Drone users hang up their controls amid stringent rules


Haneen Dajani
  • English
  • Arabic

The rules surrounding drone ownership have left owners confused at times. They differ for commercial filmmakers and private owners, and retailers have not always been clear about how to meet them.

Ahmed Al Saeedy, a 25-year-old Egyptian, bought his drone two years ago from Virgin Megastore without having to register the device nor apply for a licence.

Since then, new civil aviation rules have come into place and meant that drone users must register with the authorities, to ensure, for example, they could not cause an accident and escape without punishment.

"I used it back then, but when the licence decision was issued I stopped because I did not have time to apply for a licence," he said.

Mr Al Saeedy would only use the 2-km range drone on holiday, and said only if he is clear about the regulations.

Fellow owner Hosam Zaher had to register his drone with the aviation authorities when he bought it more than a year ago.

"Obviously one cannot fly it around an airport. I know there were many incidents when Dubai airport had to stop flights because of that," he said.

But the Palestinian said he now fears any use could lead to an accident that he does not want to risk. He lost control while flying it in the desert and it fell out of the sky.

"Thank God it crashed in the sand not on someone's head" said Mr Al Saeedy said.

Mr Zaher, a multi-media specialist, bought a long range, 4-km drone more than a year ago and realised he would have to go through a training course to become a legal owner.

"We got it for our company, but they told us we had to register and choose an exam category and so on."

With the announcement of new regulations, hobbyists will either need to update their drones so it can comply with the latest rules or get new ones to ensure that it has a serial number.

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At a glance

Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.

 

Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year

 

Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month

 

Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30 

 

Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse

 

Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth

 

Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances

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Top New Zealand cop on policing the virtual world

New Zealand police began closer scrutiny of social media and online communities after the attacks on two mosques in March, the country's top officer said.

The killing of 51 people in Christchurch and wounding of more than 40 others shocked the world. Brenton Tarrant, a suspected white supremacist, was accused of the killings. His trial is ongoing and he denies the charges.

Mike Bush, commissioner of New Zealand Police, said officers looked closely at how they monitored social media in the wake of the tragedy to see if lessons could be learned.

“We decided that it was fit for purpose but we need to deepen it in terms of community relationships, extending them not only with the traditional community but the virtual one as well," he told The National.

"We want to get ahead of attacks like we suffered in New Zealand so we have to challenge ourselves to be better."