'Dangerous' aircraft activity to be allowed over Chichester and parts of Bognor

New temporary measures allowing 'dangerous' aircraft activities in skies above Chichester and Bognor Regis have been confirmed.
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The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has approved a 'temporary danger area' (TDA) for use between April 8 and September 23 this year.

The CAA, defines the zone as 'airspace of defined dimensions within which activities dangerous to the flight of aircraft may exist at specified times'.

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It follows a report from the Air Accident Investigations Bureau found that a drone flying above Goodwood fell from 8,000ft and crashed about 40m from peoples homes, was of poor design and build quality.

The unmanned drone that crashed 40m from homes in 2019The unmanned drone that crashed 40m from homes in 2019
The unmanned drone that crashed 40m from homes in 2019

Whilst performing a demonstration flight at Goodwood Aerodrome, on July 4 2019 a remote pilot lost control of the 95 kg unmanned aircraft, an Alauda Airspeeder Mk II scale demonstrator.

Goodwood drone crash: Aircraft was 'poor quality' investigation findsThe CAA said it approved the TDA for the 'segregation of hazardous activity' and, according to a map of the area shown in the authorities report, the area appears to reach as far north as Cocking, south to Sidlesham, east to cover part of Aldwick and as far west as Emsworth.

In a statement following the Airspeeder crash, a spokesman for the CAA said: “We have already made significant changes to our requirements and oversight following the incident. We have now received the final AAIB report and will be looking to quickly address the recommendations.

"We will keep UAS operators and the wider industry up-to-date and involved in this work."

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