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Taiwan drone pilots protest 'virus-like' growth of no-fly zones

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Drone pilots in Taiwan are protesting the rapid expansion of "no-fly zones," comparing their growth to a "virus."
  • They demand a review of current restrictions, calling for transparent regulations and a more predictable airspace management system.
  • The Civil Aeronautics Administration plans to revert to previous no-fly zone boundaries and implement a "principle of permission, exception of prohibition" for new zones, aiming for a July 24 implementation.

Drone enthusiasts in Taiwan are voicing strong opposition to the proliferation of "no-fly zones," likening their expansion to a "virus." The 313 Anti-Unequal Airspace Alliance, representing drone pilots, gathered about 50 players to protest at the Ministry of Transportation, demanding a review of the current regulations.

The alliance argues that while they support flight safety and reasonable regulations, Taiwan needs a transparent, fair, and predictable airspace management system for drones. They highlight the increasing use of drones in critical sectors like firefighting, disaster relief, agriculture, and filmmaking, yet point to persistent issues in the current airspace system.

We are not against management, nor are we asking for unrestricted open airspace. We support flight safety and reasonable regulations, but we hope Taiwan can establish a safe, transparent, fair, predictable, and socially verifiable drone airspace management system!

— Zhang JunweiSpokesperson for the 313 Anti-Unequal Airspace Alliance, explaining the group's stance on drone regulations.

Their five key demands include establishing clear and public regulations for airspace designation, comprehensively reviewing the reasonableness of existing restricted areas and "red zones," allowing legal flights 30 minutes before sunrise and after sunset, and improving public access to airspace management information and grievance channels.

In response, the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) stated that the no-fly zones will revert to their November 2023 boundaries. Additionally, 23 newly designated zones will operate under a "principle of permission, exception of prohibition." This means drone activities will generally be permitted unless during announced military exercises or major incidents. The CAA aims to implement these changes by July 24, pending local government announcements. The agency also indicated that proposals like allowing flights 30 minutes before and after sunset would be carefully evaluated through the legal amendment process if consensus is reached.

In the past six years, the airspace has grown like a virus.

— Zhang JunweiA spokesperson for the drone pilots' alliance describing the rapid expansion of restricted airspace.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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