Aerial Video Experts Rubbermonkey Advise Using Drones Safely

Drones have exploded in popularity in New Zealand over the past 5 years, and with drone retailers like Rubbermonkey expecting their turnover to increase again next year, it’s more important than ever for drone pilots to make sure they’re using their craft safely and in compliance with national rules.

However, with a NZ Herald survey of drone users revealing that less than half of pilots are ensuring they have the proper land owner approvals before flying, and 550 drone incidents occurring in New Zealand since 2016, most operators are calling for mandatory training to increase safe flying. As drones are also increasingly used by businesses for aerial photos and videos, Airways are currently working towards a nationwide drone traffic management system, to reduce the risk involved in drone operation.

Drones have also been massively popular with tourists to New Zealand, who the Civil Aviation Authority say have been some of the worst-behaved drone pilots, due to ignorance and disregard of national drone rules and requirements. Though only 2.4% of drone incidents that have occurred in New Zealand from 2016 to present have involved tourists, the CAA are currently working with Air New Zealand to make an inflight video about drone laws and safety in New Zealand, with the intention to reduce unsafe drone use in problem areas such as South Island glaciers, airports and heliports.

The UK government has taken a similar stance, banning drone pilots from flying above 400ft or within 1km of an airport boundary, as a result of the 92 near misses between drones and aircraft that occurred in 2017. They have also implemented an online registration system and compulsory safety test for drone pilots, and extended the maximum sentence for drone-related offences to five years.

Audio-visual experts Rubbermonkey, who stock over 30 drone models as well as security cameras, microphones, and dash cams, advise that anyone buying a drone either for personal or business use become well acquainted with New Zealand’s drone laws, and fly safely. You can visit the CAA website for more information on drone safety in NZ.