New rules set to control drone use

EXEMPTIONS: Masterton drone operator Toby Mills says it makes sense that hobbyists cannot fly wherever they want under new regulations. PHOTO/FILE

Hobby drone operators will soon be unable to fly over private property without permission, but professionals may be exempt.

From August 1, new civil aviation rules will mean operators will need consent from a property owner before they fly over it.

Existing rules allow anyone to operate a drone, as long as they observe simple safety precautions.

These include flying below 120 metres, flying only during daylight, flying within line of sight and not within 4km of an airfield.

A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said the rules did not "specifically consider privacy" and were created to aid safety.

Masterton cameraman and drone operator Toby Mills said certified users could apply for exemptions, if they were tasked with a contract that required them to go near or fly over adjacent properties.

That would mean a professional user would most likely not have to apply for permission to fly over every property in the drone's path, he said.

"If a rule like that applied to all users, that kind of technology would never even get off the ground." It was easy to think of scenarios where that kind of rule might be impractical for commercial users.

An example was being commissioned to take real estate photos of a property that had 20 bordering properties the drone might accidentally fly over.

"Getting permission from 20 property owners is not really practical or necessary."

But for a hobbyist, it made sense that they probably should not be able to fly anywhere they wanted, he said.

"Especially if they have no maintenance schedule or documentation to support the safety of the aircraft."

Mr Mills said it was important to state that the new rule had absolutely nothing to do with privacy and was 100 per cent a safety consideration.

"Any privacy abuse from drones is covered under our existing privacy laws."

Featherston cameraman and drone operator Deane Cronin said he thought the new rule was a good idea.

"It means you are following the best procedures and you're making sure people's properties are safe."

"Introducing the rule is a great way to create some regulations, so people who are operating the drone do so in the best manner."

Mr Cronin said the change probably would not have a big impact on his work, because he already notified adjoining properties before his flights.

"I don't think it will affect what I do and, if anything, it will help."

He said if he had to make an emergency landing on a notified property it would make collecting equipment and checking for property damage more efficient .

It would also make the public more aware of the technology and showcase what people in the industry were doing, he said.

Drones are used in several sectors, from agriculture and film and video production to real estate, and can be bought over the counter or the internet for as little as $300.

The CAA said a fine or warning was the likely result of rule breaches. NZME.