Amateur drone pilots put races and aircraft at risk, authorities say
Looking through her shots from an outback camel race, a photographer notices she snapped a drone where it should not have been.
Amateur drone pilots are drawing ire for endangering races and aircraft, authorities warn. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) cautions recreational drone users to stay away from gatherings. Queensland Fire Department urges unauthorised drone pilots to keep a safe distance from emergency incidents as bushfire season approaches.
At the Winton Camel Races, a small quadcopter captured on camera followed camels on the track, invading the crowd's space. Race organisers attempted to silence the drone three times, while owner Ann Britton wished she had flown her own drone with permission. CASA spokesperson Steve Creedy stresses that recreational drones must not fly over gatherings.
Properly licensed operators are permitted, but recreational drones are strictly prohibited. Queensland Fire Department reports incidents where drones intrude into emergency incident zones, causing delays in life-saving operations. They urge amateur drone operators to stay away from such areas, especially during bushfire season.
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