[Peetwo]

Drone Wars Update: CC warns against using Purdy -

Comardy Capers once again proves how out of touch with reality he and his Fort Fumble minions truly are when it comes to drones, via the Oz: 

Aviation safety watchdog’s warning to anti-drone vigilantes

’CASA has no interest in discouraging the responsible development and controlled deployment of effective counter-drone technologies’.

• The Australian
  
• 12:00AM August 11, 2017
  
• [size=undefined]ANNABEL HEPWORTH
  
  Aviation Editor
  Sydney
  @HepworthAnnabel
  [img=0x0]https://i1.wp.com/pixel.tcog.cp1.news.com.au/track/component/author/d4b891a093ad6ddc703117011dc4fd61/?esi=true&t_product=the-australian&t_template=s3/austemp-article_common/vertical/author/widget&td_bio=false[/img][/size]
  

The aviation safety watchdog has warned against “unlawful vigilantism” by people to jam or destroy drones they feel have intruded on them.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has sounded the alarm about sophisticated “counter-drone” technologies used in a “dangerous and unlawful” way in response to drones.

In a discussion paper for a landmark review into drones, CASA says remotely piloted aircraft have been linked to the ­delivery of contraband to prisons, interfering with firefighting operations and encroaching into ­controlled airspace — leading to technologies being developed to thwart drones.

“Understandable though the frustration and indignation of people may be when they believe that their rights have been intruded upon by an irresponsible or malevolent RPA operator, it is important not to encourage­ ­potentially dangerous and unlawful vigilantism,” the discussion paper says.

“The uncontrolled use of counter-drone technology could create more problems than it is ­intended to solve.

“At the same time, however, CASA has no interest in discouraging the responsible development and controlled deployment of effective counter-drone technologies. Such technologies can serve important and beneficial purposes without un­acceptably compromising safety.”

There are concerns drones could be used to invade people’s privacy, including when they are skinny-dipping in backyard pools. It is estimated 50,000 drones are used in Australia as they become cheaper.

The discussion paper canvasses requiring hobbyists to register the devices, including asking for feedback on whether there should be a minium age for ­people to operate drones.

The paper flags the possibility of mandatory training before people fly drones. Also under consideration is “geo-fencing”, which uses GPS or other radio frequencies to exclude drones from certain areas, although there are concerns the technology could itself be a safety risk.

CASA asks for feedback on whether the use of recreational drones should be “prohibited completely until the actual and perceived safety risks they pose has been effectively mitigated”.

The authority’s chief executive, Shane Carmody, also notes that drone technology could ­deliver “a multitude of beneficial humanitarian, economic and recreational applications” and says that commercial opportunities should not be unnecessarily constrained.

Do you think Old MacDonald, from the back of Burke, is going to think twice about blowing a drone out of the air with two barrels from the Purdy, just because Dr A and wingnut Carmody say it is unlawful? - next they'll be saying it is unlawful to be thinking of going flying while under the influence...    

Meanwhile it is quite legal to be sipping a Chardy heavily under the influence and at the same time operating a drone while at a BBQ in the local park - UDB!


MTF...P2