Drone-friendly areas - Cape Town

We are years behind the rest of the world wrt drones. It's almost impossible to fly them without a permit in SA. Also, the fat cat bureaucrats in government wouldn't know a drone if it buzzed them in the face, and the CAA is a total mess at the moment. So I guess just familiarise yourself with the VFR special rules routings to mitigate risk andimages%20(2).jpg
 
bromster said:
We are years behind the rest of the world wrt drones. It's almost impossible to fly them without a permit in SA. Also, the fat cat bureaucrats in government wouldn't know a drone if it buzzed them in the face, and the CAA is a total mess at the moment. So I guess just familiarise yourself with the VFR special rules routings to mitigate risk andView attachment 968642
Click to expand...
The most illogical part of the rules surrounding drones in SA is the prohibition on flying within 10km of an airport.
 
I'm ressurecting this thread because I got stopped flying my drone in a park in the Northern suburbs more than 10kms away from an airport.

Zero signs in the park stating that drone flying is banned. The park manager came up to me and said it's aviation rules even though the park is more than 10kms away.

He said it's not park rules.

It's so stupid- because guys i know who live opposite the park fly drones in their backyards- but 2 meters away into the park and then suddenly it's an aviation rule that must be enforced.

If only they cleaned up the litter the park and the duckpond with the same gusto.
 
theesan said:
I'm ressurecting this thread because I got stopped flying my drone in a park in the Northern suburbs more than 10kms away from an airport.

Zero signs in the park stating that drone flying is banned. The park manager came up to me and said it's aviation rules even though the park is more than 10kms away.

He said it's not park rules.

It's so stupid- because guys i know who live opposite the park fly drones in their backyards- but 2 meters away into the park and then suddenly it's an aviation rule that must be enforced.

If only they cleaned up the litter the park and the duckpond with the same gusto.
Click to expand...
Are you free of any of the prohibited areas on this map including the parks and airfields?

My Maps

My Maps makes it easy for you to create beautiful maps and share them with others.
www.google.com
 
bwana said:
Are you free of any of the prohibited areas on this map including the parks and airfields?

My Maps

My Maps makes it easy for you to create beautiful maps and share them with others.
www.google.com
Click to expand...
It is free of the prohibited area.

It's a municipal park- not a national park so don't know if there is a difference in rules?

It's a bit stupid that these rules would be only enforced in parks and not on properties within these zones?
 
theesan said:
It is free of the prohibited area.

It's a municipal park- not a national park so don't know if there is a difference in rules?

It's a bit stupid that these rules would be only enforced in parks and not on properties within these zones?
Click to expand...
Was it a municipal official or some random guy?

I've had randoms pass comments and just respond with an "oh, okay" and don't engage further.
 
theesan said:
I'm ressurecting this thread because I got stopped flying my drone in a park in the Northern suburbs more than 10kms away from an airport.

Zero signs in the park stating that drone flying is banned. The park manager came up to me and said it's aviation rules even though the park is more than 10kms away.

He said it's not park rules.

It's so stupid- because guys i know who live opposite the park fly drones in their backyards- but 2 meters away into the park and then suddenly it's an aviation rule that must be enforced.

If only they cleaned up the litter the park and the duckpond with the same gusto.
Click to expand...
Were there any other people around? And how big is the park?

You're not allowed to fly nearer than 50 metres from people, buildings or roads. You also have to be more than 50m away from any private property.
 
Speedster said:
Were there any other people around? And how big is the park?

You're not allowed to fly nearer than 50 metres from people, buildings or roads. You also have to be more than 50m away from any private property.
Click to expand...
Looks like I'll have to book an holiday in rural Lesotho to get to fly this thing.
 
Have had a number of discussions with the CAA over time about drone operations (part of work stuff). The various maps one finds online usually give the restricted civilian areas, but do not normally include the restricted military areas. This can add an extra dimension to things.
 
The real question is what would an ordinary city-bound resident want with a drone anyway? It has zero functional benefit. If it is a sport then presumably, there are venues where the sport can be practiced. What I do know is if I see one flying over my property, I am more than likely to haul out my shotgun for some target practice.
 
Geoff.D said:
The real question is what would an ordinary city-bound resident want with a drone anyway?
Click to expand...
Because they're fun.

Geoff.D said:
It has zero functional benefit.
Click to expand...
I've received more than enough monetary compensation to pay for mine.

And they're fun.

Geoff.D said:
I am more than likely to haul out my shotgun for some target practice.
Click to expand...
Sure you are. Discharging a shotgun in an urban area is going to land you in way more trouble than the guy flying over it.
 
garyc said:
Have had a number of discussions with the CAA over time about drone operations (part of work stuff). The various maps one finds online usually give the restricted civilian areas, but do not normally include the restricted military areas. This can add an extra dimension to things.
Click to expand...
What would be the reason for banning drones 10kms from airports?

Do they potentially interfere with communication signals? Do they pose a collision hazard? Do they affect onboard equipment?

Why 10kms and not 5 or 20kms?
 
In the UK - it appears the limit is 1km from airport boundary. Why is it more here?

'It is illegal to fly drones within one kilometre of an airport boundary. They have to remain in line of sight and within 500 metres of the pilot.'
 
theesan said:
In the UK - it appears the limit is 1km from airport boundary. Why is it more here?

'It is illegal to fly drones within one kilometre of an airport boundary. They have to remain in line of sight and within 500 metres of the pilot.'
Click to expand...
And is the altitude restriction also 500m above GL?
 
theesan said:
What would be the reason for banning drones 10kms from airports?

Do they potentially interfere with communication signals? Do they pose a collision hazard? Do they affect onboard equipment?

Why 10kms and not 5 or 20kms?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately drone laws exist because idiots like this exist;


 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter