Crackdown on drone use
In 2002 Australia became the first country to write legislation for drones - small, pilotless aircraft. At the time few people knew what a drone was or why legislation was necessary.
Fast forward to 2014 and drones were becoming so popular they were used by surf photgraphers to capture hirtherto unattainable angles. That year Swellnet wrote an article investigating their use. We spoke to Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) about the guessing game they were playing writing laws for a fast-moving technology.
“It's hard to write enforceable legislation when we don't know where the technology will be in a few years," said CASA spokesperson Peter Gibson at the time.
Now, exactly five years after Gibson said that, CASA have announced a crackdown on drone use. From July, anyone who wants to fly a drone in Australia will have to be accredited by CASA. The mandatory license will, according to Peter Gibson who's still CASA's spokseperson "give us big advantages in terms of complaints or reports of drones being flown improperly or against the safety rules."
By forcing all users to register, CASA will discover how many users there are. "For the first time we'll have an overall picture of the drone sector…probably there are tens of thousands, possibly even 100,000, but at this point we don't know," Mr Gibson said.
Though their popularity with surf photographers has plateaued, drones are still used to shoot the overhead angle. However, they're sometimes flown illegally, whether it be unregistered pilots using them for commercial purposes (commercial use currently requires a license), or flying drones in no-fly zones.
For example, every airport in Australia has a 5km no fly zone, which counts out surf spots such as the Superbank, Lennox Head, and parts of the Sunshine Coast. Yet drone footage from each is still easy to find.
So will the new regulations see a reduction in drone photography? In the short term it's unlikely. Using PWC's as an analogy, self-regulation didn't work, and it wasn't till laws were enforced that behaviour changed. Yet policing drones is harder than PWCs. They're smaller, more manouveable, and carry no unique markings.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority appear destined to forever play catch up with drone technology.
Comments
Guarantee that in the near future there’ll be a certification required to fly one. I suppose it’ll be a step towards reducing the cowboy factor , but you know it’s really just a government earn.
There’s a little business in it for someone. It’ll be like a construction white card . Learn the rules and regs .
"Guarantee that in the near future there’ll be a certification required to fly one."
I have a feeling your prediction may come true.
How near future?
Cos I take certification to be the same as accreditation, which is what'll happen come July.
Sorry about that. Just skim read it. Accreditation is exactly the same.
Then your guarantee is good.
Thought i had a swarm of bees in my backyard a few weeks ago but realised it was a drone checking out my place and my neighbours house,when i saw it it was hovering 20 feet or so above but soon fucked off after i threw it a brown eye....
Haha Simba, good one
Self regulation has never worked in any industry, it's not in our nature
Drones are fucked. Worse than jet skis
Drones are annoying, but Jetskis are worse cause they can do step off out beyond take off spot and also avoid paddling back out.
It’s going to get hectic when the drones get tiny like some of the spy cameras getting around. Privacy will be gone.
How long before we see the full arms race tech wars for public consumption spy wear ? Drone proof perimeters for your house , apps which alert you to malicious tech in your vicinity, a bong with a blaring alarm if someone packs it with pure spin.
Not that long Blowin, its already here
Far out, all this high tech shit and my car overheated the other day. Old style overheated, Ford Model T-style with smoke streaming from under the bonnet.
I was driving over Windang bridge thinking, Who's the silly duffer up ahead with the engine smoke, before I realised, shit, it's me!
Rolled to a stop outside the fishing shop on the north side of the bridge, and thank jebus he was open despite being late Sunday arvo. Bought some silicon tape to patch a busted radiator hose and old mate filled a bucket with water for me.
Twisted the crank shaft on my Model T Commodore and set off up the boulevarde again.
A high tech future is not for me.
In the age of 4 way stretch high tech boardies , I was rocking some OLD favourites out in the Sea Wok today. Lent over the bow to grab the anchor and felt a bit of a rip in the arse and ignored it .
Came in and was walking around carefree , put the boat on the trailer , cleaning fish and talking to a couple of sexy euro backpacker chicks .
Got home and realised I was basically wearing chaps . No undies and my entire date utterly exposed.
Old school commodore, old school boardies....what’s not to love ?
PS - How good is it when you can get back on the road by using nothing more than a bit of tape ?! Commodores are good value.
Replace those hoses Stu net....
Or pay the price......
Nothing worse than a car that won't start for -big oil.....
I love the photo. Boardshorts , clear water and the barrel is flaring wide open.
Except for the stinking drone of course.
Good news, these things are annoying and im sick of drone footage.
Havent been here for a while so welcome me back guys especially you Stu and Ben.
If you don't like drones and are technologically savy knock one of these up.
https://makezine.com/2015/10/16/research-company-takes-aim-uavs-portable...
