Demand for drone permits growing fast in SA
Licensing authority fields requests from sectors including conservation, security and journalism
The SA Civil Aviation Authority (Sacaa) has licensed nearly 500 drones that are in demand for use in conservation assignments, aerial surveillance, scientific research and journalism, among others.
Sacaa’s Kabelo Ledwaba said it was not surprising that there were municipalities that are interested in using drones, known officially as remotely piloted aircraft. He said Sacaa had received inquiries from Tshwane Metro Police (TMP) and the City of Cape Town for licenses.
On Monday, Sowetan reported that TMP wanted to use drones to augment its airborne law enforcement operations. However, the plans have been delayed by the R2-billion deficit the country’s largest municipality incurred in 2015/2016.
Since regulating drones in July 2015, the authority has registered 494 drones and issued 471 drone pilot’s licences and has received positive feedback from those keen to fly drones legally. Ledwaba said Sacaa had not yet granted any municipality or municipal agency a licence or operator certificate to operate drones.
Sacaa has warned that since drones use the same airspace that was in the past restricted for helicopters and other forms of aircraft, they should be integrated into the existing and highly-organised manned aviation sector in a manner that does not present a risk to other airspace users, property or people on the ground.
“It is thus important that individuals operating remotely piloted aircraft do so in line with regulatory permits and licences as well as their own capabilities and that of the aircraft,” said Ledwaba.
He added that applying simple but critical airmanship principles will ensure that drones do not compromise the safety of citizens, or other aircraft, or property.
Shortly after the February 2016 Lily Mine disaster in Barberton, where three mineworkers were trapped, an international news outlet flew a drone over the area but were forced to stop by mine security.