The Trinidad Ministry of National Security is clamping down on the use of aerial drones being operated by people to record personal and public events.
The Ministry has also advised against the use of laser lights, which can interfere with a pilot’s ability to land an aircraft safely.
Owners are being told to register the drones with the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority (TTCAA).
The United States last month issues a series of regulations regarding the use of drones, including that users had to register, with criminal penalties of up to three years in jail, or up to $250,000 in fines.
The following is the statement issued by the Ministry of National Security –
It has come to the attention of the Ministry of National Security that Unmanned Aerial Systems, commonly called drones, are being used in a manner that can cause danger to persons and property and may invade the privacy of persons. The Ministry of National Security is calling upon all members of the public, including all visitors, to exercise caution and avoid operating such devices over public buildings and spaces.
The public is advised that in keeping with the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Act, there are certain areas which are designated as No Fly Zones. The public is strongly encouraged to avoid operating drones in those areas as they may cause harm and injury to authorised users within the Zones. These No Fly Zones will be published in the media for the information of the public.
As we seek to promote the safety and security of the public, the Ministry of National Security in collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority (TTCAA) is calling on all persons owning or operating a drone to visit the TTCAA to have the drones registered, in keeping with current arrangements to address this issue.
The public is asked to observe the following:
• Drones should not be operated in any open air function or mass public gathering.
• Drones should not be flown at a height greater than 121 metres or 400 feet above the ground.
• Drones should not be operated in a manner that may endanger persons or property.
• Drones should not be operated within 5 kilometres from any manned aircraft operations including the boundary of the Piarco International and ANR Robinson International Airports.
t was also confirmed that some citizens had expressed concerns that drones might be used by unscrupulous individuals to “scope out” premises for future theft.
The ministry said drones were being used in a manner that could cause danger to people and property and might invade people’s privacy.
Ministry spokesman Marcia Hope said, “We have had a series of complaints from community members dating back to 2014 when the issue of drones first came onto the national spotlight. Those complaints have increased in frequency during 2015 to date.”
She said complaints have been received mostly from the Port-of-Spain, San Fernando and western areas of Trinidad where the use of drones was more prolific.
Both private citizens and businesses have complained about them.
“Private citizens have complained when their privacy is invaded or threatened and businesses when drone operators film activities, print and/or sell footage and images to business competitors, thus depriving them of revenue,” she added.
Asked if any areas were burglarised after drones were reported flying overhead, Hope said, “There is no evidence to either prove or disprove that.
“(But) members of the public have expressed fears that drones may be used to ‘scope out places for theft, etc. As recently as last week, one was observed flying close to the home of an individual who called the National Operations Centre and lodged a report.”
Asked if anyone had refused to stop flying it when asked to do so, Hope said the identity of the operator was sometimes not known as drones could be operated remotely from a secure location out of view.
Hope said the minister in collaboration with the Civil Aviation Authority of T&T was holding meetings and discussions with stakeholders to formulate a national policy to regulate the use of drones within T&T.
In the interim the ministry and Civil Aviation Authority (TTCAA) were calling on everyone owning or operating a drone to visit the TTCAA to have the drones registered.
The ministry has urged all members of the public, including visitors, to exercise caution and avoid operating such devices over public buildings and spaces.
It was also noted that in keeping with the T&T Civil Aviation Act, there were certain areas which were designated as no-fly zones.
The public is being encouraged to avoid operating drones in those areas as they may cause harm and injury to authorised users within the zones. The no-fly zones would be published in the media, the ministry stated.
LASERS
The shining of laser lights during aircraft landing or taking off is strictly prohibited by law. Persons caught so doing will be arrested and may be prosecuted in the Courts.
Source: Trinidad Express