1. The technological development of drones or Remote
Pilot Aircraft Systems (RPAS) has accelerated
rapidly since the early 2000’s, with business’s
continually finding new and innovative ways for
their use. Drones are used in various industries for
many purposes, such as monitoring, agriculture,
the inspection of infrastructure, photography and
even anti-poaching activities. Recent Goldman
Sachs research has valued global drone sales for
commercial purposes at $20 billion per year.
Before July 2015, the flying of drones in the
South African air space was unregulated and
essentially illegal. All this changed however with
new regulations that came into effect on the 1st July
last year, introducing a framework for where and
how drones can be flown, and who is allowed
to fly them. South Africa became one of the first
countries in the world with a comprehensive drone
law, placing it as world leader in drone regulation.
Many other countries have since followed suit.
According to Airborne Insurance MD Scott Smith,
while there may be less red tape, those looking
to make use of drones in their own businesses
are still subject to many important regulations and
responsibilities.
“Navigating this emerging space and mitigating
risk requires broad industry know-how and
experience,” he says. “With our clients looking
to take advantage of this new technology and the
popularity of drones growing at such a rapid rate,
it was only natural that we expand our aviation
insurance service offering to cover drones in
business and commercial use.”
INSIGHTS FROM AFRICA’S FASTEST GROWING AVIATION BROKERAGE
GAUTENG WOMEN IN INSURANCE GOLF DAY
On the 1st October, Airborne participated in the inaugural Gauteng Women in Insurance Golf Day. The event was held at the beautiful CMR Golf
Club, where we were welcomed with strawberry and mint water flavoured with a dash of Smirnoff. This set the scene for the rest of the day, where
lots of fun was had at the various watering holes sponsored by the likes of Emerald and Hollard. Nine holes were played throughout the course
of the day, with the last hole being played as the sun set, making for a beautiful view. Prize giving and some delicious snacks where served in the
clubhouse after the game. We look forward to participating in this enjoyable event again next year!
INSIGHTS FROM AFRICA’S FASTEST GROWING AVIATION BROKERAGE
A I R B R N E
INSURANCE CONSULTANTS
LEADING EXPERTS IN AIRCRAFT INSURANCE
CONTACT US ON (011) 467 8577 OR EMAIL: INFO@AIRBORNEINSURANCE.CO.ZA
WWW.AIRBORNEINSURANCE.CO.ZA
TEAM AIRBORNE AT THE GRAND CENTRAL FUN NAV RALLY 2015
On the morning of the 3rd of October,
Airborne’s Jonathan Smook and Janice Ray
arrived at Grand Central Aerodrome in
Midrand to beautiful sunny weather and clear
skies – the perfect weather conditions for a
Nav Rally.
After a quick cup of coffee and breakfast,
the team received their blank map and clue
sheet required to work out and plot their
points. With some advice and guidance from
the professional class navigation pilots who
organised the event, the teams set off. This
entailed locating the starting point, each turn
point as well as the finish point by deciphering
a set of cryptic clues. Thereafter each team had
to measure the bearings required for every leg,
and then familiarise themselves with each turn
point as well as reviewing the enroute photos
that were needed to spot and mark on the map
along the route.
After a short safety briefing, all of the
participants received their timing sheets in
order to plot in the exact times that they had to
be over all the turn points. Having nominated
a speed of 100 knots on the Cessna 182
that Janice and Jonathan were flying, team
Airborne was the fastest aircraft in the group
on the day, making navigating and photo
identification slightly more difficult with less
time to identify each point.
At exactly 10:30am, Janice and Jonathan got
airborne of runway 35 at Grand Central and
made their way to the start point. Once over
the start point the fun began, with both team
members looking all around in order to spot
the enroute photos and locate the next turn
point, whilst simultaneously keeping an eye on
the stopwatch to reference if they were on time
for the next turn point.
After crossing the finish line Janice and
Jonathan joined Grand Central and started
configuring the aircraft for the spot landing that
was to follow. A white chalk line was drawn
across the runway in line with the PAPIs, with
teams penalised for every metre they landed
before or after the line. After the spot landing,
everyone made their way back to the Harvard
Café to hand in their loggers and await the
final results.
At the prize giving that followed, team
Airborne achieved a notable second place –
even more impressive when one considers that
both Janice and Jonathan are still very new to
this kind of event. What a great effort guys
and a job very well done! Airborne Insurance
sponsored the second and third prizes at the
event, which, judging by the beaming smiles
on everyone’s faces as they disembarked and
the friendly chatter between teams, was very
much enjoyed.
RISE OF THE DRONE
A I R B R N E
INSURANCE CONSULTANTS
Drone do’s and don’ts…
1. You need to have a CAA approved
and valid remote pilot licence as well
as a letter of approval to fly a drone for
commercial or business reasons.
2. Drones cannot fly more than 400ft or
120m above the ground, nor within in
10km of an aerodrome.
3. Drones cannot be flown within 50m
above or close to a person or crowd of
people, structure or building – without
prior SACAA approval. Nor can you fly
drones adjacent to or above a nuclear
power plant, prison, police station, crime
scene, court of law or national key points.
4. You cannot use a public road for the take-
off or landing of a drone.
5. You cannot use a drone in adverse
weather conditions or where your view
of the drone is obstructed since visual
contact must be maintained with the RPA
by the operator – unless in approved
beyond visual line of sight or night
operations.
6. Drones need to give way to all manned
aircraft and should avoid passing over,
under or in front of manned aircraft,
unless it passes well clear and takes
into account the effect of aircraft wake
turbulence.
7. RPA pilots will be required to tune into
the air traffic services for the controlled
airspace they will be flying the drone,
reporting co-ordinates to said traffic
controllers – all flight activity also needs
to be recorded in a logbook.
8. Drones cannot be used to transport cargo
or make deliveries.
9. Drones cannot tow another aircraft,
perform aerial or aerobatic displays or
be flown in formation or swarm.
10. All incidents involving an RPA must be
reported, especially where there is any
injury to a person; damage to property;
or destruction of the RPA beyond
economical repair.
The full details of the CAA Aviation regulations related to RPAS Part
101 can be found on www.caa.co.za.
Airborne’s specialist drone insurance covers loss,
damage and liability related to the drone itself, as well
as transport, hangarkeepers and personal liability.
One can even insure against loss of data collected by
one’s drone, known as Cyber Risk.
“We only insure registered drones that are operated
by qualified drone pilots,” adds Smith. “In this way
we are able to minimise risks and keep costs as low
as possible, while meeting the needs of our clients.”
Insured operators must hold a Remote Pilot’s Licence or
RPL, which entails passing a medical exam, obtaining
a radio telephony licence (which includes knowing
all the rules that govern the act of flying a drone for
commercial purposes), passing a number of theory
and practical exams, being at least 18 years old and
proficient in English.
Airborne has put together a specialised
Drone Insurance Product, so for any
queries regarding drones please do not
hesitate to contact Byron Walters on
byron@airborneinsurance.co.za or 084
830 1355 / 011 467 8577. Byron is the
newest member of our sales team as well
as a commercial helicopter pilot who flies
his own drones, and as such, is uniquely
placed to answer any questions you may
have. We look forward to hearing from
you!
Stemme Patrol
Schiebel S100
Alta 8 DJI Phantom 4
Super Bat
If you would like to learn more about drones, South Africa¹s first Drone Conference
will be taking place at Emperor’s Palace Convention Centre on the 17th and 18th November 2016.
For more information please visit www.dronecon.co.za.