Drones and Sydney NYE Telecast
 

Watching the fireworks on TV last night and a couple of times it looked very much like they cut to footage by a UAS in amongst the actual fireworks. Anyone else see the same or is it just camera tricks that I've messed up?

Hi Keg,

Didn't see last nights coverage, but the previous year's coverage (or it might have been river fire in Brisbane - senile decay has set in and I can't remember) had a drone in the middle of the fireworks - they made specific comment about it.

Pics looked pretty good, though not sure how the operator controlled it - I assume it had an autopilot with a uploaded flight plan (I have the gear for my models to do the same and they cost about 250 bucks, so a professional drone would have much better gear than I do).

Would have made for even better footage if it got shot down :)

It looked quite good to see those shots of the fireworks from 'right amongst it'.
Some of the smoke trails were impressive from those angles / proximity.

And, it seemed to survive the ordeal OK, although that may have been some 'luck', I guess....

Well done I thought, and was it at or below 400ft AGL OCTA?
But then, what else would have been there on such an occasion?

Cheeerrrssss An' a Happy 2016 to all!! :ok:

There was definitely at least one in Brisbane filming the Fireworks, could see it darting around the place. Seemed to have just green lights underneath? Must have been a fair size as it was pretty easy to see even above skyscraper level and it sure moved pretty quickly, would love to know what model type it was if anyone happens to be in the know!

Either that or it was a UFO. :}

No doubt the footage looks great. It just seems a dumb idea to do it. I wonder if CASA has an opinion on the issue.

There was a drone operating just off shore from the Broadwater Parklands at Southport, for last nights NYE activities.

Why a dumb idea keg? I thought the footage looked good - as did the three other pilots watching the TV with me. Obviously a risk that it might get hit by fireworks, but that might be worth the risk for the network for the footage.

I assume there was a notam out for the fireworks anyway, so no aircraft would be in the area. No danger as long as not over the crowds.

Given the media coverage of the event/s the drones would have no doubt been operated by CASA RPA certified operators.

Part of their operational planning would generally require some form of risk analysis to be done. Given the scope and nature of the operation it would not surprise me if CASA personnel weren't involved at least from an operational observation perspective.

Lucky it wasn't operated by Qantas, it would have required weeks of simulator training to prepare for it. :rolleyes:

Sorry Keg, couldn't resist!! :p

Lol. Good one ACMS. Spot on. :D :}

I guess to me the risk of sending a UAS through fireworks and the potential for said UAS to be 'shot down' and ending up embedded in someone's scone is outside my level of acceptability. I'd LOVE to read that sort of risk assessment to find out exactly how they've addressed the various risks.:eek:

You were at the Broadwater Parklands Tail Wheel?? ..... we dare not venture out on NYE ...too much fun to be had relaxing at home around the pool...drinking and carrying on......:ok:

If so bothered we can probably walk up the easement to watch the Surfers Fireworks....was it good down at the Broadwater Parklands??

We heard a fireworks display was cancelled due wind?

Parklands were fine. The traffic jam after was reminiscent of central Bangkok in peak hour!! :yuk:

Dunno know about a fireworks display being cancelled due wind....regrettably the 'Bangkok peak hour traffic jam' will get worse...approvals for more developments without attendant upgrades to infrastructure.....typical Aussie short term vision..:{

Surfers fireworks moved? due to rough seas.

Anyone see the drone crashing just behind a competitor in a down hill ski race?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeviAWB0i4Y

I'm not a UAV or RPA pilot, but isn't it illegal to fly them at night?

Yes it is currently illegal to fly them at night or via First Person View or IMC conditions. Presuming here that they would definitely need approvals from CASA for such operations or an AOC addition.

CASA Flyer:

https://www.casa.gov.au/sites/g/file...trol_model.pdf

I know the guy flying the drone over New Years. They were based on a barge right among the other fireworks barges in the harbour and yes it was pure luck that they didn't get hit by any of the fireworks but as someone has already said it was a cool shot and they decided it was definitely worth it.

They were in a cordoned off area over water so if it had been hit there was little to no risk of injury if it fell and for the cost of the whole NYE spectacle in Sydney the cost of a drone is nothing.

Re the rooles....

"Its illegal to fly for money or economic reward unless you have an unmanned operator's certificate issued by the 'you-can-guess-who'....."

I guess he /she did it free of charge then... or.... they had 'said cert.'....???

Cheeerrrsss...:p

There is the risk assessment Keg! It was a cool shot and they ( I assume the drone operator and the fireworks people)decided it was worth it. As you are in the know Trimset could you also enlighten the aviation community if they got the required approvals from CASA? FYI, approvals from NSW OHS departments don't count when it comes to operating in Commonwealth airspace.