12 Nov 2018

Airways seeing more drones near runways

From Morning Report, 7:46 am on 12 November 2018

Air Traffic controllers are warning drones flying in controlled airspaces is a growing problem and it could be catastrophic if one hits a plane. The controlled airpace around Wellington was closed for 30 minutes yesterday evening and flights were delayed after a drone was spotted flying dangerously close to the runway. It was at 600 feet, three kilometres from the end of the runway in the Evans Bay area, in breach of the Civil Aviation Authority rules. Airways' general manager of air traffic services, Tim Boyle, talks to Susie Ferguson.