Where does your airspace end?

[sidinz]

The increasing use of drones brings up questions of privacy and what is your personal space. For example, this in the Herald today:

The Real Estate Agent's Authority is warning estate agents to be aware of the risks when using radio controlled flying drones to video property.

It says drones should not be flown over other people's property without permission, and should only be used in daylight and not pose a hazard to people, property or other aircraft.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/property/news/article.cfm?c_id=8&objectid=11714933

But where does personal airspace end and 'public' airspace start? There is clearly some recognition that the airspace directly above a person's property is theirs, as shown by rules that allow overhanging neighbour's tree branches to be cut off at the boundary.

Just as clearly, air traffic altitude airspace does not belong to the property holder. So how many metres above the ground can be said to be private property and therefore a no-fly zone for unauthorised drones? I was originally thinking in terms of house/tree height plus a few, but then thought of multi-storey buildings.

Is this sort of thing already in law?

[donna]

Found this on the airshare website

New Zealand Civil Aviation Rules Top Tips:

There are 12 key things that are required under Part 101 - you must:

1. not operate an aircraft that is 25 kg or larger and always ensure that it is safe to operate
2. at all times take all practicable steps to minimize hazards to persons, property and other aircraft (ie, don’t do anything hazardous)
3. fly only in daylight
4. give way to all crewed aircraft
5. be able to see the aircraft with your own eyes (eg, not through binoculars, a monitor, or smartphone) to ensure separation from other aircraft (or use an observer to do this in certain cases)
6. not fly your aircraft higher than 120 metres (400 feet) above ground level (unless certain conditions are met)
7. have knowledge of airspace restrictions that apply in the area you want to operate
8. not fly closer than four kilometres from any aerodrome (unless certain conditions are met)
9. when flying in controlled airspace, obtain an air traffic control clearance issued by Airways (via airshare)
10. not fly in special use airspace without the permission of the controlling authority of the area (e.g. military operating areas or restricted areas)
11. have consent from anyone you want to fly above
12. have the consent of the property owner or person in charge of the area you are wanting to fly above.

Looking at those rules - there's no way they're adhered to - esp 'have consent from anyone you want to fly above.'

cheers,

Donna

[flyernzl]

Minimum height for a crewed aircraft (except for special ops and takeoff/landing) is 1000ft AGL over a built-up area and 500ft AGL elsewhere.