If your like me and are clueless learn to shoot well.
It's super illegal. And ACMA come down harder than CASA...
It's a massive industry now, growing really fast, a guy I used to work with now works for a company called DroneShield.
"For example, every airport in Australia has a 5km no fly zone"
Not true Stu. It depends on whether the airport is controlled (usually by a control tower) Here's the CASA quote: "You may fly within 5.5km of a non-controlled aerodrome or helicopter landing site (HLS) only if manned aircraft are not operating to or from the aerodrome."
The problem is the rules simply aren't enforced. Pauline "gun fucking nut" Hanson flew a drone in central Townsville last year from a high rise balcony breaking multiple rules. The silly cow filmed herself and put the video up on her website and social media. Open and shut case and CASA did fuck all about it. Making drone owners register their equipment means fuck all unless CASA pulls their finger out and start fining the morons.
Every cunt is a bush lawyer hey.
CASA's rules are written so any idiot can understand them. For Example
"You must not fly over or above people. This could include festivals, sporting ovals, populated beaches, parks, busy roads and footpaths." A ten year old can work it out so there's no need for bush lawyers.
The Gun Nation leader was filmed flagrantly breaking the law and she put the evidence up on her website. What a moron. When CASA didn't prosecute shit-for-brains over this high profile incident, they basically sent the message to all drone users that pretty much anything goes.
Melbourne local who gives a shit. Can read a few "rules" on a website what's the law bush lawyer?
I get the feeling you don't like me calling Hanson shit for brains and a moron. If the cap fits, wear it.
The rules are so easy to follow. Have a look yourself.
https://www.casa.gov.au/modelaircraft
There's mapping apps that remove all doubt.
Rules that aren't enforced are pretty much useless, especially when the general public know they aren't being enforced. That's why CASA should have cracked down on that fucking red-head, bullshit artist, hypocritical, racist imbecile.
No couldn'y give a crap about any pollie.
Just wondering what the laws are for rec or pro operators?
Pretty sure VL just highlighted the main points for ya dickhead......but, yeah, tag him as a ‘Melbourne local’ to back up whatever point it is you’re trying to make.
VL probably spends as much time in Melbourne as you do in Jan Juc.
Jan Juc is a lovely place full of pretentious fools, figjam tradies and cashed up boomers who all think their ownership of the area is slightly larger than the next any way back to drones.
Ill apologise to VL was a little hasty on my smart arse remark's no not a fan of Pauline and yeah he did provide a direct link to the rules so was wrong. Thanks for interjecting on VL behalf
"Jan Juc is a lovely place full of pretentious fools, figjam tradies and cashed up boomers who all think their ownership of the area is slightly larger than the next"
Having lived here for 30 odd years and seen Torquay/J.J change radically in the last 10 or so.....yeah, I totally agree with that.
"Thanks for interjecting on VL behalf"
My pleasure!
Ahh lets be honest Jan Juc was never much. Cheap housing in a gully with no village just more post war miserable subdivision with zero soul. Too harsh?
Or you could say it was a dirty paddock which has become a very desirable place to live due to the hard work of the exceptionally good looking and highly talented residents. House prices down here don't back up your argument memlasurf. PS love the pic.
True house prices just about anywhere within cooee of the coast and Melbourne are through the roof. Yes I have friends in Jan Juc and they would like to consider themselves talented and good looking however I would send that decision through to the keeper so I can remain neutral.
I find drones interrupting my enjoyment of the natural environment an abhorrent disgrace.
It is pretty lame to be sitting out in the surf, seeking some relief in the natural environment. Only to have some voyeur buzzing around you.
Done footage and the associated music is such a d-grade perspective of surfing.
was sitting out the back of my local break and a drone kept buzzing around it was dropping a fishos sinker and bait out the back...fucking up my serenity,about an hour later heard the drone squeeling then it dropped from the sky with the line wrapped around its props...karma....
Hope you held it under for good measure.
I am not a lover of drones but they provide the best single camera perspective of the long point wave ride.
If you will allow me to call Skeleton Bay a point wave, there is no way Koa Smith's extraordinary ride could have have filmed with a single camera from the land or water.
https://m.
Shanghais for sale at local hardware, bb ammo included. Cow boys and Indians, just like the good old day only funner!
The pilot is a bigger target than the drone & also stationary....just saying
Picture this: it’s mid-week, mid-day, no crowd, the waves are clean and peeling, the breeze is off shore, the sun is out, the dolphins are playing, the water is clear, and the gentle nnnnnneeeeeeeEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE of a drone joins in with the chorus of nature.
Ahhh the serenity.
I thought there would be roaming swellnet data collecting drones by now. And I am waiting to hear what mister true blue has to say.
