Two potentially hazardous drone flights in the last two weeks near the Kelowna International Airport have prompted police attention.
The first incident was around 5 p.m. July 27, when a personal drone being flown north of Wood Lake was in the flight path of the airport.
Then on Thursday, a second report was received that a drone was flying within the 5.6-kilometres no-fly zone around the airport.
“Flying a drone in the vicinity of an airport not only poses a significant safety risk to the passengers and crew members on board all incoming and outgoing flights, but also to the members of the general public below,” Const. Mike Della-Paolera of the Kelowna RCMP said.
“We also encourage you to call the police immediately if you notice suspicious activity or witness the dangerous operation of a drone towards persons, properties, other aircraft, or within 5.5 kms of any airport.
- 2 seriously hurt, 11 others injured in B.C. crash that shut down Highway 99
- Multi-vehicle crash including double-decker bus closes Highway 99 in Delta
- Cause of fiery Calgary bus crash that killed 3 passengers, injured 16 under investigation
- Young father killed when motorcycle crashes into Edmonton bus shelter
Get daily National news
“Both these events are being investigated by the RCMP because of the dangers that drones pose to commercial and non-commercial aircraft.”
The RCMP recognizes that guidelines and regulations around the use of drones are continuing to evolve and asks operators to respect the safety tips and guidelines as outlined by Transport Canada.
For more information, please visit the government of Canada information web page.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.