worked myself up to a junior sous chef. Then the opportunity came to work my first head chef job at Moon Under Water.
We're privileged to have a busy atmosphere, we can try new things and get a bit creative. There are no TV’s, just come here with your family or with your mates, play board games, to socialise.
I really want to drive the local food and ingredients through the menu. We don't mind spending more for quality ingredients as long as it's supporting New Zealand businesses. We just love to use local. And it's pub food, but I feel like it's elevated.
I play club rugby here for the Christchurch Football Club, the oldest club in New Zealand and I still play regularly for the Finnish national team, whenever they can fly me over to play."
- Kalle
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
Poll: Is it okay to grocery shop in your PJs?
I'm sure you've seen it while doing your weekly shop... In fact, it may have even been you.
What do you think about people heading to the supermarket in their pyjamas?
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14.3% It's fine!
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75.1% It's questionable
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10.6% Other - I'll share below
Vanessa
“Giggly girt! Giggly girt!”
“See I got my hair cut on Friday. I've got my hair band to keep it up. See? Like this I keep it up.
Biscuit Blair - she's my favourite woman. And you. And that cheeky lady over there.
My last name is Rule. I'll write it down for you, you silly old duff.
I was born on West Coast. I moved here when I was a little girl.
I like doing pictures here that’s why I like pictures. Doing art. I like going for a walk. I come here Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.
My sister, I go see her on Saturday. Have a cup of coffee, at home. She's five, nine. 59. I'm five, seven, 57. This year I'll be 58. My birthday's on a Thursday. I'm having chocolate cake and pizza. And lolly ice cream.
Some people are noisy. Nicholas, and Peter and Chris, they are my friends and that giggly girt over there.
I get headache sometimes at other work, because noisy.
I'm happy here. I could go for a walk if I want to. I'm good.”
- Vanessa, White Room Creative Spaces
The White Room is a community creative space that removes barriers to
making art. Through this, artists build confidence and connections and
embrace new opportunities.
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