Operators of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) will now need approval to fly them over Thames-Coromandel District Council land.

Approval will be on a ‘case-by-case basis' and adheres to new Civil Aviation Authority rules introduced in August directing UAV and RPAS operators to contact local authorities for permission.

Professional drone users, such as real estate photographers, already register their flights with www.airshare.co.nz, even if they are only operating short flights.

Council says it will hold off making decisions about specific council-owned public parks or reserves until it develops a new Parks and Reserves bylaw in 2016.

Until then, approval will be given on a case-by-case basis once the following three conditions are also met:

• Permission is obtained from any other affected landowner if the vehicle or aircraft will also enter or cross over other people's private property.
• Permission is obtained to film a person or persons.
• The operator of the radio controlled vehicle or aircraft operates in a manner that does not contravene the Council's Public Places Bylaw

Once met, approval will also depend on whether the UAV or RPAS is likely to cause or create noise and annoyance to people in the vicinity of where it is being operated.

Applications may also need a Reserve Concession Form or Traffic Management Plan, and to find out call council's customer service team at 07-868-0200.

You can download an application form from the Thames-Coromandel District Council's website at: www.tcdc.govt.nz/drones