UAV flights on the rise - 25,000 recorded in two years

The number of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) flights in New Zealand is rapidly increasing according to the latest figures from airshare.co.nz. So, those lucky enough to be gifted a UAV this Christmas are reminded to make sure they know their responsibilities before taking to the skies.

Anyone wanting to fly a UAV in New Zealand must follow strict Civil Aviation regulations and in some cases may need approval from air traffic control. Airshare is an online hub giving users access to the flight information, tools and training they need to operate safely.  Run by New Zealand’s air navigation services provider Airways, Airshare is also the only platform allowing users to log flights directly with air traffic control.
 
More than 3,500 UAV operators have registered with the site since its launch in June 2014 and 25,000 flights have been logged in the past two years– 10,000 of these have been in the last six months alone.
 
“Safety is the key priority for Airways so we’re delighted at how enthusiastically UAV users, both recreational and commercial, have adopted Airshare to log flights and get airspace information,” Airways Chief Operating Officer Pauline Lamb says.
 
“However, we suspect there are many more who may unwittingly be putting others at risk. If UAVs are not used responsibly they can pose serious risks to commercial and recreational aviation operations. We ask that users take the time to have a look at Airshare, even if they’re simply taking their model helicopter for a spin locally.”
 
Flight data recorded through Airshare also gives an insight into where New Zealanders are using their UAVs.
 
Around half of logged UAV flights happen in controlled airspace – the areas of airspace managed by air traffic controllers. Auckland’s Whenuapai control zone records the most flights with around 50 per week. The zone includes most of Auckland’s North Shore and extends out to the Waitakere Ranges.
 
Christchurch is in second place, followed by Tauranga and the Auckland control zone, which includes the central and southern parts of the city.
 
For those who do get a UAV under the Christmas tree this year, Airshare’s Drone 101 course is a great starting point to get your bearings.
 
Drone 101 Training can be accessed via a mobile device (IOS and Android) or desktop and covers helpful tips, Civil Aviation rules and six useful checklists to guide users through a drone flight from start to finish.

ENDS

For more information:
Emily Davies
Head of Public Affairs
Airways New Zealand
Email: communications@airways.co.nz
Mobile:  +64 21 815 149
 
About Airshare
Airshare is the central hub for UAV commercial and recreational users in New Zealand, helping people to quickly discover where they can fly, understand Civil Aviation Rules and keep up-to-date with news. 
It has been developed by Airways in partnership with Callaghan Innovation, UAVNZ, and the CAA.

About Airways New Zealand
Airways is a world-leading commercial Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP), and operates in New Zealand as a State-Owned Enterprise (SOE).
We look after key aviation infrastructure around New Zealand and manage the more than 1 million traffic movements per year into and around New Zealand’s 30 million square kilometres of airspace.
Airways provides air traffic control and engineering training, and has delivered air traffic management, Flight yield revenue management solutions, navigation services and consultancy in more than 65 countries.
For more information about Airways please visit www.airways.co.nz