To get our new Drone forum underway, here is a link to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's website on Drones in Australia.
We just need a few posts now to share some photos or information.
Interesting. I followed the links and checked it out, but all it did was convince me that it's all too tightly controlled. I can understand that, but by the same token unless you live or travel to the country, then you're very restricted. Personally, I like the shots of suburbia from the air, but that's a bit of a no-no.
Photographing people anywhere is getting to be a real issue. Looks like it's back to photographing other stuff instead - spending money on a drone I can't use all that often isn't money well spent in my book.
Thanks for the links though ...... it confirmed what I thought would be the case.
Usual common-sense applies, I suppose.
They don't want drones causing injury, or damage to aircraft, or to intrude on people's right to privacy.
Photographing people anywhere is getting to be a real issue.
As consumer drones legally must be flown within your line of sight, it's not too hard to land if an aircraft pops up in the distance.
Controlled airports with a manned tower like Essendon are totally no fly zones within 5.5 KM while the airport is operating.
Casa "suggesting" not photographing people is a strange addition as what will they look like from 120 metres up in the sky and from outside the 30 metres clearance rule, horizontally from people.
I live in Queensland where National Parks are mostly ok to fly over without paying fees or permissions..
I think there is a lot of paranoia about drones as there is about anything new and topical. Just look at the shark sightings. Photographing people as mentioned above is an example. You can actually get a "stealth" shot of a neighbour from inside your own property with a long lens far easier that yoou can with a drone. Another example is that I have a house in a private estate at the Bunya Mountains. The Body Corporate have banned drones (they have no jurisdiction to do that) on the basis that if the Rescue Helicopter had to land it may hit a drone. I know you cannot legislate for stupidity so responsible people get grouped with the idiots once again.
I guess the other thing is the hypocrisy in drone flights. I live in northern NSW and have an App on my phone. It states that I cannot fly within the Ballina Airport flight path - which is very reasonable. The problem is that I should be able to fly at Boulder Beach below the sliff or Norfolk Island pine tree line as if my drone was going to hit a plane, the cliff or the tree would be a greater problem than my drone. Secondly, there are limited flights in and out of the airport. The shark spotting drone and helicopter fly up and down the beach in the flight path.
On saying that there is nothing more common than the lack of common sense.
I will say it has been weeks since the drone has seen daylight as with wind, rain and flight restrictions, it is hard to get some air under the blades.
I must say I marvel at the concept of drones delivering parcels and pizzas based on the rules and regulations required.
Last edited by markdphotography; 18-12-2018 at 9:48pm.
My kids were going to buy me a drone for Christmas. I told them not to bother .... it would have spent its life sitting in a cupboard, only to be removed when they went through my stuff after I died !
I guess the silly thing is the people rule,certainly should not be flying over Westfield Doncaster as it may hit warp speed and crash through the building or slice some Christmas shoppers in half?
Last edited by markdphotography; 18-12-2018 at 9:57pm.
I guess the sillything is the people rule,certainly should not be flying over Westfield Doncaster at it may hit warp speed and crash through the building or slice some Christmas shoppers in half?
I remeber one morning early I had the drone up at The Pass in Byron Bay. A very well informed fiherman got out of his tinnie and came over to me and told me I should not be flying my drone over people. Two things were wrong - firstly there was a greater chance of him hitting a surfer with his outboard prop or his tinnie as he threaded the needle when coming back in (or even on the way out). There was less people on the beach than there was surfers in the water he just came through. Secondly while he was lecturing and arguing with me, I was not watching the drone. I know a local professional and he launches his drone in the bush and hides so people cannot annoy the crap out of him and ask"are you flying a drone?"
I have a Mavic Pro and there are only 5 rules I need to bother with here in Mandurah WA.
I don't find this at all restrictive and really enjoy my drone flying experience.
Agreed Mark, the sixth rule which is actually basic common sense. Trouble its not very common.
I have seen the extremes of operators at two car shows I have attended. The first was a commercial operation I would think. They had a temporary fence around their fly zone and just took the drone straight up in a cleared area. I saw the resulting images and obviously the brief was to photograph all of the cars on show from great height.
The second was clearly a hobbyist. He was flying his drone as low as 2 metres above people. Also he was flying above some very expensive and unique custom vehicles.
Shame that CASA doesn't appear to be concerned about light aircraft flying over our houses at 200-500 feet (supposed to be 1,000 feet ... ). Don't even return my calls.
My galleries contain all sorts of stuff, not just some pretty pictures.
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