Drone operators are being warned about rules for flying after a drone forced the grounding of firefighting aircraft battling a blaze on Tasmania’s Bruny Island. Tasmania police said the aircraft had to be grounded because firefighting efforts at Conleys Point, south Bruny, were being hampered by a drone flown in the area, putting community safety at risk. “This is a reminder to all operators of drones to not fly near aircraft at any time,” police said. Under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority rules, drones cannot be flown over or near an area affecting public safety or where emergency operations are under way without prior approval. These may include car crashes, police operations, fires and firefighting efforts, and search and rescue operations.

Source: The Guardian December 26, 2018 01:52 UTC