Safe Drone Academy

06/02/2024

Interesting court case today.

Very rough calculations, and many variables to consider, but a 6kg Unmanned Aircraft falling from 120m agl has a potential impact energy of approximately 1900J.

Research shows an impact of 80J to a human skull could result in an Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) 3 serious injury. The skull is the most vulnerable human body part when considering falling objects from above.

If we assume only a small fraction of that 1900J impact energy was transferred on contact with a person's skull, say a glancing blow, you can still imagine the transferred energy would be well in excess of 80J, and so very likely to cause a serious injury or much worse!!!

You can't beat physics. Fly your drones well away from uninvolved persons unless risk is correctly mitigated and you are correctly approved.

Operating on the basis 'sure nothing happened the last time' is actually defined as operating out of control and relying on luck to ensure nothing happens.

The incident happened at the Galway Shopping Centre on the Headford Road in October 2022.

01/07/2023

Busy week!!

Safe Drone Academy welcomed the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to its training facilities for an audit as part of a wider IAA audit. EASA reviewed our training syllabus, manuals, and online exam system in addition to our wider operations planning portal, and operations manual.

Glad to say it all went very well and we continue our operations with an added spring to our step!

Always a challenge to have outside inspectors review your system but we were confident in what we were doing. We work hard to do it right.

Why not join the ever-growing Safe Drone Academy community. https://safedrone.ie/upcoming-drone-courses/

07/02/2023

The recent drone activity at Dublin airport encouraged us to put a little article together on the issues with operating drones at major protected airports. Let us know what you think.

https://academy.safedrone.ie/blog/dublin-airport-drones?site_template_id=5f2413b952f57811884f7a31

18/01/2023

****Updated Geographic Zones****

Great news for Open Category operators, the IAA have just released an update to 'Aeronautical Notice U2 (AN U2)'. Effective immediately (12th January 2023), the update permits much improved access to the national airspace for Open Category operators. To aid understanding of the detail in AN U2, the IAA have also released an online digital map (see links).

This update is a wonderful addition to UAS operations in Ireland and is very welcomed.

Note 1: The digital map is a work in progress and should be considered 'BETA'. At Safe Drone Academy, we have noted some discrepancies between what AN U2 (legal notice) states and the digital map portrays. AN U2 takes precedence and so should be followed. The digital map has a disclaimer that it should not be used for navigation purposes.

Of note in particular, AN U2 states the RED zones around the 8 major airports in the country are for Specific Category operations with ATC approval only. In contradiction, the digital map states Open Category operations are permitted with ATC approval. We have sought clarity from the IAA and will revert with an update when available. Suffice to say we recommend operators and remote pilots observe AN U2 requirements.

Note 2: DJI apps and other manufacturer apps are not a reliable source for regulatory airspace information and should not be relied upon for commercial or recreational operations.

Aeronautical Notice U2: https://www.iaa.ie/docs/default-source/publications/aeronautical-notices/u---unmanned-aircraft/aeronautical-notice-u-04-direction-for-uas-geographical-zones-issue-18.pdf?sfvrsn=d57219f3_8

Online Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1gz6TMauJMGXrEDi5SIhZ9XPmg2CFFVg&ll=52.56608721594701%2C-5.675948987428917&z=8

18/01/2023

****Updated Geographic Zones****

Great news for Open Category operators, the IAA have just released an update to 'Aeronautical Notice U2 (AN U2)'. Effective immediately (12th January 2023), the update permits much improved access to the national airspace for Open Category operators. To aid understanding of the detail in AN U2, the IAA have also released an online digital map (see links).

This update is a wonderful addition to UAS operations in Ireland and is very welcomed.

Note 1: The digital map is a work in progress and should be considered 'BETA'. At Safe Drone Academy, we have noted some discrepancies between what AN U2 (legal notice) states and the digital map portrays. AN U2 takes precedence and so should be followed. The digital map has a disclaimer that it should not be used for navigation purposes.

Of note in particular, AN U2 states the RED zones around the 8 major airports in the country are for Specific Category operations with ATC approval only. In contradiction, the digital map states Open Category operations are permitted with ATC approval. We have sought clarity from the IAA and will revert with an update when available. Suffice to say we recommend operators and remote pilots observe AN U2 requirements.

Note 2: DJI apps and other manufacturer apps are not a reliable source for regulatory airspace information and should not be relied upon for commercial or recreational operations.

Aeronautical Notice U2: https://www.iaa.ie/docs/default-source/publications/aeronautical-notices/u---unmanned-aircraft/aeronautical-notice-u-04-direction-for-uas-geographical-zones-issue-18.pdf?sfvrsn=d57219f3_8

Online Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1gz6TMauJMGXrEDi5SIhZ9XPmg2CFFVg&ll=52.56608721594701%2C-5.675948987428917&z=8

26/10/2022

Have your say on UAS Geozones in Ireland.

The IAA have launched a public consultation on the location, shape, size and access rights to Geographic Zones in Ireland. Make sure to have a look and have your say.

https://www.iaa.ie/general-aviation/drones/ugz_consultation_2022

25/08/2022

The DJI Avata looks like a nice new FPV drone. It is sure to be a popular little aircraft.

But how can it be operated legally under EU regulations? As a 'legacy' aircraft with an MTOM of approximately 410g, it can currently be flown under Open A1 rules.

The Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF) on Open A1.

1. Remote Pilot with a valid Open A1/A3 Proof of Online Training certificate.

2. VLOS Operations. When the Remote pilot operates this drone under FPV goggles, an Unmanned Aircraft Observer (VO) must be briefed and used. The VO must be positioned alongside the remote pilot who still maintains overall responsibility for the flight.

3. Within a maximum distance of 120m from the earth's surface, unless a lower restriction applies.

4. Reasonable expectation no uninvolved persons will be overflown.

5. No operations over Assemblies of People.

6. Operated in airspace and/or Geographic Zones that permit Open Category operations.

In time this drone might become a C1 labelled aircraft, but as yet it is not. Unless this changes, this drone will move to Open A3 category operations only on 01 Jan 2024.

DJI Avata Born to fly

09/06/2022

Always fly in compliance with regulations!! The IAA has been busy of late following their regulatory requirement to investigate breaches of regulation.

09/06/2022

The IAA certainly have been busy recently!

Many Specific category operators will receive their permission to operate based on the PDRAS01 risk assessment.

A 'Controlled Ground Area' forms a key element of the operational risk mitigation and requires the Operator ensure only those persons briefed or involved in the operation are located inside this area. Not implementing it means an operator is not complying with their 'operational authorisation' if their permission is based on PDRAS01.

It's not easy to practically implement the CGA and during our courses here at Safe Drone Academy, there is usually much debate about their use. There are alternative approaches however! Reach out to us to discuss approvals without the need for CGA.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02bRYAkEutEFZMXkyRmDJveagmqzCm39YJybxMgVSycdHWoFNfqApyYNbukZ4EvRNvl&id=100067585009824

30/05/2022

Operating drones includes some element of risk that must be mitigated to ensure those uninvolved in the operation are not in danger. Remote pilots should also consider the risk of prosecution for illegally operating drones.

A filmmaker who operated a "high-risk" drone flight to get footage of a demonstration at the Israeli embassy in Dublin, has been given a chance to avoid a court conviction.

10/05/2022

Exam Time!!!

Did you know at Safe Drone Academy we schedule Open A2 and Specific Category (PDRA & SORA) exams at least once a week. Exams are all online. Our state of the art exam proctoring system ensures full regulatory compliance and exam integrity and is very simple for students to engage with. Most importantly, our exam success rate is in excess of 98%. All our courses are online and integrated into our Learning Management System.

Why not take your course and exam with Safe Drone Academy.

https://safedrone.ie/upcoming-drone-courses/