The Civil Aviation Authority is assessing the flight of a drone that hovered close to the top of Auckland’s Sky Tower to capture the spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks footage.
A Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) spokesperson said the authority had received multiple reports regarding drone footage taken in Auckland on December 31.
It was now assessing the information and the next steps would be determined in the coming days.
“Civil Aviation Rules prohibit flying over people or property without consent, at night, within 4km of an aerodrome, or higher than 120m from the ground,” the spokesperson said.
The footage, shot at night, shows New Year’s Eve in Auckland’s CBD from above and flies over multiple properties and appears to be higher than 120m from the ground.
“If a drone operator is certificated under Civil Aviation Rule part 102 some of these restrictions may not apply,” the spokesperson said.
People called out the drone operator online, questioning whether they had official clearance to fly in the area.
“How did anyone get permission to fly over all those people, fly within four Kms of two heliports, and at night?” said one Reddit user.
“If this person doesn’t have full certification and part 102 he needs to be talking to a lawyer.”
“Of all the dangerous illegal things you can do with a drone this was spectacular,” said another.
“What an idiot, multiple flights on his channel illegally flying around Auckland. Filed a report with the CAA, good luck to him.”
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