The pilot who flew a drone near Monday’s Anzac Day commemorations in Mandurah has defended the flyover, saying he was commissioned by the Mandurah RSL to record the last time veterans would march across the Old Mandurah Bridge.
Colin Bartley, from the aerial photography business Sky Pixels, said he was honoured to be asked to record the Mandurah Anzac Day services as his great-grandfather was on of the first to land on the shores of Gallipoli with the 11th Battalion.
Mr Bartlety said the business was approved by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and the drone was kept the required distance from the services.
“I have total respect for Anzac Day and the dawn service and only limited the drone to flying only once at the very beginning of the Dawn Service and once again at the very end,” he said.
“It was not flown during the service and definitely not during the minute silence and was always flown at a considerable distance from the service.”
On Monday, CASA’s aviation safety director Mark Skidmore warned pilots about the risks of flying drones near Anzac Day ceremonies.
“While it is understandable some people might like to get pictures and videos of these events using drones it must be understood drones can pose a risk to people and aircraft,” he said.
“In simple terms, drones must be kept well away from people and aircraft and they must not be flown in a way that causes a hazard.”
Mr Bartley said he complied with all CASA regulations during the event.