Almost all areas of the CC are no-fly zones due to hospitals and helicopter fly zones.
Oh well......
Regardless of what changes they make, it will not make a bean of difference to idiots flying their RPAS over the lineup illegally. You gotta catch them in the act and that will be difficult. Given they are making it user pays that is an even bigger disincentive to operate legally. Over a grand for the machine, then registration fees which will most likely have to be renewed every three years. The only people who will do the right thing are the one's who already are doing the right thing.
A sizeable drone crashed to the ground about 10m away from me on Sandon Point a few years ago. Would have messed me hair up a bit if it made a direct hit. Glad it missed.
Goddamn drones. I farken' hate them.
Police will be arrested if they breach 5km Dronezone.(Only law Drone Pilots know!)
Scientists track big bang sound even when the Earth farts.
Hunters can track a cockroach up a drainpipe or plankton under the SouthPole.
Rescue Mobs track jellyfish to Sharks on real time maps
Govt tracks your Phones / TV / Car / Boats/ Planes / Bank Accounts.
The only thing on Earth we can't track is GPS fitted DRONES. (WTF?)
27/3/2019 Casa Capt' Gibbo 'Drone squadron commander'... (Quote):
"...probably' 10's of 1000's,possibly even 100,000 but at this point we don't know"
Admittedly that's far more accurate than Qld State Govt statisticians.
Fucked if I know why, but even Aussies call that a fail Gibbo...Your Sacked! Bye Bye!
Open season on drones puts a stop to Cold Pizza Delivery & WWIII drone strikes.
How else to reclaim The Skies + Airports + NP / WSR / Estuaries / Chix Sun Decks
tbb copped one sweet on the forehead...Unplug the Flymos to restore World Peace.
Most operate heavy machines a lifetime teaching others laws of bikes/cars/trucks.
Drone 'experts' have a few years training and command up skirting to Cloudbanks.
Be my guest choose any YouTube footage for any number of Drone criminals.
All reported to Casa (mine Included). Where? You sure it was one of our guys?
Less than 5% of drones operate in research eg: Pizza Races between cbd's.
95% of Drones are to boost ego for unlawful YouTube vidz or Drone Racing
Drone Racers would never buy CASA approved lame rubbish.
Most Racers build their own faster models bypassing CASA Registration!
As above, where tbb was hit, after Fisherdrones ziplined gamefish thru SLSC beach.
Here's Gold Coast's recent act of terrorism as Drone sabotages Chopper Rescue.
https://www.facebook.com/7NewsGoldCoast/videos/drone-interrupts-rescue-a...
Spit Drivers / Campers / Nudists have Cops cops jumping out of bushes...Busted!
Mystery Drone Pilot has whole town at his mercy while pulling faces at cops.
Here's just a couple of laws breached...sure, feel free to add a dozen more.
1)Spit Aerodrome is a base for SeaPlanes & Helicopters (Fuck it)
2)Seaway is a boating / recreation thru- fare (for surfers also) (Fuck it)
3) South Straddie is in Southern Moreton Marine Park (Fuck it)
4) Beach/Walls/Water has people beneath drone. (Fuck it)
5) Helicopter Rescue in Progress (Fuck it)
6) Retreats via Seaway..via VMR/ASR Radio Control Tower. (Fuck it)
My brother in law was there describing it worse as Drone bossed the whole seaway.
We all saw the same with 2 day stand off at Major Airport...World at Drone's mercy.
How the hell is willingly terrorising a Sea Rescue/Airport not instant Jail Time?
I guess Dutto made it legal when PM John Howard's SAS stormed Tampa AMSAR?
Drone attacks on Rescue Choppers are increasing. Sorry game was up years ago!
CASA pockets the fee hikes but are too cowardly to mop up Zombie Squadron.
Qld Boys in Blue will sort it... "Step back behind yer mum's skirt CASA girliemen!"
https://www.aviassist.com.au/police-shoot-down-drone-near-restricted-area/
The sooner those blasted things disappear from the air above the surf, the better. Few things are more obnoxious than the sound of battery-powered mosquitos in an otherwise enjoyable session.
Classic Thursday Swell Noosa during OMA and as my inner self exploded over RedBull Watercross Stink boat Ferry machine this pharken zingybuzz flapping about my jowels. Worlds gone made. Never has a paddle in been so infuriating and pleasurable at the same time.
lawyers picnic
My mate looked at one of those certifications, so those muppets told him to get drone certification is almost the same as to get the pilot license. WTF? any kid could fly those drones. The authority is simply can't make their mind what they want. to fly a drone you don't need a special knowledge just a simple rules like do not fly over airport, might be don't go higher then 10km up and don't annoy a girls next door by flying next to her bedroom every now and then, that's it. pay $10 admin fees and here you go like a fishing license. But no! those muppets are trying to make it more and more comlicated, no wander why no onge give a f@k about those CASA anymore.
Logan Weather Forecast : [ Cloudy with a chance of a Flamin' Meatball shower ]
https://thumbs.gfycat.com/SecondhandSmallFly-mobile.mp4
Google Pizza Drone takes out the Neighbourhood whilst swooping on local driverless Pizza Boy.
1,000's of Bogans were booted off Google Earth for hours.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-30/food-delivery-drone-lands-on-powe...
Energex Sexy Lady Answering Machine :
"We have requested that any powerless Kite Flying Bogan Kid should pay for a new Google Earth!"
"We refuse to request that Google pay for a new test tube of Meatballs as the meal was still hot!"
New World Order Robocop :
"Just repeating...No Bogan suffered hunger pangs during the rebooting of the Cyberverse War Games!"
https://gizmodo.com/wing-food-delivery-drone-power-lines-crash-australia...
Sunday Walk down a local empty street...seemed a bit too quiet...score for tbb!
Half way down the hill heard this buzz gaining fast from behind & getting close...
Never turned to face it because the sound was head high & thought of thru-flight risk.
Turned to each side and it backed off pretty swiftly...sorted...still felt weird though!
A little bit further down the hill & the same little shit is gaining as before...
Once more too fearful of facing this if it kept on trajectory into my face...
Again turned to side & tbb thought to get a small glimpse...said small!
Mostly as tbb was equally suss about surrendering any recognition.
Kinda thought tbb stood a chance being less of a target by not facing it...like a bully!
It got lost in surroundings as quick as ya spot it...can only think it's a Micro Drone!
Now here's the thing...this was a non gated complex but with Security Cam Signs...
Not yer usual Cam Signs but...creepy shit...You are on camera / You are being filmed!
Right exactly in the Zone where this Drone swooped...Like read the Signs stupid fucker!
Big signs like with Pictures of Cameras zooming at you...Like Pleasantville.
Dare not stop to look at Pool/s or Park even creek...just keep moving on fast!
You know the kinda place...with the creepy manager minding the front entry...
tbb thinks the manager was doin' the Micro Drone tracking as no one else was about.
Could be they had a recent vandalism / Dogs / Kids incident & were checkin' outsiders!
Might also be that tbb was walking on road as there was no footpath?
100 townhouses & not one car or person on a Sunday...tbb thinks he knows why that is!
Either Manager or Manager's Kid are tracking Blowins down the road with drones.
Reason being...from the managers office they would lose sight as road curves & drops down.
Almost like a blind spot in his fixed cam network...so he pilots the drone to fill the void.
This being on a steep curve...it certainly pans out like that.
Also explains why not one kid was out & about...Reckon the locals know the operator's game.
Also explains why the Drone never tagged tbb on the way back to the Managers office (Base).
Think the idea is to keep out unwanted visitors or keep new folk off the road...
Either way it's fucking mental & tbb is not to keen to revisit.
Not sure what to say about this, as it's likely that Bodycorps grant use of drones.
In fact tbb checked & Yes! they can film Renters & Visitors (Not Harass Residents!)
Yeah! It makes sense that this is one creepy fucker that knows his Drone Rights..
Mostly coz he never once flew real close or over tbb only enough to track & warn!
Reckon tbb was already on plenty of Cameras this was just a fuck off warning.
tbb copped the same walking up same hill opposite me local schools...
This Chick stared tbb down...like this Gods Children's Temple Mount...Fuck Off!
Well folks..it's also tbb's neighbourhood & tbb just spent 3 years locked inside...
Reckon...another 3 years won't hurt...better than being clocked by Paranoid Creeps!
tbb lives in an ultra religious neighbourhood with a cranky Neighbourhood Watch.
Would never discuss the Drone with them as it's likely them doing the swooping!
Just wanted to share that this Drone shit is goin' next level & will freak you out!
Even now, hunchin' me neck reliving it..that kinda creepy! Hear the Buzz / Feel the Flutter!
Warning...if ya can see creepy Cam signs, too late...you're already Drone prey!
Just get the fuck out...
Smile..you're some pervert Manager's plaything! OMG...feels icky...like being probed!
Yeah they have their place just like Jetski's do buttttttt unfortunately both are being abused by cowboys using them! Had a jet ski pull a HOG in behind me several times @ BIG Alley a few yrs back until I got the shits with them & faded him badly just to get the MSG across that there is something called etiquette & legally they shouldn't have even been out there anyways!!! As far as drones go my gooD friend is still fuming after a 13yr old flew a drone over her HERB garden then showed his Mum the footage & Mum rings the COPS! Where's my shotgun when I need it! L.O.L. !!!