Don’t get caught out by drone laws

PILOT IN KRUGER PARK GETS LIFETIME BAN Licensed operators must be equipped with knowledge, flight and safety skills.

Arecent article about a Kruger National Park (KNP) day visitor flying a drone in the region, published in the Letaba Herald, has highlighted the need to reiterate the importance of adhering to drone laws in South Africa.

The day visitor, who flew his drone over a troop of baboons in the Letaba Rest Camp region in the KNP, was detained by South African Police Service (Saps) as he was exiting the park.

His drone was spotted by other visitors, who took photographs and called Karien Keet, section manager of Phalaborwa, who called security officers to approach the visitor, driving a blue Audi, at the gate.

The visitor has now incurred a lifetime ban from the KNP.

This could have been avoided had the visitor adhered to permit rules and familiarised himself with the ban of drones in the park, as well as drone laws in general.

Kruger Park media specialist Ike Phaahla explained that apart from the illegality of flying drones in any national park, visitors getting out of their vehicles and disturbing wildlife were serious issues as well.

“Not only is this a contravention of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, but there are also restrictions in terms of the aerial filming rights and, therefore an infringement of SANParks’ filming/photography Graphic: Costa Mokola policy.” But drone laws are more complex and confusing than being banned at national parks, something people ought to realise, especially in light of the amount of poaching in most national parks throughout the country.

The Citizen consulted drone laws in South Africa and here are some key points:

According to outdoor tech company Action Gear, certain laws set up for remotely piloted aircraft mean that you are choosing to operate your drone either for private use, under hobby laws, or for commercial use.

These laws imply that individuals may only use drones for personal or private use, with no commercial outcome, interest or gain whatsoever.

There are restrictions in terms of filming rights.

Drones are not permitted to fly within 10km of an airport, helipad or airstrip;

They must be operated in daylight, in clear weather conditions;

Drones may not be operated when intoxicated; and

They may not be flown within 50m of any person, property or public road.

Drone enthusiasts must obtain a remote pilot’s licence, a crucial step in ensuring that they are equipped with knowledge, flight skills and safety skills needed to fly drones safely and legally.

Commercial drones require additional certifications and exams, as well as a remote operator’s certificate from the South African Civil Aviation Authority. –