Keep your drones away from Armed Forces Day in Durban

20 February 2017 - 15:49 By Yasantha Naidoo
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
President Jacob Zuma will be present at the 6th segment of Armed Forces Day celebrations.
President Jacob Zuma will be present at the 6th segment of Armed Forces Day celebrations.
Image: Facebook/Tlele Tryphina Mabena

Drone operators have been cautioned not to fly around the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Tuesday ahead of the Armed Forces day or face the consequences.

In a statement issued on Monday‚ the SA National Defence Force's Brigadier-General Mafi Mgobozi said that operators of drones and remotely piloted aircraft should take note that as per a Notice to Airmen (Notam)‚ the airspace covering ten nautical miles around Moses Mabhida Stadium and along the coast from ground level up to 27‚000ft has been declared as a restricted zone.

  • REVEALED: SANDF soldier's last hours on the runHe faces charges of murder‚ attempted murder and kidnapping and is expected to appear in court next week. 

This means that any unauthorised entrance into the mentioned restricted airspace by drones‚ remotely piloted aircraft and other unauthorised aircrafts is prohibited and any violation could lead to the drone being confiscated and owner prosecuted in terms of the Civil Aviation Act‚ Act 13 of 2009.

  • Soldier's shooting spree - how the events unfoldedPolice have provided more details on a SA National Defence Force (SANDF) member’s shooting spree which left one person dead and three others wounded in Durban on Tuesday. 

He said in addition‚ in accordance with Part 101 of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulations‚ a CAA approved and valid remote pilot licence as well as a letter of approval to operate the drone were needed. Drones also cannot be flown more than 400ft or 120m above the ground‚ nor within 10km of an aerodrome or within restricted airspace or flown within 50m above or close to a person or crowd of people‚ structure or building – without prior CAA approval.

TMG Digital/TimesLIVE

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now