Drone usage worrying Kiwi pilots

Pilots operating out of the Kaiko¯ ura airfield are increasingly concerned about having to share their airspace with drones.

Air Kaiko¯ ura’s Murray Hamilton said the number of close calls in mid-air was becoming scary.

‘‘We had one really, really close call with a helicopter,’’ he said. ‘‘A big drone went right between his rotor blades and his skid. [The pilot] managed to land the helicopter but it was very close.’’

Hamilton had also encountered drones from his plane near the top of Mt Fyffe, and said it was no coincidence that there was an increasing amount of drone footage online from around Kaiko¯ ura.

Of grave concern was the number of people flying so close to the airfield, many of whom were visitors to the nearby campground or beach, potentially unaware the airstrip was even there.

Hamilton urged local retailers, if they had to sell drones at all, to be vigilant and advise customers of the dangers and rules.

He called on the council to install signage where people should not be flying drones.

A Kaiko¯ura District Council spokeswoman said signs for a few key areas were being worked on.

Information about where drones could be flown was also available in the airport section on the council website.

The same information had also been shared on the council’s Facebook page, newsletters and community noticeboard to attempt to educate drone users, she said.

Under New Zealand’s Civil Aviation rules, drones must not be flown within 4 kilometres of a helipad or airport unless they are flying below tree heights (shielded) or with express permission from aerodrome operators.

Kaiko¯ ura has three sites that fall into this category – the airport, hospital and Whale Watch – essentially meaning there should be no drones flying anywhere at Peketa, South Bay or on the peninsula. There are specific rules about drone use near wildlife, and flying on any Department of Conservation land requires DOC authorisation.

Because drones are considered aircraft, they are subject to Civil Aviation Authority’s rules and regulations, which are listed on the CAA website and include the operator having to be in visual sight of the drone (not via smartphone), and not fly higher than 120m above ground level.