RPAS/Drone Occurrences – Investigations Methodologies

Allen Reynolds made this Official Information request to Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand

The request was refused by Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand.

From: Allen Reynolds

hello CAA

You supplied numbers for “RPAS Reports Received Annually”, and for “Number of RPAS investigations resulting in written warnings”, and “…in infringement notices” – refs below. You likely also investigated some reports that did NOT result in written warnings or infringement notices.

For the period – 01 January 2016 to 31 December 2021, and for 01 January to 31 May 2022

Question: What was/were the investigation methodology(s) used FOR EACH occurrence investigated that resulted in a written warning, in an infringement notice, or no action. A table in Excel format, or as a pdf of such, would suffice.

Methodologies you should indicate use of include, but are not limited to:

Electronic contact with the reporter – by email, text message, and/or fax
Voice contact with the reporter – by mobile phone and/or landline, or in person
Written contact both to and from the reporter
Physical visit to the locality of the occurrence, with or without the company of the reporter

Electronic contact with the alleged flyer – by email, text message, and/or fax
Voice contact with the alleged flyer – by mobile phone and/or landline, or in person
Written contact both to and from the alleged flyer
Physical visit to the locality of the occurrence, with or without the company of the alleged flyer

Any actions to seek corroborative evidence –
such as seeking witnesses at the locality, and seeking witnesses to the occurrence,
or seeking any publicly-posted video or photographic records of the occurrence,
or use of videos or photographs from the reporter

(Because I’m sure CAA doesn’t just take at face value, the word of random strangers…)

Your data was supplied in reply to FYI member ‘Oscar’ –
https://fyi.org.nz/request/19310-drone-i...

In the file –
2022 05 31 Response to 22OIR230 SIGNED DIH.pdf

Thanks
Allen

Link to this

Allen Reynolds left an annotation ()

just a thought - perhaps CAA were alerted by 'another agency'
and just did the billings and warnings...

I hear the Police are quite good at catching perps...

Link to this

From: Bridgette Chisnall
Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand

Tçnâ koe 

I acknowledge receipt of your OIA requests to CAA dated 2 June 2022. These
requests have been consolidated in accordance with s 18(A)(2) of the
Official Information Act 1982. We will endeavour to respond to your
request as soon as possible and in any event no later than 4 July 2022,
being 20 working days after your request was received. 

If we are unable to respond to your request by then, we will notify you of
an extension of that timeframe. Your request is being handled by the OIA
Team. If you have any queries, please feel free to contact us at
[CAA request email] with the reference 22/OIR/253.

If any additional factors come to light which are relevant to your
request, please do not hesitate to contact us so that these can be taken
into account.             

 

Nâku noa, nâ

 

Bridgette Chisnall (she/her) | Official Information Coordinator

Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand | Aviation Security Service

Te Mana Rererangi Tûmatanui o Aotearoa  |  Kaiwhakamaru Rererangi

Level 8, Aon Centre, 1 Willis Street, Wellington 6011, PO Box 3555,
Wellington, 6140, New Zealand

(DDI) +64 4830 0528

Please note that I am currently working part-time, usually between the
hours of 8am – 1pm. For urgent requests please contact [1][CAA request email].

 

This e-mail (and its accompanying attachments) is intended for the named
recipient only and may contain information that is confidential and
subject to legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient please
inform the sender and destroy the message. If you have received this
message in error you must not distribute or copy this e-mail or its
attachments. The Civil Aviation Authority accepts no responsibility for
any changes made to this message after the transmission from the Civil
Aviation Authority. Before opening or using attachments, check them for
viruses and other effects. This communication may be accessed or retained
for information assurance and cyber security purposes.

References

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1. mailto:[CAA request email]

Link to this

From: Bridgette Chisnall
Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand

Tçnâ koe 

I acknowledge receipt of your OIA requests to CAA dated 2 June 2022. These
requests have been consolidated in accordance with s 18(A)(2) of the
Official Information Act 1982. We will endeavour to respond to your
request as soon as possible and in any event no later than 4 July 2022,
being 20 working days after your request was received. 

If we are unable to respond to your request by then, we will notify you of
an extension of that timeframe. Your request is being handled by the OIA
Team. If you have any queries, please feel free to contact us at
[CAA request email] with the reference 22/OIR/253.

If any additional factors come to light which are relevant to your
request, please do not hesitate to contact us so that these can be taken
into account.             

 

Nâku noa, nâ

 

Bridgette Chisnall (she/her) | Official Information Coordinator

Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand | Aviation Security Service

Te Mana Rererangi Tûmatanui o Aotearoa  |  Kaiwhakamaru Rererangi

Level 8, Aon Centre, 1 Willis Street, Wellington 6011, PO Box 3555,
Wellington, 6140, New Zealand

(DDI) +64 4830 0528

Please note that I am currently working part-time, usually between the
hours of 8am – 1pm. For urgent requests please contact [1][CAA request email].

