Drone-based fishing video sparks air safety investigation
Video shows a drone carrying a man in a chair suspended above the water – and catching a fishAn investigation has been launched into how a group of central Victorian mates went fishing on the Upper Coliban Reservoir using a homemade drone instead of a boat.
The vision, posted on social media, shows one of the men, seated in an aluminium chair attached by a cable to the drone and with a stubbie of beer attached to one of the arms, casting a line while suspended above the water and actually catching a fish.
The drone is now under investigation by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which regulates drone use throughout Australia.
CASA says rules introduced this month require drones to be registered with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority if they are used recreationally and weigh more than 250 grams, or are used commercially.
The new rules also require all drone pilots to either have a remote pilot licence or have completed a short online safety quiz.
“No one in the world sells a human lifting fishing drone, so we built our own,” the video says.
The three-minute video shows an early prototype of the drone spearing out of control, colliding with a gumtree and then spearing into the ground. “Turns out it’s harder than we thought,” it says.
Other tests include towing someone across a paddock, and lifting a bike.
The video shows the bloke, wearing a crash helmet and sunglasses in a nod to safety but no life jacket, safely returns to shore with his fish.
A CASA spokesman confirmed to the ABC that the drone footage was under investigation to see if it breached any safety standards.
Upper Coloban reservoir was opened to recreational fishing earlier this month as part of a state government push to make fishing accessible to more Victorians.
However, powerboats are banned, with only watercraft such as canoes, kayaks and boats with electric motors allowed.
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