Flying a drone in Marlborough
With its stunning network of islands and waterways, vineyards and vistas, Marlborough is a beautiful place to fly a drone. Like the rest of New Zealand though, there are rules you will need to abide by. For simplicity the below is in reference to Part 101 operations and is a very basic guide and it should not be relied on beyond that. Check this website for the most comprehensive and up to date rules.
Property - You need an agreement with the property owner / occupant for any land you are flying above. This includes all public spaces, parks, the port, roads, even empty farmland.
People - Don't fly your drone over people without their consent. They generally don't like it.
Daylight - Don't fly your drone after Evening Civil Twilight or before Morning Civil Twilight. If the sun is down, so is your drone.
Line of sight - Don't fly your drone further than you can see and orientate it. Just because it can go that far doesn't mean it should.
Height - Don't fly above 400ft above the surface below your drone. There's lots of light aircraft in Marlborough. They don't want you up there.
Airspace - If you are wanting to fly your drone in Marlborough there are a few aerodromes to be aware of as depicted below by the coloured areas. Don't rely on the DJI App for where you can and cannot fly. It does not line up with CAA regulations whatsoever.
Red - You will need to file a flight plan via Airshare in advance of your flight and then call the Air Traffic Control Tower before and after your flight.
Blue - These are "Uncontrolled" Aerodromes. You need three things to fly within the blue circles:
Orange - Low Flying Zone. This is where retirees go to fly Cessna 182s at low altitude and call each other "Goose" and "Maverick" whilst making machine gun noises over the radio. Do not fly here unless you want to get absolutely wrecked by the media because you were the first person in NZ to hit a manned aircraft with a drone.
If you don't have a qualification and you want to get one so you can fly within the blue areas, then get in touch with the good people at Fenix UAS and tell them I sent you - they might buy me a thank you steak or something.
If you want to be a legend, then you should also check Flight Advisor for some sweet sweet situational awareness. It's what all the cool kids do.
Side notes:
Don't buzz the ferries. They will not be impressed.
Stay 150m / 500ft away from all marine mammals - this is a Department of Conservation requirement.
With its stunning network of islands and waterways, vineyards and vistas, Marlborough is a beautiful place to fly a drone. Like the rest of New Zealand though, there are rules you will need to abide by. For simplicity the below is in reference to Part 101 operations and is a very basic guide and it should not be relied on beyond that. Check this website for the most comprehensive and up to date rules.
Property - You need an agreement with the property owner / occupant for any land you are flying above. This includes all public spaces, parks, the port, roads, even empty farmland.
People - Don't fly your drone over people without their consent. They generally don't like it.
Daylight - Don't fly your drone after Evening Civil Twilight or before Morning Civil Twilight. If the sun is down, so is your drone.
Line of sight - Don't fly your drone further than you can see and orientate it. Just because it can go that far doesn't mean it should.
Height - Don't fly above 400ft above the surface below your drone. There's lots of light aircraft in Marlborough. They don't want you up there.
Airspace - If you are wanting to fly your drone in Marlborough there are a few aerodromes to be aware of as depicted below by the coloured areas. Don't rely on the DJI App for where you can and cannot fly. It does not line up with CAA regulations whatsoever.
Red - You will need to file a flight plan via Airshare in advance of your flight and then call the Air Traffic Control Tower before and after your flight.
Blue - These are "Uncontrolled" Aerodromes. You need three things to fly within the blue circles:
- A qualification or pilots license to ensure you understand the risk of operating here. Or be under the direct supervision of someone who does.
- An observer to watch out for other air traffic.
- An agreement with the aerodrome operator so they can weigh up the risk of you flying here and approve or decline your flight. You can find aerodrome operators details on the Airshare website.
If you are within the red and also the blue, then you need all of the above.
Orange - Low Flying Zone. This is where retirees go to fly Cessna 182s at low altitude and call each other "Goose" and "Maverick" whilst making machine gun noises over the radio. Do not fly here unless you want to get absolutely wrecked by the media because you were the first person in NZ to hit a manned aircraft with a drone.
