Near Miss With Drone

A near miss above Vernon has the city reminding residents that flying drone, UAV, and model aircraft near airports is not permitted for safety reasons.

A pilot flying out of the Vernon Airport reported a near miss with a drone last week which has been reported to Transport Canada.

Drones weighing more than 250 grams may not be operated within nine kilometres of an airport, heli-port, water aerodrome, or anywhere aircraft take off and land.

The devices also cant be flown any higher than 90 metres above ground, and no closer than 75 metres from buildings, vehicles, vessels and crowds.

Violators can be fined up to 3-thousand dollars.

Other rules from Transport Canada include not flying drones:

-within nine kilometres of a forest fire

-where it could interfere with police or first responders

-at night or in clouds

-if you can’t keep it in sight at all times

-if you are not within 500 metres of your drone

-if your name, address, and telephone number are not clearly marked on your drone.