Drone convention takes off: where to fly? Not in Logan

SCHOOLS are gearing up for the careers of the future with drone technology, which is banned in Logan City parks.

THE careers of the future hinge on drone technology which was the high-flying subject attracting the best minds in the industry to a convention in Brisbane this morning.

As part of the state government’s strategy to make Queensland the drone capital of Australia, students, academics, business and government converged on the Exhibition and Convention Centre for one of the largest unmanned automated vehicle conferences in the world.

Logan’s Mable Park State High School was represented at the conference.

The school was the first in the state to offer a Certificate III in Aviation in 2017.

Students who complete the course, as part of their high school studies, will leave school with a nationally recognised qualification.

Mabel Park State High School Year 12 student Xavier Foo-Chong, 17, with principal Mick Hornby fly a drone at the school. PHOTO: Peter Wallis

Thirteen students from Mabel Park and eight from Woodridge State High started the course last year, and hope to complete the certificate in Term 4 this year.

At the convention centre, they told of their love of the course and the benefits of acquiring the certificate at the convention centre on Thursday.

When they complete the course, they hope to gain a CASA qualification such as an ReOC and RePL.

Principal Michael Hornby said he was proud of the school’s drone piloting course.

“It’s a first for Queensland schools and can lead to jobs in photography, surveying, firefighting and real estate just to name a few.”

Many of the Mabel Park students, who live in Logan City, practise their skills at home in their backyards, which is legal as long as they adhere to CASA rules.

Unlike in Brisbane, which has 10 regulated parks for drone use, Logan City Council said none of its 900 parks or reserves could be used to fly drones.

In Brisbane, parks can be used for drones if the user adheres to Civil Aviation Safety Authority regulations.

Under the regulations you have to get consent from Brisbane City Council to fly drones heavier than 500g. They can also only be flown at speeds up to 15km/h.

Woodridge MP and Minister for State Development Cameron Dick said the state’s Drones Strategy, the first of its kind in Australia, would ensure Queensland has the right policies and programs in place to back future technologies, regulate their use and create jobs.

“We’re the only state in Australia with a strategy to capitalise on the growth of this sector,” he said.

“Our highly-skilled workforce and support for platform technologies through programs like our $15 million Industry Tech Fund puts us in a very strong position.

“Local drone businesses cover a range of sectors — everything from accident investigations to surveying and farming and international companies like Terra Drone and Trumbull Unmanned.”

■ The World of Drones Congress is at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre until tomorrow, Friday, August 10.