Air NZ disturbed by ‘reckless use of drones’

A drone had a near miss with a commercial flight in controlled airspace above Christchurch last night.

The pilot of an Air New Zealand A320, with 166 passengers on board, reported sighting a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System flying in controlled air space north of Christchurch at about 5:45pm last night.

Civil Aviation Authority director Graeme Harris said a safety investigation was underway.

He said the pilot of the A320 contacted air traffic control to report a “sizeable” red drone which passed close to his aircraft at an altitude of approximately 6,000 feet near Kaiapoi.

The plane was climbing out of Christchurch enroute to Auckland.

Mr Harris said the incident was technically a “near miss” but raised significant safety concerns.

“We are very concerned that an RPAS pilot appears to have allowed their aircraft to fly in such close proximity to a passenger aircraft,” he said.

“The RPAS should not have been anywhere near the Jet. It simply shouldn’t have been in that airspace,” Harris said.

“We have to assume that this RPAS pilot was unaware of the rules regarding flying unmanned aircraft. While RPAS technology is advancing quickly and offers some very significant benefits to a range of industries it can pose a threat to conventional aviation activities and this must be carefully managed.”

Transport minister Simon Bridges said the incident was being treated seriously.

“While this reporting is concerning, I am satisfied that it is being investigated fully, with urgency, and is being treated very seriously,” Mr Bridges said.

A new civil aviation rule for RPAS, which came into effect on August 1, requires anyone who wants to fly a RPAS beyond what is allowed for traditional model aircraft – such as at night, beyond line of sight or above 400 feet – to apply for certification from the CAA.

“Unsafe RPAS flights are unlawful and will be dealt with accordingly,” said Mr Bridges.

CAA investigators are working locate the RPAS operator.

In a statement Air New Zealand said it was disturbed by the “emerging trend of a reckless use of drones that puts the safety of customers and staff at risk”.

Captain David Morgan said the airline will support any moves by authorities to ensure drone operations do not compromise the integrity of airline operations.

“Last night our customers and staff were put at risk as one of our aircraft departed Christchurch airport,” he said.

“What our pilot believed to be a drone was being operated in and around the flight path but was fortunately spotted by our pilots who ensured the aircraft avoided it. This was reckless behaviour by the drone operator who has so far not had the courage to come forward and address their behaviour with authorities.”

Captain Morgan said the safety of his airline’s customers and crew was non-negotiable.

“Drones are an emerging issue for airline operators and clearly incidents involving drones are a cause for concern,” he said.

“We welcome the prompt CAA response and investigation into the incident, support the authorities taking action against anyone who can be identified and encourage stricter industry regulation governing the operation of drones.”

Under CAA rules, RPAS must not fly above 120 metres unless certain conditions are met, the craft must weigh less than 25 kilograms and it can only be flown during daylight hours.

RPAS operators must also be able to see their craft at all times and are restricted from flying in controlled airspace without the approval of air traffic control.

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