Transport Malta is considering changes to its “restrictive” proposed regulations on drone use, including amending a blanket ban on flights within 7.5 kilometres of the airport boundaries.
Captain Charles Pace, a member of the Transport Malta board, told Times of Malta the changes were being considered after a public consultation period revealed concerns from operators about the extent of the restrictions set to be introduced on the fast-growing industry.
The draft legal notice, first published in February and the first to address the use of Remote Piloted Aircraft (RPAs), proposes limiting the use of drones to specific “designated areas” as well as providing for registration, insurance, airworthiness tests and training for operators.
Capt. Pace, however, said the authority was now taking a step back and reconsidering aspects of the regulations in light of the public consultation, as well as new guidelines expected to be produced by the European Aviation Safety Agency by the end of the year.
“We don’t want to rush and come out with something that will have to be changed immediately,” he said.
The main areas of contention include the limiting of drone flights to specific designated areas, rather than simply prohibiting use within defined no-fly zones, as well as banning all flights within 7.5 kilometres of the airport.
The restriction, drawn from similar regulations in other countries, would result in operators not being allowed to fly anywhere within a wide arc encompassing the whole southern portion of the island, and as far north as Mosta and Dingli.
What we need are sensible regulations
Capt. Pace added that changes would also be made to ensure a clearer distinction between hobbyists and commercial operators.
Paul Green, a commercial operator offering aerial film and photography services, said he had recently been forced to suspend operations due to a lack of guidance over the regulations.
He said the proposed regulations showed a lack of understanding of drone technology and the precautions already in place.
Most drones, he pointed out, were designed with GPS restrictions embedded in their firmware, which automatically prevented them from being flown close to the airport, as well as imposing height restrictions in a wider radius.
In the absence of official training, Mr Green added, most flight operators already undertook to ensure they were as competent as possible.
“What we need are sensible regulations that are open and easy to understand. This is like telling hunters you can buy a gun but you can’t shoot it anywhere, even on a range,” Mr Green said. “The government should be encouraging the industry and the development of our own systems. This is becoming huge business not just in Malta but all around the world.”
Another drone operator who spoke to this newspaper said he was concerned about the effect that “excessive red-tape” would have on small businesses, which he said were already struggling to viably obtain the necessary permits and insurance for short events.