NEWCASTLE DRONE FLIGHT INVESTIGATION
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is investigating an unauthorised drone flight at last weekend's Newcastle 500 Super Car race.
CASA detected the drone flying during a RAAF aircraft display flight and operating above the trackside area.
Using mobile drone surveillance equipment CASA was able to pin point the location of the person flying the drone as well as the precise flight path of the drone.
CASA uses mobile drone surveillance equipment at public events and gatherings to ensure drones do not pose a risk to the community.
Enquiries are continuing in relation to the drone flight at Newcastle on Saturday 23 November to gather more evidence to determine if there were serious breaches of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations.
Alleged breaches of the drone safety rules may include flying a drone in a way that threatens the safety of a person, operating in a way that threatens the safety of an aircraft and endangering a life of a person.
Penalties for breaches of the drone safety rules include fines of up to $10,500 and imprisonment of up to five years.
The drone was detected in close proximity to the RAAF FA-18 Hornet aircraft display flight and flying over people at the race.
Drones must never be flown when aircraft are operating as they pose a risk of a mid air collision. Drones must never be flown over crowds or groups of people or within 30 metres of a person.
