Thursday, 13 August 2015 12:52

Rules tighten on drone use

Written by 

Drones’ (UAV) rising popularity has pointed to an inevitable tightening of the rules for their use as they evolve from remote control helicopters to sophisticated work platforms – especially in farming.

This falls to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which until recently had in place Part 101 rules that gave guidelines for safe operation: a maximum operating ceiling of 400ft, flying only during daylight hours and within line of sight, and staying clear of other aircraft, people and property. 

There were also ‘no-fly’ zones such as military areas, schools or within 4km of airports.

As the uses of UAVs have expanded, new rules applied from August 1 to enable operators to move outside the remit of Part 101 while maintaining safety standards.

Part 102 requires operators be certified by the CAA and demonstrate they can identify potential hazards while operating, and maintain the highest safety standards achievable. 

The CAA will look case by case at each applicant’s request to operate outside Rule 101 as the requirements of, say, a Southland farmer wanting to fly over his property after dark will be totally different from a filmmaker wanting to fly over downtown Auckland during the day. 

The CAA also recommends talking to landowners about the right to fly over their property, always better with mutual agreement. But if it is not granted, a proposal under Part 102 can be looked at by the CAA.

Steve Moore, general manager aviation for the CAA, comments, “the new Part 102 rule will give operators a much greater freedom to fly their machines and ensure the highest standards of aviation are met”.

More like this

The sky is the limit at Felton Road

Felton Road Wines is using an electric drone sprayer to apply organic fungicides and monitor crops, cutting emissions and transforming management.

Got $1.5m for a bit of spraying?

While we are seeing more and more drones being used in New Zealand agriculture, we’re some way behind the US, where in places like the Midwest, the drones are certainly bigger than Texas.

Broadacre drone spraying on the rise

As drones get bigger, broadacre applications like arable spraying will become more common, says the Canterburybased founder of Drone Spray, Jono Scott.

Birds' Eye: Drone surveillance in vineyards

The unique attributes offered by vertical take-off and landing drones are transforming a range of civilian roles, from firefighting to traffic monitoring and now vineyard management.

Featured

National

Machinery & Products

Farming smarter with technology

The National Fieldays is an annual fixture in the farming calendar: it draws in thousands of farmers, contractors, and industry…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

110,000 visitors!

OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.

Sticky situation

OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter