FLYING OF DRONES

Notice 2016 No 16.

FLYING OF DRONES WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE SUMMERWOOD VILLAGE

1. The Association’s Management Committee at their meeting on 24 August 2016 was informed of the fact that a resident who was flying a drone from within the Thatchwood Crescent park had lost the equipment due to it having been flown beyond its control distance.
2. A drone, or quad-copter, is an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) which is controlled from an operator on the ground. From the photograph above it can be seen that a drone in the majority of cases is driven by propellers which receive their power from four engines.
3. The problem is whether the UAS being flown is classified as a toy or a commercial drone. The difference between a radio controlled or model aircraft (used as a toy), and a drone has not been defined by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. The South African authority in this regard has suggested that if the aircraft is being used solely for recreational or sport purposes, then it would most likely be regarded as a toy and its use would be legal. However, if the aircraft is used for commercial purposes, professional or aerial work, then it would likely be classified as a drone and the flying thereof would be regulated by the South African Civil Aviation Authority.
4. The Committee considered it important in view of factors such as safety, security and the infringement of privacy, to source more information in respect of the flying of drones in a built-up area such as Summerwood. In this regard a resident of the village who is an operator of model aircraft, the Chairman of the Tygerberg Model Flying Club and that of the S A Aeromodelling Association were consulted for an opinion on the matter. In spite of the existing guidelines and the need to understand that when flying a drone it is the operator’s responsibility to understand and abide by the rules which generally are:

• flying only under 120 metres,
• no flying within 4,2 nautical miles of an airport ,
• flying only in line of sight of the operator, viz. 500 metres, and
• no flying over residences, public property and adjoining roads without permission, the advice generally was to prohibit the flying of these aircraft, whether they be toys or commercial models.

5. In view of the advice which was received, the Committee resolved that the flying of drones in the confines of the Summerwood village is to be prohibited forthwith. Should problems arise in this regard, the Committee would amend the Conduct Rules in order to give effect to the resolution.