Cape Town - Stringent licence regulations for drone pilots could make it impossible for these devices to be used for commercial activities, the Commercial Unmanned Aircraft Association of Southern Africa (CUAASA) has warned.
“Despite reasonable amendments to the Civil Aviation Act, drones that could deliver services and create jobs will be effectively grounded if the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) proposed bureaucratic interpretations of the regulations are implemented,” said Hennie Kieser, CUAASA president.
The new drone regulations, which come into effect on July 1, state that the pilot of a remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) must have a functioning air-band radio tuned to the frequencies applicable to the air traffic services unit controlling the relevant airspace.
The pilot is also prohibited from releasing, dispensing, dropping, delivery or deployment of objects from a remotely piloted aircraft.
The regulations also state that RPA shall not carry dangerous goods as cargo.
Applicants for a remote pilot licence cannot be younger than 18 years of age, must hold a valid Class 4 medical certificate for beyond visual line of sight operations and hold a restricted certificate of proficiency in radiotelephony.
No one may operate an RPA unless they have a valid remote pilot licence for one of the following categories: aeroplane remote pilot licence; helicopter remote pilot licence; and multirotor remote pilot licence.
Kieser said this interpretation meant that drone licence applicants would be subjected to the same rigorous process as commercial freight and passenger airlines at the Air Services Licensing Council. This was, he said, “akin to subjecting a model boat to a warship review”.
The CUAASA has asked the Civil Aviation Authority to exclude drones from air services licensing council certification and to recognise skilled RPAS pilots.
He said the concern was that pilots with years’ experience flying drones would be lumped together with novice applicants.
“This is not to say licensing must be a free for all. Technical standards and testing for RPAS pilots are essential.”
Kieser said drones were being used to scan stockpiles at mines, monitor erosion and the progress on projects such as the Medupi Power Station.
They could also be used to replace the expensive cost of helicopter footage in the film industry. In rural areas, drones could be used to deliver sputum samples from remote clinics to processing labs.
They have also been used with considerable success to curb rhino poaching.
When announcing the new regulations, Poppy Khoza, director of Civil Aviation, acknowledged that the aviation industry could be lucrative.
“The reason I am saying that is that very often when we introduce regulations that seek not only to promote new technology and overall development of the industry, we often come across individuals and entities that are determined to put profits ahead of the overall safety of other airspace users.
In the process of developing regulations it is normal that there would be differing views on the regulations.
However the Regulator’s obligation is to ensure civil aviation safety and security; and as such all the input will tested against this ultimate objective.”
Cape Argus and ANA