New Zealand Air Line Pilots’ Association

For Immediate Release

18 September 2012

Wellington ‘Unmanned Drone’ Poses Significant Safety Risk

New Zealand Air Line Pilots’ Association (NZALPA) believes unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV’s) pose a significant safety risk to the air traffic environment in and around New Zealand Airports; these remotely controlled vehicles are not ready to take to the skies alongside commercial aircraft.

“NZALPA opposed Sycamore’s proposed Wellington UAV operation last year, and as a result of this action it was restricted to the uncontrolled General Aviation area, this is well away from commercial traffic or controlled areas” said Stu Julian, Technical Director.

Regulations that govern the safe operation of aircraft are constantly evolving and international best practices for UAV operations are not due to come into effect until November this year. Because of this, current approvals being issued for UAV operations cannot adequately provide guidance and procedures to ensure their safe use alongside regular air traffic.

Mr Julian states “There are very distinct hazards with these types of operations as the design and the overall operation of UAV’s do not meet commercial aircraft standards. They do not carry the required equipment to be seen by Air Traffic Control radar systems, so separation with other aircraft cannot be assured.”

It is a topical issue in the aviation world and NZALPA is currently working through international organisations to get this topic managed safely. “Other countries such as the USA and UK have some very good guidance on the operation of UAV’s, but an overriding theme is they are just not yet ready to fly alongside commercial aircraft” states Mr Julian.

The UK CAA Policy states that “a Unmanned Aerial Operation (UAS) must meet at least the same safety and operational standards as manned aircraft...they must not present or create a greater hazard to persons, property, vehicles or vessels, whilst in the air or on the ground”

Until a robust solution from design to operation is developed to facilitate the safe operation of UAV’s, the NZ Authorities carry the responsibility and liability for any adverse outcomes by this type of operation. We will continue our work to achieve the safest solutions for this type of operation.

ENDS

About NZALPA - Established in 1945, NZALPA is an internationally affiliated professional trade union for New Zealand pilots and air traffic controllers. Our diverse membership includes General Aviation and commercial pilots, flight instructors and approximately 400 of New Zealand’s air traffic controllers in the employ of Airways NZ.

NZALPA was one of the 13 founding states of IFALPA - the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations, an organisation founded to represent the interests of over 100,000 pilots worldwide. IFALPA membership is dispersed through 101 Member Associations who work together as the ‘global voice of pilots’.

In 1965, air traffic controllers joined the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations (IFATCA), which represents 50,000 air traffic controllers worldwide. NZALPA is one of 130 Member Associations affiliated to IFATCA, and has remained an active member in all aspects since joining.

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