New rules on drones to be unveiled
New rules covering drones — which are disrupting areas from movie making to search and rescue — will be unveiled tomorrow.
Existing rules were designed to cover model aircraft but the proliferation of affordable drones has forced a rethink in this country that is promoting itself as a test bed for international operators.
Earlier this year Airways NZ was getting about 70 applications a week to fly them, with about 50 in controlled air space. “The rules will enable operators to take advantage of new opportunities, while providing safety for other airspace users, people and property on the ground,” the Civil Aviation Authority said.
The announcement comes a day before Callaghan Innovation’s unveiling of the six finalists in its C-Prize drone competition.
The grand prize winner — to be announced in December — will receive $50,000 as well as an expenses-paid trip to exhibit at the 2016 National Association of Broadcasters trade show in Las Vegas, the largest international trade show for media content and technology.
Callaghan’s aviation sector manager Chris Thomson said the technology was not only revolutionary but its impact on sectors including film-making and agriculture was disruptive.
Farmers were now able to get accurate information on the state of their land and crops.
“In the film industry there are amazing aerial shots that only the big budget films used to have,” Thomson said. Rather than opposing drone use, helicopter operators saw them as another tool and were using them.
“The smart operators are getting on board,” he said.
During the past two months there had been approaches from three companies wanting to trial technology here. He said the open regime, comparatively flat bureaucracy and lack of demand for military airspace helped make New Zealand attractive as a test bed.