 

This e-mail (and its accompanying attachments) is intended for the named
recipient only and may contain information that is confidential and
subject to legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient please
inform the sender and destroy the message. If you have received this
message in error you must not distribute or copy this e-mail or its
attachments. The Civil Aviation Authority accepts no responsibility for
any changes made to this message after the transmission from the Civil
Aviation Authority. Before opening or using attachments, check them for
viruses and other effects. This communication may be accessed or retained
for information assurance and cyber security purposes.

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[CAA request email]

Link to this

From: Allen Reynolds

thank you Bridgette

I did ask as two separate OIA's because they seemed to be very different questions, and answers
- how EACH occurrence was investigated - lotsa detail...
- the numbers of investigated occurences that weren't 'penalised' - a number for each year

still... let's see what you come up with...

Allen

Link to this

From: Talia Zachariah
Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand


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Tçnâ koe Allen,

I am writing in reply to your two OIA requests to CAA dated 2 June 2022
which has been consolidated and responded to as below –

 

 1. For each year – 2014 to 2021, and part-2022 to 31 May - how many
reports were ‘investigated’* and did NOT result in written warning(s),
infringement notice(s) or prosecution(s).

 

Key:

NFA – No further action

NOD – No offence disclosed

EL – Educational Letter

ROA – Referred to Other Agency

 

Number of RPAS investigations closed with outcomes other than written warning, infringement and
prosecution
January February March April May June July August September October November December
2014                        
2015                        
2016                        
2017           1     1 (NFA)      
(NFA)
2018                        
2019   1 (NFA)                    
2020 1 (NFA) 1 (NFA)   1 1 1            
(ROA) (NFA) (ROA)
2021         1         1 (NFA)
(NOD)

1
(EL)    
2022                    
(to
31-May)    

 

 

 2. What was/were the investigation methodology(s) used FOR EACH
occurrence investigated that resulted in a written warning, in an
infringement notice, or no action.  A table in Excel format, or as a
pdf of such, would suffice.

 

From the data we have previously released on RPAS investigation (on which
basis your OIA request has been raised) and from the data provided above,
we can advise that there are about 75 RPAS investigations that has
resulted in either a written warning, infringement notice or a No Further
Action (NFA) from 2016 to present. Your request for investigation
methodologies would involve a manual search through these 75 files with an
estimated 15-30 minutes time spent on each file that will require almost
38 hours of full-time work to complete this task. This will have a
significant impact on the Authority’s other operations.  

 

Therefore, due to the substantial amount of work that would be required to
research and collate the information you have requested, we are refusing
your request under section 18(f) of the OIA. For the reasons explained
above, we consider that charging or extending the timeframe for responding
to your request would not help.  

 

We are able to advise that investigation on occurrences is guided by the
Authority’s Regulatory Strategy, consideration of the Solicitor General
Guidelines and public interest factors. All of the investigation
methodologies described in your request like electronic contact with the
submitter/alleged flyer etc are used dependant on how the
submitter/reporter has reported the occurrence and how they have requested
to be communicated with.

 

Civil Aviation Authority utilises a number of different sources to
corroborate evidence such as tracking data, social media, manufacturer
guidelines/standards, Airways NZ data, NZ Police information, witnesses,
SME etc.

 

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of
this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
[1]www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.

 

Please contact me at [2][CAA request email] should you have any questions in
this regard.

 

Ngâ mihi

Talia Rachel Zachariah (she/her)*

Official Information Advisor | Kaitohutohu

Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand | Aviation Security Service

Te Mana Rererangi Tûmatanui o Aotearoa | Kaiwhakamaru Rererangi

Level 15 | Asteron Centre | 55 Featherston Street | PO Box 3555 |
Wellington | 6011

 

[3]image002 (2)  [4]avsecSeal

 

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic mail transmission is confidential,
may be privileged and should be read or retained only by the intended
recipient. If you have received this transmission in error, please
immediately notify the sender and delete it from your system.

 

*If you’re wondering about the use of the pronouns he/him on this
signature, [5]read this article about how sharing pronouns in this way can
help create an inclusive and safe environment for transgender and
nonbinary colleagues

 

 

This e-mail (and its accompanying attachments) is intended for the named
recipient only and may contain information that is confidential and
subject to legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient please
inform the sender and destroy the message. If you have received this
message in error you must not distribute or copy this e-mail or its
attachments. The Civil Aviation Authority accepts no responsibility for
any changes made to this message after the transmission from the Civil
Aviation Authority. Before opening or using attachments, check them for
viruses and other effects. This communication may be accessed or retained
for information assurance and cyber security purposes.

