Training to operate drones
Sponsor a boost for college’s operators
Two Paraparaumu College students are training to be qualified as drone operators, thanks to sponsorship from drone instructor Ryan Groves.
Niraj Gandhi and Luke Bayne, who received sponsorship worth $680 each, are members of the college’s Robotics Club.
One of the club’s projects is the construction of a large drone supported by a $2000 grant from the Royal New Zealand Navy.
“I was completely blown away when I was shown what these kids were doing building a drone.
“The course they took has taught them a range of serious skills including drone laws and the safe use of drones,” Ryan said. The Civil Aviation Authority is putting greater emphasis on increasing public education on the safe use of drones.
The course was held at Kapiti Coast Airport.
Chief executive Robert Binney said the airport supports initiatives that raise awareness of the risks of operating drones, especially close to aviation environment.
“Kapiti Coast Airport is a busy place with both commercial and recreational aircraft occupying the airspace on any given day. Keeping people safe is our number one priority and we encourage drone operators to make themselves familiar with the rules and risks associated with operating drones in the vicinity of the airport.”
Mayor K Gurunathan, patron of the Robotics Club, arranged for the sponsorship. He said safety is an increasingly serious issue, with CAA figures showing the sale of 260,000 drones last year and a projected 380,000 this year.
“Kids as young as nine or younger can buy these machines off the shelves of local stores without any knowledge of how to use drones safely. Locals need to be aware we have an airport and it’s illegal to fly drones within 4km of the airport without permission.”