Drones have risen in popularity and visibility over the last few years. The miniature aircraft have become a fun pastime for some, while others have turned their flying skills into business ventures. These drones are often seen during special events, like carnival, Pan Yaad, and the La Ruta Maya, but today the Department of Civil Aviation issued a press release warning pilots on the strict rules for operating their machines during this weekend's canoe race. We spoke to the Department's C-O-O, Nigel Carter, about this warning and other drone regulations...
Nigel Carter, COO - Department of Aviation
"The department of civil aviation is the regulatory body charge with oversight of aviation activities in Belize. What that means is anything that operates in Belize's air space, we are charge with oversight and ensuring safety of those passengers in the aircraft and those persons that those aircraft flies over."
"We found it prudent to issue our press release on the operation of drones during the La Ruta Maya River Challenge. You know that there is many people who are going to be on the river banks that are going to be witnessing the race. We also know that this race passes along routes that pass near airports. We found it prudent that we tell the general public that the operation of drones in specific areas is not the best thing to do. We must protect the aircraft that are landing at these airports and as such we are establishing specific areas that are prohibited and we are also issuing guidelines on the operation of drones throughout the rest of the route of the race."
"With reference from Young Bank Village to the Banana Bank Lodge, that area passes very near to the Belmopan airport (Hector Silva Airport) and the aircraft, they are more frequent flight operations into the Belmopan airport and as such we found it prudent that we protect that."
"With reference to Burrell Boom to the Haulover Bridge, obviously the international airport is located in the vicinity and that area must be protected as well."
"There are general rules that apply for all drone operations. Drone operations are not permitted within 5 miles radius of any airport whether that airport is public or private. We limit the height that you can operate drones to a maximum of 400 feet and as we move closer into aerodromes we reduce the maximum allowable altitudes."
"Also with reference to flight over persons, that's prohibited as well. The hours of operation of drones are during daylight operations and so forth."
Alex Courtenay, 7News
"A lot of people are not aware of these rules, but they do go on and they purchase their drones. What are some of the penalties that these people would be facing for breaking these policies?"
Nigel Carter, COO - Department of Aviation
"There are general penalties prescribe in the civil aviation act for the endangering safety and so those will be applied as necessary. The department is also working on more specific legislation that will give guidance on the use of drones. It will serve to better protect prohibited areas. It will reinforce or make the punitive actions more efficient and it will also give force to certain regulations that we've developed already and we feel that these regulations will assist us in giving guidance on how the media commercial operators and recreational users can operate drones in Belize."
Anyone wanting to operate a drone during the La Ruta Maya can contact the Department of Civil Aviation to get a special permit. It should be noted that this permit does not give drone pilots permission to film the race.
Email
Print