Ensuring the safe and efficient use of New Zealand’s airspace

PRESS RELEASE 28 September 2015

Aviation New Zealand works to unite the aviation industry to ensure the safe and efficient use of New Zealand’s airspace.

“The high-profile incident reported by an A320 over Kaiapoi on Saturday has focused attention on the UAV (drone) sector. At the moment we don’t know what the object was – so it’s important that we await the outcome of the CAA investigation on that.

There is currently a lot of speculation that it was a UAV, commonly known as a drone – although it’s unlikely that a drone would have the technical capability to fly at that height.

Nevertheless, this incident has focused attention on the need for UAV operations to be safely and efficiently integrated into the NZ aviation system and that is a key goal of Aviation NZ and our newest Division, UAVNZ” said Aviation NZ Chief Executive Samantha Sharif.

“UAVNZ represents NZ Commercial UAV operators and we are committed to the safe and responsible growth of the UAV industry” “We are creating a binding Code of Conduct for our members covering the expectation that they will understand and adhere to Civil Aviation Rules, act responsibly and safely, and respect existing privacy laws. We believe our members know the Civil Aviation Rules and abide by them so it makes sense to formalise this as a code of conduct “” said Shaun Mitchell, Chairman of UAVNZ, the national industry organisation for Unmanned Aircraft.

UAVNZ are collaborators on www.airshare.co.nz and suggest people visit airshare to learn about safely flying drones.

© Scoop Media