If you don't have a qualification and you want to get one so you can fly within the blue areas, then get in touch with the good people at Fenix UAS and tell them I sent you - they might buy me a thank you steak or something.
If you want to be a legend, then you should also check Flight Advisor for some sweet sweet situational awareness. It's what all the cool kids do.
Side notes:
Don't buzz the ferries. They will not be impressed.
Stay 150m / 500ft away from all marine mammals - this is a Department of Conservation requirement.
Part 101 vs Part 102
The New Zealand Civil Aviation Rules Part 101 and Part 102 regulate the operation of unmanned aircraft (drones) in New Zealand, but they cater to different operational scopes and requirements. The following is a brief, general overview and is not intended as legal guidance.
Part 101: General Operating Rules
Part 101 encompasses the general rules for operating unmanned aircraft, rockets, kites, and model aircraft. It is designed for recreational users and operators of smaller unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) with basic operational needs. Commercial operations can take place under Part 101 or Part 102. The key points include:
Part 102: Certification for Operations Requiring Higher Risk Management
Part 102 is intended for more complex and higher-risk operations that fall outside the limitations of Part 101. It provides a framework for certification and operational approval for such activities. The key differences and requirements include:
The New Zealand Civil Aviation Rules Part 101 and Part 102 regulate the operation of unmanned aircraft (drones) in New Zealand, but they cater to different operational scopes and requirements. The following is a brief, general overview and is not intended as legal guidance.
Part 101: General Operating Rules
Part 101 encompasses the general rules for operating unmanned aircraft, rockets, kites, and model aircraft. It is designed for recreational users and operators of smaller unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) with basic operational needs. Commercial operations can take place under Part 101 or Part 102. The key points include:
- Operational Limits: Part 101 restricts flights to daylight hours, mandates a visual line of sight (VLOS) at all times, and limits the maximum altitude to 120 meters (400 feet) above ground level.
- Airspace Restrictions: Operations are prohibited within controlled airspace, over aerodromes, and in areas where manned aircraft are operating, unless specific permission is obtained.
- Safety Precautions: Operators must ensure their drones do not create a hazard to people, property, or other aircraft. They must not fly over people without their consent and must maintain a safe distance from structures and vehicles.
- Weight Limitations: Part 101 generally applies to unmanned aircraft weighing less than 25 kg.
- No Certification Requirement: Operators under Part 101 do not need certification but must adhere strictly to the operational limits and safety precautions.
Part 102: Certification for Operations Requiring Higher Risk Management
Part 102 is intended for more complex and higher-risk operations that fall outside the limitations of Part 101. It provides a framework for certification and operational approval for such activities. The key differences and requirements include:
- Certification: Operators must obtain a Part 102 certificate from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This involves a detailed application process, including risk assessments, operational procedures, and safety management systems.
- Operational Flexibility: Part 102 allows for operations beyond the restrictions of Part 101, such as beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flights, night operations, and higher altitude flights.
- Risk Mitigation: Applicants must demonstrate comprehensive risk management strategies, including contingency planning and safety measures tailored to their specific operations.
- Custom Permissions: Each Part 102 certification is tailored to the operator’s specific needs and operational scope. This allows for bespoke permissions that address unique operational challenges.
- Ongoing Compliance: Certified operators must comply with continuous oversight and auditing by the CAA to ensure ongoing adherence to safety and operational standards.
- Insurance and Liability: Part 102 operators are often required to have appropriate insurance coverage and demonstrate their ability to manage liabilities associated with higher-risk operations.
- In summary, Part 101 is suited for hobbyists and operators of smaller, low-risk UAS operations with straightforward safety guidelines and no certification requirements. In contrast, Part 102 caters to professional operators engaged in complex, higher-risk activities, necessitating a rigorous certification process and comprehensive risk management practices.