Post by flyinkiwi on May 6, 2016 11:27:01 GMT 12
www.stuff.co.nz/national/79694384/drone-pilot-convicted-in-civil-aviation-authority-test-case
The drone pilot who recorded footage close to the scene of the fire has been convicted of breaching controlled airspace.
Simon Roy Reeve, 38, has been convicted on three charges involving flying his drone at Pines Beach, north of Christchurch, after a three-day Christchurch District Court trial last month.
Judge Gary MacAskill announced his findings from the judge-alone trial on Friday morning.
He convicted Reeve, 38, on charges of causing danger by operating his drone on January 5, and guilty of breaching controlled airspace on January 5 and 20.
He remanded Reeve at large – no bail was required – for sentence.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) which brought the prosecution, and defence counsel Rupert Glover will make submissions ahead of the sentencing.
The judge said he had found Reeve was not flying the drone at the same time a helicopter was fighting a fire at Pines Beach.
His full reserved decision was to be released to court reporters later on Friday.
The trial was shown aerial footage taken by the 2 kilogram drone during its flight at Pines Beach, north of Christchurch. The beach is close to Kaiapoi where Reeve lives.
The case is the first the CAA has launched against a drone operator.
Simon Roy Reeve, 38, has been convicted on three charges involving flying his drone at Pines Beach, north of Christchurch, after a three-day Christchurch District Court trial last month.
Judge Gary MacAskill announced his findings from the judge-alone trial on Friday morning.
He convicted Reeve, 38, on charges of causing danger by operating his drone on January 5, and guilty of breaching controlled airspace on January 5 and 20.
He remanded Reeve at large – no bail was required – for sentence.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) which brought the prosecution, and defence counsel Rupert Glover will make submissions ahead of the sentencing.
The judge said he had found Reeve was not flying the drone at the same time a helicopter was fighting a fire at Pines Beach.
His full reserved decision was to be released to court reporters later on Friday.
The trial was shown aerial footage taken by the 2 kilogram drone during its flight at Pines Beach, north of Christchurch. The beach is close to Kaiapoi where Reeve lives.
The case is the first the CAA has launched against a drone operator.
