Comgames No Drone Zone
 

One of my neighbours called me in all in a flap. Over the weekend her brother, who lives within one of the Commonwealth Games no drone zone restricted areas was flying a RC helicopter in his back yard. Now, this yard is surrounded by 60 foot+ gum trees and the RCA was below fence height, in his back yard. His neighbor who there has been an ongoing feud said he would report him to CASA.

I tried calling CASA and they said..."Dunno", I dug out all the literature and searched the net and I still have no clue either.

So where does a residence property end vertically and CASA's airspace start. I always thought 360 feet if you are outside a protected area for a runway.

If it is much lower, wouldn't a skied cricket shot technically impinge the restricted area.

yes I am aware of the English law regarding your property from the heaavens to the earth. Seeking a more practical definition.

This specifically says:

"Temporary airspace restrictions will be active on certain days and at certain times. When the restriction is active, you must not operate your drone anywhere or at any height within the temporary restricted area. These restrictions apply to drones of all sizes and weights, including drones that might be considered small toys."

"These restrictions apply from surface level to 1000 feet above ground level."

https://www.casa.gov.au/aircraft/sta...onwealth-games


"3.5 No sport or recreational RPA, unmanned balloons and rocketry operation will be given a permission to operate within any of the TRAs as listed in this AIC."

http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/..._24MAR2018.pdf


This mentions "You must not fly your drone higher than 120 metres (400 ft) above the ground" but also says "You must not operate your drone in prohibited or restricted areas."

https://www.casa.gov.au/modelaircraft


All seems to state fairly explicitly that you can't fly at any level in the TRAs. Not that I have anything to base this on but I very much doubt the authorities would pursue someone flying their RC helicopter in their own backyard below fence height.

If the neighbour didn't snap a photo then it didn't happen :ok:

The website for reporting illegal drone flying is quite comprehensive and takes quite a while to fill out and it asks for specific evidence such as a youtube video.

If a RC Helicopter hovering 5 feet above the grass in a back yard is an of offense, would't kicking a football or whacking a cricket ball 30m straight up in the park next door equally be an offense. How can one thing be an offense and something else not be?

It's also not an offence to jump off your roof flapping your arms nor to throw Barbie into the air and have her float down under a plastic parachute. Budgerigars and unpowered paper aeroplanes are also fine.

They aren't trying to sterilise the airspace, just keep it clear of a certain threat.