Event coordinators, aviation officials, and emergency services have expressed concerns regarding the unsafe practices of amateur drone operators during public events. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has advised recreational drone pilots to refrain from bringing their devices to gatherings.
As the bushfire season approaches, the Queensland Fire Department has issued a warning for unauthorized drone operators to avoid emergency situations. During the Winton Camel Races in July, photographer Ann Britton accidentally captured footage of a rogue drone closely following the camels on the racetrack. “It was flying at the same height as the audience, which I found quite audacious,” she remarked.
Despite race organizers’ repeated announcements requesting the drone pilot to land, its operator remained unidentified. Britton, who holds a commercial drone license and had intended to fly her drone from a safe distance with permission, opted to keep it grounded during the incident due to concerns about a possible collision.
“I value the privilege of being able to capture these moments from the air,” she noted. However, the rise in unauthorized drone activity has led to fears of serious accidents. CASA has reiterated the importance of adhering to safety regulations and the penalties for non-compliance.
Kate de Koning, a helicopter tour pilot based in Winton, expressed her willingness to collaborate with drone operators at events, but she feels anxious when pilots do not communicate or follow safety protocols. While setting up her tent at the Boulia Camel Races, she encountered an unidentified drone flying dangerously close to her face. This incident was minor compared to a near-miss from the previous year when she spotted a drone hovering just meters above her helicopter’s blades as she was landing.
“The sight of that drone made my heart race,” she recounted. “It was clearly flying around while I was coming in to land, which was very unsettling.” De Koning’s helicopter operations involve multiple takeoffs and landings each day in proximity to the racecourse.
Race organizer Beck Britton indicated that there is a strict no-drone policy for attendees, but enforcing this rule proves challenging. “It’s a difficult situation because when people see someone using a drone, they often think it’s acceptable for them to do the same,” she explained. Britton suggested that organizers would work on enhancing communication regarding the policy. “If you want to fly a drone, there are wide-open spaces just a few kilometers away,” she added.
CASA has warned drone pilots about the legal responsibilities associated with operating drones at events. “With millions of recreational drone pilots, it is crucial that they do not fly over crowds,” stated CASA spokesperson Steve Creedy. “This applies to everything from music festivals to camel races. It is best to leave the drone at home.” Licensed drone operators are exceptions, as they may have received the necessary approvals to fly commercially.
Creedy emphasized the need for drone operators to be vigilant about manned aircraft, even outside controlled airspace. “If you see a crewed aircraft nearby, you must land your drone safely and quickly,” he advised.
There are currently no age restrictions or licensing requirements for flying small drones, but all pilots are expected to understand and adhere to CASA regulations.
Additionally, Acting Superintendent Cameron Herbert of the Queensland Fire Department noted that drones have sometimes entered emergency incident zones or have been captured in aerial footage shared on social media. “This complicates our operations, especially during bushfire season, as we require clear airspace,” he stated.
He urged amateur drone pilots to steer clear of emergency service operations, whether they involve significant bushfires or minor incidents such as structure fires or traffic accidents. “We request that all recreational drone users avoid these situations altogether,” he concluded.
