Airports Authority: Don't use drones near airports

THE Airports Authority (AATT) is reminding people that using drones is prohibited within five kilometres of the Piarco and ANR Robinson airports.

The advisory was given after Gatwick Airport, the United Kingdom’s second biggest, was disrupted this week by drone sightings which left hundreds of flights grounded and thousands of passengers irate because they were unable to fly for the Christmas season.

One British Airways (BA) flight from Gatwick was cancelled on Thursday. Another BA flight to Tobago, via Antigua, was scheduled to arrive on time at 5.35 pm today.

There were some affected flights to Barbados, Jamaica and Bermuda, according to the flight schedule on Gatwick’s website.

In response to questions from Newsday, the AATT said it was guided by the Civil Aviation Act, which sets out all protocols for drone activity around the airports.

Using an unmanned aircraft with the intent to disrupt or endanger civil aviation or any public or private property attracts a fine of $350,000 and imprisonment for five years, according to the regulations.

They also stipulate that drones cannot be operated in any open-air function or over any mass public gathering. They should not be operated in a manner that may endanger people or property, or within five kilometres from any manned aircraft operations, including the airports.They also cannot be flown over people without their permission, and there are several no-fly zones which include: the Caroni Bird Sanctuary, nature reserves, Port of Spain, Pointe-a-Pierre, Point Fortin, Point Lisas and the military area in Chaguaramas.

All drones weighing more than 1.6 pounds must be registered with the Civil Aviation Authority and all operations require a licence. There are various licences depending on the weight of the drone and whether it is for recreational or commercial purposes. They should not be flown at a height greater than 121 metres or 400 feet above the ground.

Drones weighing less than 1.6 pounds cannot be flown more than 20 metres or 100 feet above the ground.

The regulations also say drone pilots must maintain a direct visual line of sight with the drone while flying and those used commercially must carry drone liability insurance.

If a drone operator has been found guilty of conducting an unsafe flight, the CAA has the authority to suspend or revoke any or all approvals.