Drone users are thought to be the fastest-growing cohort in New Zealand aviation. Photo / Mike Scott
Loose drone rules would cause problems for farmers and potentially put the public at risk, an aviation group says.
The Aviation Industry Association (AIANZ) broadly welcomed aviation rule reforms the Government announced this week.
But it said there was no quick fix for the fast-growing agricultural drone sector.
Association vice-president Dr Isaac Henderson said the industry supported government moves to improve farmer access to agricultural drones.
“While the current certification system can be cumbersome for farmers undertaking drone operations on their own properties, it exists to protect people and property, and any changes need to maintain that protection.”
He said loose rules around big, fast agricultural spray drones could lead to serious harm.
“We need to see a licensing and rating system that enables agrichemical application by drone on an operator’s own property,” Henderson added.
“Until such a system exists, simplification risks throwing out the baby with the bathwater.”
David Seymour, Minister for Regulation, said this week’s announcement was an opportunity for farmers.
“The Ministry for Regulation was told a drone might hit a cow, but so might a tractor, and yet there are not Byzantine licensing rules for using a tractor on your own farm.”
Henderson said it would be wrong to assume drone operations on a farmer’s “own property” were low risk.
He said risk extended beyond property boundaries to neighbouring properties, public infrastructure, and other airspace users.
“What if a farmer, operating a 100-150kg drone at speed along a boundary next to a state highway, had a flyaway or system failure? That aircraft could strike a vehicle, with a high likelihood of fatal outcomes.”
He said agricultural drone spraying involved serious environmental risks that should be managed through appropriate safeguards.
“Operators need to be trained, aircraft need to be properly maintained, and risks need to be actively managed,” he added.
“If we are serious about increasing productivity, we cannot expose high-value sectors such as viticulture to unacceptable chemical risk.”
Henderson said risks could be managed through training and rating requirements.
Drone training and consultancy provider Fenix UAS welcomed the Government aviation rule reform programme but warned against rash deregulation.
Fenix UAS director Dr Andrew Shelley said drones were revolutionising agriculture, defence, policing, civil defence and search and rescue.
He said the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) currently restricted flight radio telephony operator training for drone operators to an Australian company with a limited New Zealand presence.
Shelley said Australia had taken a “hands-off approach” to farm drone use which would be risky in New Zealand.
He said Australia’s often flat terrain and wide open spaces were very different from New Zealand’s geography.
He said damage to orchards from spray drift was more likely if the country had a proliferation of untrained and unlicensed drone operators.
He said the core problem was the lack of a remote pilot licence for drone operators.
Operators needing to operate outside current restrictions had to apply to the CAA, he said.
He said the authority would approve a certificate if it was satisfied the operator’s proposed operating procedures adequately controlled risks.
A certification bottleneck was currently in place with waiting times as long as 18 months, Shelley said.
Associate Transport Minister James Meager this week said the reform programme would modernise civil aviation rules, enabling 20 years of changes in two years.
He said the programme would enable drone use in agricultural operations, while avoiding unnecessary compliance cost burdens.
Some of the 23 changes are outlined below.
Airports
The change aimed to fix issues with RESA length requirements and allow for the use of arresting systems, which absorbed aircraft kinetic energy in case of a runway excursion.
The project aimed to enhance security on international flights.
The CAA said the project would “improve alignment with international best practice for aircraft security checks and searches”.
Airlines
The project aimed to align with multiple Icao security standards for air cargo, including catering and in-flight supplies, to reduce the risk of dangerous items boarding aircraft.
Foreign maintenance, repair and overhaul organisations would be recognised from countries with safety and oversight standards in line with New Zealand’s. Aircraft, engine or propeller modifications from the European Union would be allowed, as they already were from the United States, Australia and Canada.
Drones
The project would investigate effective ways to enable agricultural drone use while avoiding unnecessary compliance costs.
The project would review current Icao standards about drones, including for airworthiness and for communication between pilots and drones.
Passengers
The project aimed to modernise rules about carrying portable electronic devices such as cellphones, AirTags and AirPods. Currently, power banks, AirPods and vapes must go in carry-on luggage, not in the hold.
Rockets
The work aimed to address gaps in rocket classifications and oversight and build a “future‑proof framework” for managing rocket launches.
Training
The CAA aimed for clearer and more flexible pathways for pilot qualifications.
The CAA would consider licensing and training needs for new technologies such as powered lift and electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft.
John Weekes is a business journalist covering aviation. He previously covered consumer affairs, crime, politics and courts.
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