SACAA denies struggling with UAV guidelines

Cape Town - The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) says it is on track with the finalization of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) regulations – due to be released in March 2015. 

Ii-hls.com reports the aviation authority has denied that it is struggling to formulate these new rules, as various industries – including tourism, film and conservation grapple with the financial implications caused by ban on the use of UAVs. 

In April 2014, SACAA said it would clamp down on anyone operating a UAV illegally, instituting a R50 000 fine or up to ten years in prison, or both.

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Since there are no guidelines in place it is illegal to use drones in public airspace. Despite this JP Smith, the City of Cape Town's Mayco Member for Safety and Security recently announced that the City aims to test drones as a more cost-effective surveillance measure, within the next two months. 

According to Smith, the different departments within the City – Metro Police, Disaster Management, Fire and Rescue and Engineering departments – have had to spend money on hiring helicopters for aerial surveillance, compared to use of drones at an estimated cost of  R600 000. Drones would be used to monitor land occupations, crime, scrap yards suspected of harbouring stolen copper, shack fires and disasters.  

And while the use of UAVs remains a contentious regulation issue worldwide, online retail giant Amazon has just unveiled a new Drone Store to “cater for all creative aerial needs”. 

ZD Net reports the dedicated unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) section will host recreational and photography-base drones, ranging in price from $99 (about R1 092 at R11.03/$) to over $1 000.