Privacy and safety concerns relating to drone flight continue to be an issue in the Eurobodalla.
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The latest incident occurred on Monday, February 5 when a Tilba resident, who did not wish to be named, said her privacy was invaded.
She said a drone flew overhead when she was in her garden. A rental van parked near her driveway subsequently drove off.
She chased down the van, stopped it on the road into Tilba and spoke to the young foreign couple inside.
They initially denied any connection to the drone, but then admitted it was theirs and agreed to delete any footage, at the resident’s demand.
The resident gave the registration number of the van to police, who agreed to follow it up and issue a “stern warning” to the couple.
She said she felt her privacy had been invaded and wanted the issue brought out into the light.
The Narooma News recently published drone footage on its social media sites and website, which generated comments from other drone operators concerned about the safety and legality.
Their concerns ranged from flying over the busy Princes Highway, busy beaches and close to marine mammals, such as seals.
The operator who captured the footage said he did not believe he had done anything illegal and had used the “Can I Fly There?” app, which was developed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
“I didn’t put any lives in danger, I always had line of sight and I don’t think I flew in the National Park," he said.
An article in October 2016 covered the issue of new regulations for operators of drones introduced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
If you are flying for any form of economic gain, you need to have an RPA (remotely piloted aircraft) operator’s certificate, or if you're flying a drone weighing less than two kilograms, simply notify CASA.
Licensed drone operator Ian Edwards, of South Coast Drones urges any recreational drone operator to check out the CASA regulations and to fly only in open areas away from people.
“Use common sense and don’t fly over people’s backyard and take footage, because they invariably will feel like their privacy has been invaded,” Mr Edwards said.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority sets out the rules for drone flying on its website.
Stan Gorton
Stan Gorton
Walkley-nominated journalist based at The Islander on Kangaroo Island with an interest in the local community and the environment.
Walkley-nominated journalist based at The Islander on Kangaroo Island with an interest in the local community and the environment.
