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Civil Aviation Regulation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 January 2019

Tuesday, 15 January 2019

Ceisteanna (917)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

917. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the licensing and registration of all drones and drone owners; his plans to make a 10 sq. km exclusion zone for drones around airports in the interest of public safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1100/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The new EU Regulation 2018/1139 on common rules in the field of civil aviation, provides for the regulation of drones and drone operators, including licensing and registration. This Regulation lays down detailed standards for all aspects of the design and operation of drones, and the first set of implementing rules for the operation of drones is currently being developed.

Until these new pan-European rules enter into force, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) will continue to apply the existing national regulatory requirements in accordance with S.I. 563 of 2015 for the registration and operation of drones.

Ireland is to the forefront in regulating drone use and was one of the first States globally to require the registration of drones in 2015. Ireland remains one of only a small number of EU States that currently has a drone registration system in place.

Currently, all drones operating in the State with a mass of 1 kg or greater are required to be registered via a portal on the IAA Website. Registration is also required for drones with a mass of less than 1 kg, where the operator wishes to fly at or above 15 metres above the ground (or water). When a drone is registered, there are restrictions where it may be flown and it is limited to an operating height of 120 metres above the ground (or water), unless specifically permitted by the IAA.

S.I. 563 of 2015 sets the requirements for drone operations in the vicinity of aerodromes. For aerodromes within controlled airspace, such as Dublin, Cork, Shannon and Ireland West at Knock, S.I. 563 of 2015 prohibits the operation of drones except as permitted by the IAA.

For aerodromes in uncontrolled airspace, such as Kilkenny, Abbeyshrule and Birr, a drone may not be operated within 5 km of an aerodrome during periods of aircraft operations, unless the aerodrome operator or the IAA has given permission.

Currently the IAA has prescribed two methods for permitting the operation of drones within controlled airspace.

- Aeronautical Notice U 02 – provides for a permission to be obtained from the IAA for drone operations within controlled airspace, under strict conditions. This specific operating permission can provide for managed drone operations in close proximity to an aerodrome, and will only be issued to IAA approved drone operator organisations.

- Aeronautical Notice U 04, which permits the operation of registered drones, from surface to 50 feet above ground level, without a specific operating permission in certain areas within controlled airspace. These areas are depicted in the Notice and are outside the vicinity of aerodromes by a minimum of 3000 metres. The no fly zones associated with these aerodromes vary in dimension. The extent of these dimensions have been derived using a risk based approach coupled with ICAO Annex 14 aeronautical surface penetration calculation criteria.

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