The Tribune

Re: Drones Regulations (Civil Aviation Dept. - Reg. No. 1 of 2016 dd. 2016-02-01)

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I read that this am and noted that it does not say “drones” as we have come to use the term for multi-propeller radio controlled aerial photography devices/platforms, but rather “unmanned and remotely piloted aircraft” which would include ALL radio controlled airplanes, helicopters and drones...and debatably even kites which are be controlled...hmmm...kite sailing too?

Seems totally unenforceable.

I wonder what they will do with the radio-controlled field which Govt donated to the enthusiasts/hobbyist group by the stadium. They break most or those rules every weekend, and have done for 20+ years.

Also, if you draw an arc five nautical miles east from the centre of LOP airport, that will mean the entire west side of Nassau from “Go Slow Bend,” through Burger King Harrold Road, and south to Bonefish Pond is off limits totally for flying! (The R/C field is safe, just, but still breaks other parts of this “law”.)

As there is almost nowhere east of that arc where you would not be within 500’ (radius, 1,000’ circle) of a “populated area,” or “100 feet from a vehicle or structure,” the island of New Providence is a “no-Fly zone”. (Use Google Earth and the Ruler feature to prove this).

Seems a bit unimportant legislature considering everything else which is wrong in this country....and, of course, you will be illegal (and subject to fine?) if you don’t get your ass down to Civil Aviation by the end of the month and register your existing drone, radio controlled, helicopter, airplane and kite?...and we don’t really expect it to be free of charge do we?

Like gun licenses where legal persons are penalised monetarily for registering their fire arms (fined additional $50 for being late) while the illegal ones proliferate.

“They” have been talking about this for over a year and this is what “they” come up with? In two minutes I can spot the ridiculousness of it.

Why didn’t “they” just say “drones with cameras” are banned in Nassau because “we” don’t want anyone to spy on my any crookedness going on in “we” house?

My 2¢ rant.

JL

Nassau,

February 4, 2016.