Here is an article on Gizmodo Australia which referenced an article in an local newspaper.
It details again how someone decided that rules weren't for them and went ahead and flew anyway.
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A NEAR-miss between a Westpac rescue helicopter and a drone above Broadmeadow is under investigation by safety authorities.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will interview the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service crew involved in the incident, which occurred near the crew’s Broadmeadow base on Saturday night.
The helicopter was returning from the John Hunter Hospital about 10pm when it spotted lights at about 1000 feet.
Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service spokesman Glen Ramplin said the crew originally thought the lights belonged to a larger aircraft further away.
When they realised it was a smaller object nearby, the crew took evasive action to avoid a collision.
http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2175901/rescue-helicopters-near-miss-with-drone-at-broadmeadow/
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I am currently just a lurker but this really frustrates me as I hope to be able to one day get a drone (my AR Drone doesn't count) and fly it simply by following the rules and some common sense. Perhaps amateur licensing is the way to go.
One of the comments on the Gizmodo article sums it up nicely "Ahhh, the amateur drone pilot. The modern day jet skier."
Comments
Andrew, please don't post on here that its OK to fly above 400 feet. Even if in your bizarre interpretation of CASR 101 you come to the conclusion that you're allowed to fly above 400 feet, logic states that the ideal way to separate manned aircraft and unmanned is for unmanned aircraft to stay out of air traffic control areas and below 400ft. On top of this you also need to keep an eye on your surroundings as their could be a westpac chopper, hang glider, manned survey aircraft etc flying below 400ft and you'll need to land pretty quickly.
You'll have to read through CASR101 yourself and come to your own conclusions. I wouldn't rely on CASA's interpretation, even if it was in writing and especially if it appears to contradict the CASRs. For example, the URL you quote implies that model aircraft can only be flown at a designated area - highlighting this as a key difference between models and UASs, when clearly the CASR's allow otherwise.
Hi Andrew, I'm still confused. The section you have referred to relates to 'model aircraft' which by the CASA's definition is different from 'Unmanned aerial Systems' (see this page from CASA: http://www.casa.gov.au/scripts/nc.dll?WCMS:STANDARD::pc=PC_100375).
I left a message for CASA today and anticipate a callback tomorrow. I want to confirm the laws regarding operation of a UAV for private use. In addition, I have heard and read that CASA might be making it easier soon for people to operate a UAV for commercial purposes. It could be as simple as completing an online form for a certain weight class of UAV and paying a small fee. I hope this is true :-)
It's all in CASR101, most notably for us DIY'ers is 101.400
@Andrew, can you please elaborate further regarding Australian airspace? My understanding is that you have to remain at 400 feet AGL, stay away from populated areas and a certain distance from airports.
It would be nice if someone could provide information with more detail that is accurate that would be great.
Also, it would be fantastic if someone could provide precise information on radio frequencies that can be used in Australia. I'm afraid to operate my long range system (433mhz) in case I'm breaking the law or worse, interfering with a radio frequency that could put lives at risk.
I would like to do the right thing and not ruin it for everyone else.
On a side note, I have noticed a rise again in "GPS fly aways" or random fly aways of 'off the shelf' multicopters. It can happen to anyone but I primarily notice the DJI Phantom seems to be the culprit. I search using the keyword 'quadcopter' daily on gumtree looking for parts and notice the 'lost and found' section has at least three on average that are missing or found.
I'd like to make it clear that there is no blanket 400' limit for the operation of UAV's in Australian airspace.
@Martin, kinda missing the point here.
It is not about if this particular case is BS or not. You and me both know that people all over the world are flying places they aren't supped to. We need to find a way to educate and make people understand the risks, so that we avoid a bad accident in the future and even more bad press about UAS that will shape the public opinion and lead to excessively strong regulations being put into action.
At 1000 feet I would suspect a pilot or the onboard medic on a rescue helicopter returning from a hospital may have had other things on their mind rather than quick get a photo.
Also at 10pm at night I doubt many phone cameras would have picked up the few lights that would have been on a drone.
Like the other stories of pilots spotting a so called drone and still no physical proof or pictures. I call BS.
Most people have some sort of camera in their phone to take pictures or video as shown on the news every night. Not saying it can't happen but nothing has been substantiated.
I can think of no worst a close call for a drone pilot to have than to get in the way of one of the Westpac Rescue Helicopters, Careflight, Angel Flight or the RFDS.
Considering the altitude (way above allowable limit), the location (over densely populated), the time (night - total darkness) and the aircraft involved (most essential air service we have in Oz), I would not be surprised if CASA really go to town on this pilot if they can track them down.
Certainly illustrates the importance of lighting your craft up like a Christmas tree before you go flying at night though. Strobe is also essential.
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