news, local-news, tasmania, sausage, sizzle, drone, fine

Some people will go to great lengths to get hold of a Bunnings sausage in bread. But one frankfurter fan appears to have gone too far by using a drone to pick one up from his nearest hardware outlet. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is investigating after a video was uploaded to YouTube showing a man piloting a drone to a Sunbury Bunnings carpark while he sat in his home. The video has since been deleted, however CASA spokesperson Peter Gibson said the incident potentially breached a number of drone regulations. These included use of a drone within 30 metres of people, use out of the line of sight and use over a populous area. "You can clearly see people walking to and from their cars, you can clearly see people around the sausage sizzle," he said. Mr Gibson said the video showed a drone flying over a housing estate, crossing a four-lane road before hovering over the Bunnings barbecue. An alleged accomplice then places a snag into a receptacle which is connected to the drone by a string. It is unclear if the man asked for onions. Mr Gibson said the rising popularity of drones meant authorities had a busy time on their hands making sure the flying machines were used within safety laws. "The takeout message is simple, the drone rules are there to protect people and property," he said. "This is a classic example of a place where you should never fly a drone." With Christmas coming up and drones sure to feature in plenty of stockings, Mr Gibson said any new owners should read up on exactly what they are allowed to do. "We want to see people have fun with their drones but if you don't respect the rules then you putting people at risk and there are penalties for doing that," Mr Gibson said. The man faces fines of up to $9000 for breaching drone rules.

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