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The interest in and operation of small unmanned aircraft (SUA) has continued to increase significantly across the Cayman Islands particularly in the congested areas of West Bay,Seven Mile Beach, George Town and in the vicinity of the airports. Such operations pose ahigh risk of an incident or accident involving an SUA and a conventional aircraft. In additionto aircraft taking off and landing at the airports, there are also frequent flights involving theMRCU spray planes and the RCIPS and CIH helicopters all of which operate at low-levelthroughout the Cayman Islands.

As a protective measure, “no-fly” zones were introduced in February 2015 and it is nowillegal to fly an unmanned aircraft within 3 nautical miles of Owen Roberts International Airport (Grand Cayman), Charles Kirkconnell International Airport (Cayman Brac) andEdward Bodden Airfield (Little Cayman) without a specific written permission issued by theCivil Aviation Authority. In addition, a “no fly” zone has also been established around HMPrison Northward and it is illegal to fly an unmanned aircraft within 1 nautical mile of thePrison perimeter without the specific written permission of the Director of Prisons.

Legislation covering the operation of SUA in Cayman Islands airspace can be found in Article73 of the Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) Order 2013 (AN[OT}O 2013) as amended

(http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/2870/article/73/).

Article 73 makes the SUA operator legally responsible for:

The use of an SUA for commercial purposes requires a Permission issued by the CAACI.

Any person who contravenes the provisions of the Article or flies an SUA within the ‘no fly”zones identified above, is guilty of an offence and may be liable, on summary conviction, toa fine not exceeding CI$3,400.00.

Kites

The flying of kites in the vicinity of airports is potentially dangerous to aircraft particularlyduring the taking–off and landing phases. Not only is there a risk that the body of the kitecould damage the aircraft or be ingested by a jet engine with possibly catastrophic results,but the control lines, sometimes made of high tensile steel wire on performance aerobaticmodels, can pose a significant hazard to propeller driven aircraft

Article 71 of the (AN[OT}O 2013) effectively limits the height at which a kite can be flown toa maximum of 100ft above ground level (AGL) within a 3 nautical mile radius of an airport. Beyond this distance, a kite cannot be flown above 200ft AGL within the Cayman Islands.

The rules regulating kite flying may not be generally known and the purpose of this advisoryis to provide the necessary information to allow the public to understand the potentialhazards to aviation and to enjoy this recreational activity within the limits established bylaw.

In the Cayman Islands this danger was exemplified during 2017 when a helicopter was badlydamaged and a crew member injured as a result of it colliding with the control wire of a kitebeing flown well above the maximum permitted height. The aircraft was able to land safely,however, the incident could easily have resulted in the loss of helicopter and the lives ofthose on board. Subsequently, the owner/operator of the kite was prosecuted and sentenceis awaited.

In order to protect the safety of aircraft, the operators of kites being flown above theheights specified are liable to be prosecuted and may have their equipment confiscated.

Fireworks and Light Displays

Firework displays can vary from small domestic events to major commercial or ceremonialdisplays whilst light shows include all outdoor laser and searchlight displays. The associatedrisk posed by these events is increased when the activities take place in the vicinity ofaerodromes, particularly during critical phases of flight including approach, landing andtake-off.

Organizers planning firework and light displays during the coming season are reminded ofthe legal requirement under Article 165 of the (AN[OT}O 2013) to coordinate their proposedevents with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands (CAACI) in order to preventpotential threats to aircraft operations.

Coordination with the CAACI is required for all firework activity that takes place within 3nautical miles of an airport or under the approach and departure paths. Firework displaysoutside this area where the display height is expected to exceed 200ft above ground level must also be coordinated with the CAACI. Proposed laser and searchlight events within thesame areas are similarly subject to coordination with and approval by the CAACI.

Firework, Laser and Light displays which come into this category must be formally approvedin advance by the CAACI and will incur the appropriate fee, as per the Air Navigation(Overseas Territories) Order Fees Regulation 2010.

In addition, the indiscriminate use of hand–held lasers can endanger an aircraft, itsoccupants and people on the ground if the crew is blinded by it. In recent years there havebeen several reports of lasers being directed into the cockpit of aircraft and during 2017 anindividual was successfully prosecuted for endangering an aircraft by the dangerous use of alaser.

Sky Lanterns

Sky Lanterns are forming an increasingly significant part of community and individualcelebrations in the Cayman Islands and the number and size of lanterns being released is increasing to a point where they can pose a hazard to aircraft.

Unlike other forms of recreational and celebratory activities including SUA and kite flying,firework displays and laser light shows, all of which can be controlled from the ground, sky lanterns cannot be controlled once released and the larger lanterns, some of which exceed4ft in height and diameter, are able to climb in the prevailing wind to a height of severalthousands of feet.

Many such products are described by the manufacturers or the retailers as being “biodegradable” inferring that they burn themselves out and leave no trace behind them. Whilstthis may be true of successful launches over the sea, it is not necessarily the case of Sky lanterns which are blown back over the land. There are documented incidents in which fireshave been started, property destroyed or damaged by the smouldering remains and oflivestock injured form digesting bamboo or wire debris.

In addition, the risk to aviation is obvious and although there is currently no legislation inplace to regulate the release of sky lanterns the need for caution and careful planningbefore a launch will be equally obvious.

Any individual or organization planning to release sky lanterns should consider theirpersonal liability in the event that damage to property or injury to humans or animals iscaused either by the release of a sky lantern or the debris generated by them.

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COMMUNITY EVENTS (Date Order)

Scott’s Dock Announcement

Department of Agriculture Sales Section

Cayman Islands High School Reunion

Overseas Scholarship Applications