MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The illegal use of a drone during the fires that raged in the Hartenbos Heights area on Monday almost had dire consequences.
Several residents reported the drone being used in the area while helicopters were waterbombing the flames.
"It is unthinkable that anyone would use a drone in the swirling and strong wind at the time of the fire, but to use it so close to where aircraft were being used in an emergency situation was unthinkable," a shocked resident said.
The municipal manager, Advocate Thys Giliomee, confirmed that complaints were received about the illegal use of a drone. The municipal director of community services, Elize Nel, reminds residents that it is illegal to deploy a drone in areas where emergency rescue operations are taking place.
"Drones may only be used by law enforcement agencies during emergency rescue operations. That drone could have caused one of the helicopters or the spotter aeroplane to crash," Nel said.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) specifically advises, that unless approved by the SACAA, "remotely piloted aircraft" (RPAS) should not be used:
- near manned aircraft;
- 10km or closer to an aerodrome (airport, helipad, airfield);
- if they weigh more than 7kg
- in a controlled airspace
- in a restricted airspace, or
- in a prohibited airspace.
In May 2017 an article by Linda Sparg in the Mossel Bay Advertiser quoted John Boucher, then chairman of the Microlight and Light Sport Aeroplane Association of South Africa, saying: "You cannot fly drones legally in Mossel Bay."
Boucher said most of the neighbourhoods were within 10km of the Mossel Bay airfield. The article also warned operators to steer clear from "no flying zones" such as the Mossel Bay harbour area, where not even commercial airline craft were allowed.
"There are people that are legally commercially active with their drones. For them, the rules are more stringent than for recreational users - almost the same as for pilots," Boucher said.
Drones are also not allowed near popular tourist attractions such as Table Mountain, specifically to prevent their interference with rescue operations.
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