Indifference, incompetence or purblind arrogance.
Will the colossal arrogance of CASA be a radical cause the first drone related fatal accident?
Drones ‘fly’ in a space where ‘things’ airborne are strictly regulated, operated by people who are strictly regulated. CASA is used to a disciplined, rule conscious, safety aware industry which has a default setting of avoiding situations which could result in accident or incident.
The risk of a mid air collision were staggeringly low – until now. The chances of bird strike have always been at the low end of the scale, yet they happen. With a few notable exceptions, bird strike is not ‘alarmingly’ dangerous – however it is bloody inconvenient, often expensive and highly disruptive. We cannot control the ‘birds’; but we can control drones.
The problem is one of control for the undisciplined who have nothing to do with CASA and could care less for their puerile little rules; even if these folk could be ‘caught’ there’s precious little CASA could do about them – and even less chance of preventing a repeat offence. Think parking fines or speeding fines - they only stop honest folk, occasionally, from doing it again.
What will the smug visage of Carmody look like when the Senate committee ask him awkward questions about a helicopter smacking into a hospital roof; brought to grief by some fool who wanted to capture the drama? IMO; there is more chance of that happening than there is of bumping into a grey faced Foxbat one evening – yet even that happens.
If a thing flies and there is even a remote chance that it can hit another flying thing; then CASA is responsible for ensuring, as far as humanly possible, that the risks are minimised. Otherwise what’s the use of this very expensive ‘regulator’ of matters aeronautical?
Copper – “We’ve had reports of shots being fired from here, care to explain?”
Purdy – “Yes officer – I’ve been scaring the birds off the apple trees and clearing out some vermin”.
Copper notes bits of plastic being shuffled out of sight – smiles “Very good Sir, thankyou I’ll let the chopper drivers know”.
Toot – Purdy 6 – Drones 0 - toot.
Will the colossal arrogance of CASA be a radical cause the first drone related fatal accident?
Drones ‘fly’ in a space where ‘things’ airborne are strictly regulated, operated by people who are strictly regulated. CASA is used to a disciplined, rule conscious, safety aware industry which has a default setting of avoiding situations which could result in accident or incident.
The risk of a mid air collision were staggeringly low – until now. The chances of bird strike have always been at the low end of the scale, yet they happen. With a few notable exceptions, bird strike is not ‘alarmingly’ dangerous – however it is bloody inconvenient, often expensive and highly disruptive. We cannot control the ‘birds’; but we can control drones.
The problem is one of control for the undisciplined who have nothing to do with CASA and could care less for their puerile little rules; even if these folk could be ‘caught’ there’s precious little CASA could do about them – and even less chance of preventing a repeat offence. Think parking fines or speeding fines - they only stop honest folk, occasionally, from doing it again.
What will the smug visage of Carmody look like when the Senate committee ask him awkward questions about a helicopter smacking into a hospital roof; brought to grief by some fool who wanted to capture the drama? IMO; there is more chance of that happening than there is of bumping into a grey faced Foxbat one evening – yet even that happens.
If a thing flies and there is even a remote chance that it can hit another flying thing; then CASA is responsible for ensuring, as far as humanly possible, that the risks are minimised. Otherwise what’s the use of this very expensive ‘regulator’ of matters aeronautical?
Copper – “We’ve had reports of shots being fired from here, care to explain?”
Purdy – “Yes officer – I’ve been scaring the birds off the apple trees and clearing out some vermin”.
Copper notes bits of plastic being shuffled out of sight – smiles “Very good Sir, thankyou I’ll let the chopper drivers know”.
Toot – Purdy 6 – Drones 0 - toot.