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'Strewth Pauline, take this video down quickly!': One Nation supporters warn the senator she may have broken the law after posting a video of herself flying a drone in North Queensland

Pauline Hanson shared a video of herself flying a drone from a balcony online
Supporters said she may be breaking laws around where you can fly a drone
CASA states you cannot fly a drone in a populated area or near a building
It is not clear if Ms Hanson has broken any laws in the video, filmed in Townsville
By Hannah Moore For Daily Mail Australia

Pauline Hanson has been warned by supporters she may have been breaking the law after she shared a video of herself flying a drone.
The One Nation leader posted the video to Facebook and Twitter just after 6:30pm from Townsville in North Queensland.
In the clip, she has a remote control for a drone in her hands before the camera pans to the object in the sky.

'I'm up in Townsville for the next 2 days for meetings with locals and on [Sky News'] Paul Murray Live tonight from 9:00pm,' she said in the caption.
'Tune in for a long chat about some major issues here in North Queensland and the rest of the country.'
But supporters were quick to point out Senator Hanson may be breaking the law.

Twitter users slammed the Senator for her actions, with one woman writing under the post: 'That's illegal, you fool'.
Another follower was even more unimpressed, telling Ms Hanson: 'Flying a drone over a populated zone is illegal and dangerous. I hope CASA fines you'.
On Facebook, the comments were more panicked than critical.

'Strooth [sic] Pauline! Don't let CASA see this video! Regulations!!!! Take the video down quickly,' wrote one man.
Others questioned whether Ms Hanson was flying in a no-fly zone, thus breaking a law.
The video opens to show Ms Hanson controlling the drone from the balcony of a an apartment or hotel building.
The camera then turns to show the drone move up and down as the Senator commentates in delight.
'Oh, you're probably wondering what I'm doing,' the Senator opens joyfully.
'Actually, I'm flying a drone here, first time ever.'
The Civil Aviation Safety Association prohibits flying within 30 metres of buildings, and flying over heavily populated areas.
Much of Townsville does appear to be a no-fly zone from what is available on the CASA app, but it is not clear where exactly she was at the time.

She is seen giggling and grinning as she plays with the expensive unmanned plane.
'Oh golly, as long as I keep it under 400 feet I'm right,' she exclaims.
'But anyway this is the first time I've ever done this, but, it's just having a go at it.'
Senator Hanson's spiel then takes a turn for the political, as she moves on to crack jokes about the light plane scandal that engulfed the party in May.
'Actually, it's not my drone, it's not my plane, it's James' drone! As it's James' plane,' she says.
'The plane the plane! The drone the drone!'
'Quite interesting,' she concludes.

(I'm not even gonna try to put in the videos!)

Here you go Cap'n -

And from the Courier Mail:

Pauline Hanson social media video sparks concerns she may have broken aviation regulations
Clare Armstrong, The Courier-Mail
July 6, 2017 10:09am

THE Civil Aviation Safety Authority is looking into whether Pauline Hanson defied regulations after her latest video sparked concerns.

Ms Hanson’s latest social media video features the senator flying a drone in Townsville.

The One Nation leader posted the video on Wednesday night which showed her standing on the balcony of a high-rise building in Townsville flying a drone.

The video was removed a few hours later.

Civil Aviation Safety Authority - CASA
· 3 hrs ·

Thanks to all those who have reported a potential breach of the drone safety rules in Townsville by Senator Hanson.
We’re reviewing the video and will take appropriate action.
Drone operators are reminded to make themselves aware of the drone safety rules and download our ‘Can I Fly There?’ app.



Not sure about where you can fly your drone? We’ve teamed up with Drone Complier to produce an easy-to-use smartphone app illustrating where you’re not allowed to fly. These areas include within 5.5km of controlled aerodromes,…
casa.gov.au

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority today said it was “reviewing the video and will take appropriate action”.

“I’m flying a drone here, first time ever … as long as I keep it under 400ft I’m right,” Ms Hanson said in the video.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever done this but I’m just having a go at it, and actually it’s not my drone, it’s not my plane, it’s James’ drone as it’s James’ plane.

“The plane, the plane, no now it’s the drone the drone,” she said.

Pauline Hanson with a One Nation plane that has raised questions about gift disclosure rules. Picture supplied

The Facebook video attracted several comments calling the legality of the drone use into question.

“Most of Townsville is a no flyzone, 400ft is only one of the rules,” one person wrote.

“Strooth (sic) Pauline, don’t let CASA see this video! Regulations! Take the video down quickly,” warned another commenter.

Others said Ms Hanson was “flying a drone in direct contrast to the civil aviation rules” and was illegally “flying over a populated area”.

It is not known why the video was taken down.

A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority told The Courier-Mail recreational drone operators do not need a certificate or license but must abide by regulations.

“This includes not flying within 30 metres of people or property, you can’t fly over crowds and must not fly higher than 400 feet (120 metres) in controlled airspaces,” he said.

The spokesman was unable to comment on Ms Hanson’s drone use.


The Courier-Mail understands there are parts of Townsville covered by a “no fly zone” but it is not known if Ms Hanson’s location falls within this regulated area.

Ms Hanson’s chief of staff James Ashby told The Courier-Mail late last night that the senator’s actions complied with CASA regulations.

Senator Hanson was flying the DJI Mavic drone outside of the three nautical mile radius of the Townsville control tower.

“The drone the Senator was operating is classified as very small RPA and weighs approximately 600 grams.

“We appreciate the concerns some Facebook users may have expressed, however safety was the Senator’s first priority,” he said.

Well at least Pauline knows at least one of the rules...

According to Mr Ross Meadows from ProFlight UAVs Part 101 quiz results (3  - Results of a survey tabled by Mr Ross Meadows at a public hearing held in Brisbane on 28 June 2017.), Pauline is in amongst a select group of 1.8% of drone owner/users who knows at least one of the rules for sub 2kg drones:

   
However thank God Pauline is in the vast majority who correctly know the answer for the maximum operating height a drone can be operated at without prior approval...

MTF...P2