Cowboy drone operators fly the aircraft illegally crossing into protected airspace and smashing into homes, vehicles and people
STEPHANIE BEDO & SHAE JOHNSON
COWBOY drone operators are operating without licences and crossing into protected airspace with some crashing their unmanned aerial vehicles into neighbouring properties.
With more production companies, advertising agencies and real estate groups using drone technology to film for videos, certified operators say it has opened the way for “cowboy” cameramen to get in on the action.
Drone footage can be found online where people have filmed Snapper Rocks despite being within three nautical miles of the Gold Coast Airport which is illegal under aviation law.
Unlicensed drone operators risk hefty fines from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority if they get caught but cinematographer Anthony Shorten, of Aerial Advantage, said the authority could do more to police it.
“Unfortunately CASA has limited power to be able to police it and they seem to spend more time policing certified people than proactively getting illegal operators,” he said.
“There are illegal guys out there doing commercial work and undercutting the legal operators because the public don’t know what’s required.”
A pilot’s licence is required to commercially operate a remotely piloted aircraft.
Platinum Drones owner Greg Weatherall said that hadn’t stopped amateurs jumping into the industry and causing problems for real estate agencies.
Mr Weatherall has heard horror stories of drones crashing through windows and causing damage to neighbouring properties.