References

Visible links
1. http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/
2. mailto:[CAA request email]
5. https://medium.com/gender-inclusivit/why...

Link to this

From: Talia Zachariah
Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand


Attachment image001.png
5K Download

Attachment image002.jpg
1K Download


Tçnâ koe Allen,

I am writing in reply to your two OIA requests to CAA dated 2 June 2022
which has been consolidated and responded to as below –

 

 1. For each year – 2014 to 2021, and part-2022 to 31 May - how many
reports were ‘investigated’* and did NOT result in written warning(s),
infringement notice(s) or prosecution(s).

 

Key:

NFA – No further action

NOD – No offence disclosed

EL – Educational Letter

ROA – Referred to Other Agency

 

Number of RPAS investigations closed with outcomes other than written warning, infringement and
prosecution
January February March April May June July August September October November December
2014                        
2015                        
2016                        
2017           1     1 (NFA)      
(NFA)
2018                        
2019   1 (NFA)                    
2020 1 (NFA) 1 (NFA)   1 1 1            
(ROA) (NFA) (ROA)
2021         1         1 (NFA)
(NOD)

1
(EL)    
2022                    
(to
31-May)    

 

 

 2. What was/were the investigation methodology(s) used FOR EACH
occurrence investigated that resulted in a written warning, in an
infringement notice, or no action.  A table in Excel format, or as a
pdf of such, would suffice.

 

From the data we have previously released on RPAS investigation (on which
basis your OIA request has been raised) and from the data provided above,
we can advise that there are about 75 RPAS investigations that has
resulted in either a written warning, infringement notice or a No Further
Action (NFA) from 2016 to present. Your request for investigation
methodologies would involve a manual search through these 75 files with an
estimated 15-30 minutes time spent on each file that will require almost
38 hours of full-time work to complete this task. This will have a
significant impact on the Authority’s other operations.  

 

Therefore, due to the substantial amount of work that would be required to
research and collate the information you have requested, we are refusing
your request under section 18(f) of the OIA. For the reasons explained
above, we consider that charging or extending the timeframe for responding
to your request would not help.  

 

We are able to advise that investigation on occurrences is guided by the
Authority’s Regulatory Strategy, consideration of the Solicitor General
Guidelines and public interest factors. All of the investigation
methodologies described in your request like electronic contact with the
submitter/alleged flyer etc are used dependant on how the
submitter/reporter has reported the occurrence and how they have requested
to be communicated with.

 

Civil Aviation Authority utilises a number of different sources to
corroborate evidence such as tracking data, social media, manufacturer
guidelines/standards, Airways NZ data, NZ Police information, witnesses,
SME etc.

 

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of
this decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
[1]www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.

 

Please contact me at [2][CAA request email] should you have any questions in
this regard.

 

Ngâ mihi

Talia Rachel Zachariah (she/her)*

Official Information Advisor | Kaitohutohu

Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand | Aviation Security Service

Te Mana Rererangi Tûmatanui o Aotearoa | Kaiwhakamaru Rererangi

Level 15 | Asteron Centre | 55 Featherston Street | PO Box 3555 |
Wellington | 6011

 

[3]image002 (2)  [4]avsecSeal

 

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This electronic mail transmission is confidential,
may be privileged and should be read or retained only by the intended
recipient. If you have received this transmission in error, please
immediately notify the sender and delete it from your system.

 

*If you’re wondering about the use of the pronouns he/him on this
signature, [5]read this article about how sharing pronouns in this way can
help create an inclusive and safe environment for transgender and
nonbinary colleagues

 

 

This e-mail (and its accompanying attachments) is intended for the named
recipient only and may contain information that is confidential and
subject to legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient please
inform the sender and destroy the message. If you have received this
message in error you must not distribute or copy this e-mail or its
attachments. The Civil Aviation Authority accepts no responsibility for
any changes made to this message after the transmission from the Civil
Aviation Authority. Before opening or using attachments, check them for
viruses and other effects. This communication may be accessed or retained
for information assurance and cyber security purposes.

References

Visible links
1. http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/
2. mailto:[CAA request email]
5. https://medium.com/gender-inclusivit/why...

Link to this

Allen Reynolds left an annotation ()

"we are refusing your request under section 18(f) of the OIA"

"...require almost 38 hours of full-time work to complete this task. This will have a significant impact on the Authority’s other operations"

wow!
one OIA, and CAA grinds to a halt?

Link to this

Things to do with this request

Anyone:
Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand only: