We tend to know them as UAVs or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. They are increasingly referred to as RPASs or Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems. We don’t refer to them as drones, do we?

If you use these tools, or are thinking they could be useful, make sure to find out about the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand’s proposed rule changes. Submissions just opened and close in mid-January, so don’t just play with your Christmas presents, get involved.

As the use of remotely piloted aircraft has increased in New Zealand, so have the number of incidents involving them according to CAA. The CAA regards the current rules, originally drafted for model aircraft, as no longer adequate and is proposing a new, stricter rule system for operators wanting to fly when public safety could be at risk.

CAA’s general aviation manager Steve Moore says the rules catch up with the evolving technology, although it doesn’t know how far that evolution will go. “For the recreational users they’ll pretty much be the same – if anything there’ll be a little bit more latitude available to them,” says Mr Moore.

The proposed new civil aviation rules to regulate the use of UAV have been released for public consultation. The CAA’s Notice of Proposed Rule Making was issued on 4 December 2014. Members of the public and industry can give feedback until 30 January 2015 through http://www.caa.govt.nz/

More information is available from Civil Aviation  and via the industry hub, UAVNZ or Airshare www.airshare.co.nz.

Precision Agriculture New Zealand (PANZ) informs us that the Royal Aeronautical Society – New Zealand Division 30th is holding its Annual Symposium on Friday 16th January 2015. The symposium will be a forum for the UAV industry to learn about the development of aviation policy and regulations, engage with the wider aviation community, share knowledge about industry best practice, network and collaborate on technology and business development opportunities.  Further information here>