Make sure they’re cleared for takeoff

WITH Christmas fast approaching, parents may be thinking about buying a drone for a family member.

While these drones may seem like any other toy, you need to be aware that there are strict rules in relation to flying recreational drones.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has designed these rules to protect other people in the air as well as on the ground.

You must not fly your drone in a way that creates a hazard to another aircraft, person or property, so follow the rules every time you fly.

If your remotely piloted aircraft weighs 150kg or less, and is used for sport or recreational purposes, then you need to be aware of the following rules:

You must not fly higher than 120m above the ground.

You must not fly over or near an area affecting public safety or where emergency operations are under way (without prior approval) such as a car crash, police operations, a fire or search and rescue operations.

You must not fly within 30m of people, unless the other person is part of controlling or navigating the drone.

You must not fly over or above people. This could include festivals, sporting ovals, populated beaches, parks, busy roads and footpaths.

You must fly only one drone at a time.

You must only fly during the day and keep your drone within visual line-of sight. This means being able to orientate, navigate and see the aircraft with your own eyes at all times (rather than through a device; for example, through goggles or on a video screen).

Respect personal privacy. Do not record or photograph people without their consent as this may breach state laws.

These rules do not apply to all drone flyers.

If you hold a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) and operate according to a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operator Certificate (ReOC) or have an authorisation from CASA, you will be exempt.