Former Dublin GAA manager
Jim Gavin who is Chief Operations Officer of
the Irish Aviation Authority with Garda
Trevor Hart on Wednesday
Flight warning on drones from former Dubs boss
SANTA may deliver a drone for Christmas, but not the knowledge to fly it safely, warns the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA).
At a press-call on Wednesday (6th December), former Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin, who is the Chief Operations Officer at the IAA, was among those with the organisation, advising consumers to know drone safety rules before flying this Christmas.
The IAA say drones are not a toy and can have “serious consequences if they collide with a person, an animal, an aircraft or an object.”
Drone use has increased significantly in recent years.
The number of drones registered in Ireland has risen exponentially since the IAA introduced the world’s first mandatory drone register in 2015, and more recently the legal requirement through EU regulation.
Since 2021, the IAA has trained over 17,500 drone pilots. 2023 has seen a 25 per cent increase in the number of pilots trained.
Flying a drone makes you a pilot – consumers who own a drone that is over 250gr or has a camera (and is not a toy), are legally required to register as a drone operator.
Clondalkin man Jim Gavin has 30 years of experience in the aviation industry and is a former Commission Officer and military pilot with 20 years of service in Óglaigh na hÉireann, the Irish Defence Forces.
